17 January, 1998 
Patroller - Henry Heasler 
Weather conditions: 28 F, 30 to 50 mph winds, heavy snow and 
graupel producing whiteout conditions.  Road very icy.  Two 
Wyoming Highway Department snowplows stuck at end of road. 

Vehicle count at 9:30 am: 
  0 - Corner Mtn 
  0 - Little Laramie 
  61 - end of road 

At 9:35 am the Centennial Visitors Center communicated that 4 
snowmobilers had been reported lost by a group of 6 snowmobilers 
that were going to look for them.  The 6 snowmobilers did not want 
the Sheriff's Department notified until the "rescue" group returned at 
noon.  The 4 snowmobilers included two children, were supposed 
to be in the Gap Lakes area, and were supposed to return on Friday. 

In conjunction with Forest Service personnel, it was decided that I 
should station myself at the end of the road to advise people of the 
avalanche hazard and severe weather conditions. 

At 12:10 pm I was advised by a group of returning snowmobilers that 
they had the missing 4 snowmobilers with them and the 4 wanted 
to see a Ski Patroller.  The four patients were a 7 year old female, 
a 14 year old male, a 48 year old male, and a 45 year old female. 
They had survived the night remarkably well due to proper equipment, 
proper food and water, proper training, and by making safe decisions. 

I stayed at the end of the road advising people of the conditions until 
2:30 pm when I skied to the snow stake (41 inches). 

Vehicle count at 3:30 pm: 
  0 - Corner Mtn 
  0 - Little Laramie 
  28 - end of road