Snowboarders missing

Due to severe weather conditions, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WSCO) suspended a search for Jake Amancio and Drew Lenz, two Bellingham snowboarders who went missing in the Mt. Baker backcountry on Sunday. A roommate of the men reported they were missing to police after they did not return on Sunday evening. Deputies checked the parking lot early Monday morning and located the

missing men’s vehicle.

Despite treacherous conditions, nearly 20 people including local search and rescue personnel, US Border Patrol officers and employees of the Mt. Baker Ski Area searched for the men on Monday until dusk and white-out conditions prevailed. Searchers were unable to find any clues to the snowboarders’ whereabouts. The search resumed Tuesday morning as extreme weather conditions were expected to persist. The decision to suspend the search until the current storm system moves through was taken Tuesday afternoon at 5:30 p.m. The Northwest Avalanche Center had predicted up to 30 inches of snow on Tuesday and 30-40 inches on Wednesday.

Extremely heavy snowfall and high winds have made for extremely hazardous conditions, creating avalanche and visibility concerns, according to WSCO undersheriff Jeff Parks. Up to four feet of snow is expected to fall until Thursday or Friday, Parks reported.

Family and friends arrived at the ski hill on Tuesday as rescue crews continued their search.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Parks said the WSCO will maintain communication with the families of the missing men and will continue the search once the current storm system moves through the area. Friends may search Swift Creek on their own tomorrow, he said.