A happy ending for Blacktail rescue effort

Recently, my friend went missing at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area. When I alerted Ski patrol that he had not returned from the ski area after lifts had closed, I saw a high level of concern and professionalism kick in. Ski patrol and Jessi Wood, general manager, took control of the situation and got the Sheriff and Search and Rescue involved.  Ski patrol, after working all day during normal ski area operations, were called upon to help out with a night search along with Flathead Search and Rescue. Wood exemplified what a leader is. She too, after working all day, was at the ski area until at least 2 a.m. Then she came back the next morning and facilitated using Muley's bar on the third floor as command center.
Deputy Darrin Wise was exemplary in coordinating the search with Flathead County Search and Rescue, Flathead Nordic Backcountry Patrol, North Valley Search & Rescue, Blacktail Mtn & Big Mtn Ski Patrol personnel and Two Bear Air.
Ultimately, Two Bear Air located my friend and air lifted him out of the snowy forest to the Blacktail Mountain parking lot. His vitals were checked and showed that he was okay. He mentioned he had a made fire during the night; however, it was short-lived and not that helpful to his survival. Shivering, wiggling his toes in his ski boots and trying not to fall asleep were the actions he took to stay alive.
Again, I would like to thank every person involved that made this rescue effort have a happy ending.

Henry Rivera, Columbia Falls