The white arrow shows where a group of snowmobilers were rescued on Sunday night, Dec. 26.

A group of Baker County snowmobile riders rapidly shifted from recreationists to rescuers Sunday when a group of riders from Washington got lost during a blizzard in the Wallowa Mountains north of Halfway.

The locals, members of the Panhandle Snowmobile Club in eastern Baker County, found the five snowmobilers, none of whom was injured, and escorted them back to a parking area about four hours after the rescue operation started.

The episode showed the value both of the GPS-equipped emergency transmitter the Washington snowmobilers carried, and of having a local cadre of riders who are familiar with the terrain and willing to help others, Baker County Sheriff Travis Ash said on Monday, Dec. 27.

“They made a pretty seamless transition from enjoying their day to a rescue mission,” Ash said of the Panhandle Snowmobile Club members.

Brandon Christensen, a Washington man who is friends with the five snowmobilers, said the riders expressed their gratitude to the Panhandle Club members, Ash and everyone else who assisted in the rescue.

“They were super thankful for all the help,” Christensen said. “It was really amazing how quickly the community banded together.”