Lost Seattle hiker found safe

A Seattle woman missing for two days while snowshoeing near Snoqualmie Pass was found safe today when she was spotted by a King County helicopter crew.

The woman, Cindy Wysocki, 31, was found shortly after noon as she waved toward the Guardian One chopper. A Navy helicopter with hoisting abilities was brought in, pulled the woman up and flew her to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to Sgt. John Urquhart, spokesman for the King County Sheriff's Office.

Wysocki was in satisfactory condition and was being evaluated in the emergency room, according Harborview spokeswoman Susan Gregg-Hanson.

"They're warming her up, and she's sipping warm soup and able to take fluids," Gregg-Hanson said. "She's talking and in good spirits."

Some friends and family have visited her at the hospital and other family members are en route, she said.

Three helicopters and about 50 searchers were involved in the search after Wysocki went missing Saturday.

She was last seen around 1 p.m. Saturday while snowshoeing with two friends near Snoqualmie Pass on the Denny Creek Trail, Urquhart said.

Wysocki, who Urquhart describes as having an intermediate level of experience on snowshoes, told her two friends who were walking ahead of her that she was heading back to the car. When the two companions turned to follow Wysocki, near Hemlock Pass, she was gone, Urquhart said.

The friends looked for her before alerting authorities at 2:13 a.m. Sunday that she was missing, Urquhart said.

Wysocki was prepared for only a day hike.

Wysocki has been in Seattle 18 months and is a native of Chicago. Her brother was at the search and rescue command post set up on the Denny Creek Trail when they heard the news, Urquhart said.

Search and rescue crews from King, Snohomish, Pierce, Thurston, Skagit, Kitsap and Kittitas counties assisted in looking for the woman. Helicopters from King and Snohomish counties sheriff's offices and from the Navy were involved in the search. Five search and rescue dogs also were brought in. Denny Creek Trail is a popular trail with a modest climb and is used heavily in the fall.

Seattle Times staff reporters Jennifer Sullivan, Natalie Singer and Warren Cornwall contributed to this report.