An Alaska man hiking near a remote glacier was pinned facedown in an icy creek for three hours by a 700-pound boulder but survived with only minor injuries, thanks to his wife’s quick actions and a timely rescue effort. Kell Morris, 61, was trapped during a hike on a remote trail south of Anchorage over Memorial Day weekend.
The Incident
Kell Morris and his wife, Jo Roop, decided to hike an undeveloped trail near Godwin Glacier in Seward, Alaska, to avoid tourist crowds. The trail followed a rocky creek bed containing large boulders. Morris noted the danger of the boulders but encountered an area he couldn’t easily bypass.
While attempting to navigate the terrain, a 700-pound boulder dislodged and tumbled down, pinning him facedown in the cold creek water. Morris described it as the “whole side slid out from under me,” followed by the impact. Seward Fire Chief Clinton Crites called it “basically an avalanche of boulders.”
Aerial view showing rugged, rocky terrain typical of areas near Alaskan glaciers, illustrating the environment where the incident occurred.
Rocks beneath and around Morris prevented the full weight of the boulder from crushing him, but he was trapped with pain in his left leg, concerned his femur might break.
The Rescue Effort
Jo Roop, a retired Alaska State Trooper, immediately attempted to free her husband for about 30 minutes by trying to lift or roll the boulder using other rocks. When this proved impossible, she left him to find a phone signal to call for help.
Walking nearly 300 meters, she successfully contacted 911. Utilizing her law enforcement background, she provided the exact GPS coordinates of their location to dispatch, which was critical for the rescue.
The trapped location was inaccessible to all-terrain vehicles. A significant stroke of luck came when a local sled dog tourism company operating on the glacier overheard the 911 dispatch call. They offered to send their helicopter to the scene.
Photo shows Kell Morris and his wife, Jo Roop, in Sandpoint, Idaho, after the incident.
When firefighters from Bear Creek Fire Department arrived via the private helicopter, Morris was suffering from hypothermia due to prolonged exposure to the frigid glacier water. Fire Chief Crites stated that without the private helicopter assist, reaching Morris would have taken at least 45 minutes longer, time he might not have had.
Rescuers used ropes, two inflatable airbags typically used for vehicle extraction, and “brute force” to lift the massive boulder just enough. Seven men coordinated a push to create space to pull Morris out from under the rock.
Once freed and out of the water, the crew worked to re-warm him, and his condition improved. Due to the difficult terrain, he could not be transported on the ground. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center was contacted, and the Alaska National Guard’s 176th Wing Pararescue Jumpers were dispatched. A National Guard helicopter hoisted Morris out of the canyon using a rescue blanket and transferred him to a waiting ambulance.
Recovery and Reflection
Morris spent two nights at Seward Providence Hospital for observation. Astonishingly, he was released with only minor injuries. Fire Chief Crites expressed surprise, initially anticipating a body recovery given the circumstances.
Morris attributes his survival to luck and his wife’s efforts. He compared the situation to the plot of the biographical film 127 Hours, where a climber is trapped by a boulder.
The Seward Fire Department highlighted the crucial role of community assistance, specifically thanking Seward Helicopter Tours, fire responders, Alaska State Troopers, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, the 176th Air Wing, and local EMS (SVAC) for the successful outcome.
Following the harrowing experience, Morris indicated they will stick to authorized trails for future hikes, stating, “We’re going to stop the trailblazing.”
Similar Incidents
This event echoes other cases of hikers trapped by boulders. In December 2023, a hiker in the Inyo Mountains in California was trapped under a large boulder estimated to weigh between 6,000 and 10,000 pounds. Volunteer rescuers from Inyo County Search & Rescue worked overnight, using a system of ropes, pulleys, and leverage to free the hiker, who sustained serious injuries.
Photo provided by Inyo County Search & Rescue shows rescuers working at night to free a hiker trapped under a large boulder in the California mountains in December 2023.
These incidents underscore the inherent risks of navigating undeveloped or challenging wilderness terrain.
For more stories on daring rescues and wilderness survival, explore our related coverage.
