Deep Snow: 72-Year Old Fairbanks Man Dies Trying To Break Trail Near Copper Lake In The Park

Dangerous Heavy Snows North Of Gakona Lead To Death Of Man Trying To Break Trail In Wrangell-St. Elias National Park 

Two Others Rescued From Fishing Tent Near Tanada Lake 

The Alaska State Troopers, in a special report to the Copper River Country Journal, showed how dangerous the heavy snow cover on the ground north of Gakona actually is. Timothy DeSpain, of the Troopers, told the Journal...

On 02/19/2022 at 1720 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report that individuals at the Wrangell Mountains  Wilderness Lodge (Mile 28 Nabesna Road) located two overdue fishermen who departed the lodge the previous week to stay in a remote cabin and fish Copper Lake in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.  

The men where hunkered down in a fishing tent north of Tanada Lake after a day attempting travel in deep new snow from Copper Lake to the lodge.  

They stated a third man in their party, Daryl Olson, age 72 of Fairbanks, attempted to break trail the night before.  Soon after the initial report, Daryl Olson was found deceased near his snowmachine.  

Alaska Wildlife Troopers and VPSOs responded to the area to assist recovering the fishermen and the deceased.  

The deceased was transported to Crossroad Medical Center in Glennallen pending transport to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Anchorage.  Next of kin were notified.  

National Park Service dispatch was contacted and provided a summary.  No foul play is suspected.