Missing hikers rescued near Mt. St. Helens

Six hikers were rescued from a rocky ridge in a forest near Mt. St. Helens on Wednesday, two days after they failed to return from a day trip.

A Coast Guard helicopter plucked the hikers off the ridge one by one in a rescue basket.

The six–three men and three women all in their 20s–were flown to Troutdale, Ore., where they were reunited with family members.

A King County sheriff’s office helicopter spotted the group Wednesday morning, said Dave Cox, Skamania County undersheriff.

The hikers, some dressed only in shorts, had become lost in a forested area.

The group had left Monday to hike in the Wind River Ranger District southeast of Mt. St. Helens and were reported missing Tuesday by co-workers.