Good Samaritan Ice Climbers Rescue Skaters After Glacier Calved Onto Alaska Lake, Stranding Them

Two people who were ice skating on Alaska’s Portage Lake this week became stranded when a chunk of glacier fell onto the ice, but they were rescued by nearby ice climbers before first responders arrived, officials said.

Alaska State Troopers received a report shortly after 4 p.m. Monday that two people were stranded on Portage Lake after a piece of the glacier calved onto the lake. The Alaska Department of Public Safety launched a helicopter to respond to the scene along with the U.S. Forest Service, an Army Guard helicopter, and Girdwood Fire and Rescue.

But before rescuers could arrive, good Samaritan ice climbers helped the skaters reach safety, Alaska State Troopers said.

Witness Lauren Jobe told Anchorage Daily News she heard the glacier making an unusual noise and pulled out her phone to record.

“I thought Maybe this is just the sound a glacier makes’,” she told the outlet. “I wanted to show my family and friends. I had half a thought that it would be cool if a piece fell off, thinking that it would be 1/20th of what actually fell off.”

The piece that fell was roughly the size of a building. Jove and her companion were able to get to safety, but Girdwood Fire and Rescue Chief Michelle Weston told the outlet that two skaters were unable to get to a stable chunk of ice.

The area had no cell service, but bystanders were equipped with an InReach satellite communication device and used it to call for help.

Although the skaters were rescued, Girdwood Fire personnel stayed on location to meet the individuals.

“Thank you to the bystanders with inreach and sat phones and friends that were able to relay information to emergency crews, the fire department said. “Reminder to carry extra snacks, warm clothes and an [InReach] or sat phone to prepare for the unexpected. It sounds like this group was well prepared.”