Web posted October 7, 2007

Hiker safe after stormy night on ridge
Man in good condition after hunkering down while scouting Lemon Creek drainage

GREG SKINNER
JUNEAU EMPIRE

Photo by Michael Penn / Juneau Empire

  John Wilcock, 55,receives a hug from his daughter, Mary, while reuniting with his family on Friday after spending the night on Blackerby Ridge. His wife, Penny Saddler, right, and family friend, Pauline Higdon, join in the reunion. Juneau Mountain Rescue, SEADOGS and the Alaska State Troopers participated in the search.

Shortly before midnight Thursday members of local search and rescue teams began to rally for a 15-square-mile search for overdue hiker John Wilcock in the Lemon Creek drainage.

Wilcock, 55, left to scout ski and snowmachine terrain on Blackerby Ridge about 12 hours earlier. Family friend Pauline Higdon said Wilcock's family became nervous when he didn't return for dinner as planned. About 10 p.m. she joined Wilcock's wife Penny and daughter Mary to go look for him. Higdon said they'd only traveled a short distance up the trail before rethinking.

"We could see we needed help," she said.