Howling wind, frigid air, 21 inches of snow, and atrocious roads. Anyone living in the Flathead Valley in the last three weeks should be able to relate to that picture.
Most people around the Valley watched the blizzard from inside their homes, but what about the people stuck in the ditch due to icy roads, or lost in woods hunting?
And what about those brave souls who help people in trouble?
There are many mishaps and accidents, especially now that winter has left her calling card, that require help from volunteers. For Flathead County some of these volunteers make up the Search and Rescuea team of 35 adult volunteers and a lone high school student.
Senior Jake Anderson is the boy who was lost hunting behind Ashley Lake. Anderson hiked around, shining a flashlight and calling the boy's name. Luckily, the boy was found.
"If Search and Rescue hadn't found the kid that night, chances are he probably wouldn't have made it much farther," said Anderson. "We were able to stabilize him and he walked out on his own."
On Nov. 24, Anderson hiked Big Mountain in snowshoes, searching for two snow boarders who became lost during the day. Because Big Mountain will not search for skiers lost out of bounds, Search and Rescue was called in. The snow boarders were found, but Anderson didn't get home until 3:30 on Monday morning.
But Search and Rescue is not for everyone,
"It takes a lot of time and dedication for training and missions," said Anderson.
While Anderson emphasizes the work and commitment of Search and Rescue, he says the benefits are worth it.
"It gives me a good feeling to know I helped out finding somebody."