A pair of Maine natives trapped in a gully on Mount Ripinski in Haines, Alaska, escaped uninjured on Sunday, according to the Alaska State Police.
Patrick Pritchard, 31, and Erin Kelly, 32, were descending the mountain when they became trapped, according to state police.
Pritchard is originally from Readfield and Kelly is originally from Lincoln, Kelly said in an email.
The pair were about 2 miles northeast of downtown Haines when they got lost. The incident was reported about 5 p.m. Alaska time.
Kelly said the pair “were in a gully surrounded by cliffs” and attempted to climb out of the ravine while waiting for police to arrive.
“We finally scaled a wall using our poles as icepicks and each using one crampon,” Kelly said. “On our way back down the trail, we met with rescuers.”
Police said Pritchard and Kelly were uninjured and the pair declined medical attention.
