Hiker Rescued After Distress Call on Katmai National Park Bear Cam

Katmai National Park’s iconic brown bears, known for captivating a global audience through live trail cameras, turned into unwitting heroes last week as they inadvertently captured a distress call from a stranded hiker on Dumpling Mountain.

Regular followers of the park’s bear cam network, which offers glimpses of the park’s wildlife, were in for an unexpected surprise when they tuned in and witnessed a cold and disoriented hiker seeking help amidst the wilderness.

The incident occurred near the Dumpling Mountain camera, positioned approximately 4 miles from Brooks River and the popular Brooks River Lodge, where visitors gather to observe bears and witness the annual salmon run. A bedraggled hiker emerged on the camera’s frame, struggling through dense fog, drenched, and with their hood drawn tight.

Bear Cam saves a hikers life! Today dedicated bear cam fans alerted us to a man in distress on Dumpling Mountain. The heroic rangers @KatmaiNPS sprung into action and mounted a search saving the man. – more details to come. pic.twitter.com/JzgfApK371

— explore.org (@exploreorg) September 6, 2023

In an extraordinary turn of events, the hiker, whose identity remains undisclosed, conveyed their distress through gestures since the cameras lacked audio capability. The individual initially signaled a thumbs-down before passing in front of the camera and clearly mouthing the word “help.”

Katmai National Park, renowned for its stunning bear population, boasts few trails and absolutely no designated routes on Dumpling Mountain itself. Furthermore, the park is devoid of cellular service, rendering the situation even more precarious.

Swiftly responding to the alarming sight, viewers took to the Internet, expressing concern for the hiker. One viewer posted, “There is someone distressed on the cameras,” while others utilized the Explore.org chat room to alert the organization of the perilous situation unfolding on Dumpling Mountain. Explore.org promptly relayed the information to the National Park Service.

Cynthia Hernandez, spokesperson for the National Park Service, recounted the incident, stating, “The park sent a search and rescue team to find the hiker, who was caught in windy and rainy conditions with poor visibility.” Thankfully, park rangers successfully located the hiker a few hours later, unharmed, and brought them back to safety. The rescue mission was closely monitored by viewers, who watched rangers disappear into the fog as they combed the area.

Katmai National Park is notorious for its harsh weather conditions, given its proximity to the northern Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea. The region experiences frequent storms and high winds. The absence of trees in the predominantly alpine tundra landscape offers minimal shelter, compounding the challenges faced by adventurers. On the day of the rescue, visibility was estimated to be a mere 50 feet.

Mike Fitz, a resident naturalist with Explore.org and former Katmai park ranger, commented on the extraordinary incident, noting, “That was a first for the bear cams for sure.” Fitz, also the mastermind behind the annual online “Fat Bear Week” competition, explained that Katmai’s webcams usually focus on the bears as they prepare for hibernation by feasting on salmon-rich rivers. However, Dumpling Mountain’s camera attracts significantly fewer viewers due to its distant location from bear fishing spots. On the day of the hiker’s rescue, only 19 viewers were tuned in to the camera, witnessing the dramatic call for help that ultimately led to a successful rescue operation.