A report of an injured hiker prompted Girdwood-based Highway patrol troopers to respond to the Portage Valley RV Campground on Saturday evening.

At 4:17 pm, patrol troopers responded to the campground and initiated an investigation into the injured hiker and found that 21-year-old Jacob Colby James of Anchorage had hiked upstream to a hollowed out ice cave. When James climbed into the cave, “a large piece of ice fell on top of him injuring and entrapping him,” troopers reported.

Other hikers at the scene were able to utilize rocks to break up the ice and free James.

The Girdwood Fire Department also responded to the scene and James was able, with the help of two medics, walk out of the area.

Once back to the roadway, James was transported to the Alaska Native Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.[xyz-ihs snippet=”Adsense-responsive”]

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