JACKSON, Wyo. – A Houston man and two other people were rescued Christmas morning in Wyoming after taking refuge in a snow cave they built.
According to the National Park Service, Drew McCord, 32, of Houston, along with Kevin Livingston, 37, and Patrick Callihan, 24, both of Wyoming, were trying to ski Rock Springs Bowl near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, when they got lost and ended up in the Grand Teton National Park.
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Park rangers said that McCord's girlfriend told them about a text message she received about 6:30 p.m. Christmas Eve from the men, which said they were in trouble and needed help. Rangers said they were able to guide the men to an area with better cellphone reception and could communicate with them via text message by 10 p.m. The men said they were uninjured and had the ability to dig a snow cave and build a fire.
The next morning, rescuers skied into the area, followed the groups' ski tracks and found the men in an area known as Cam’s Run, rangers said.
Rangers said the group returned to Teton Village by 1:15 p.m.
The men were cold, but uninjured, rangers said.
Rangers said the men were equipped with basic backcountry ski gear, including avalanche beacons, probes and shovels, but had very little food, water and extra clothing.