Couple’s Quiet Glacier Hike Turns into Harrowing Life-or-Death Ordeal in Alaska
Seward, Alaska — What was meant to be a peaceful escape into the remote Alaskan wilderness turned into a dramatic and nearly fatal rescue mission for a couple hiking near Godwin Glacier. On Memorial Day weekend, 61-year-old Kell Morris was pinned face-down in a frigid creek by a 700-pound boulder, trapped for hours as rescuers raced against time to save his life.
The day began with an attempt to avoid the typical holiday weekend crowds. Morris and his wife, Jo Roop, a retired Alaska State Trooper, had moved to Seward from Idaho last fall and decided to explore a lesser-known area behind a state prison near the Godwin Glacier. Forgoing a traditional trail, the pair followed a rugged rocky creek bed filled with massive glacial boulders—a quiet and remote alternative to more popular routes.
But their tranquil outing quickly turned catastrophic. While navigating the treacherous terrain during their return hike, the entire creek bank suddenly gave way beneath Morris. He was swept down about 20 feet and landed in the freezing waters of the creek—only to be crushed by a falling boulder.
“The whole side slid out from under me,” Morris recalled later. “I didn’t even have time to react.”
‘Basically an avalanche of boulders’
According to Fire Chief Clinton Crites, the incident wasn’t just a rockfall—it was “basically an avalanche of boulders.” One of the massive stones, estimated at over 700 pounds, landed directly on Morris, pinning him face-down in the glacial stream. Miraculously, the way he fell allowed smaller rocks to wedge beneath the boulder, absorbing just enough pressure to keep it from completely crushing him.
Still, Morris was immobilized, in severe pain, and drifting in and out of consciousness in the icy water. His wife, Jo, immediately jumped into action. Drawing on her law enforcement background, she kept his head above water while assessing the situation. For 30 agonizing minutes, she attempted to move the boulder on her own, but it wouldn’t budge.
A Race Against Time
Realizing she couldn’t free her husband alone, Jo hiked until she could locate a cell signal and called 911. Thanks to her precise GPS coordinates, emergency teams were able to triangulate the couple’s position. But the terrain posed another challenge—emergency vehicles couldn’t reach the site.
That’s when a nearby sled dog tourism company provided an unexpected lifeline. Diverting one of their private helicopters, they airlifted seven firefighters and critical rescue equipment to the remote location.
“I think if we hadn’t had that private helicopter assist us, it would have taken us at least another 45 minutes to get to him, and I’m not sure he had that much time,” Fire Chief Crites told the Associated Press.
Rescuers employed inflatable air bags, carefully inserted under the boulder, to gradually lift it without causing further injury to Morris. The effort required delicate coordination—and over three hours of strenuous labor—before the team was finally able to free him.
Road to Recovery
Once extracted, Morris was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for a number of serious but non-life-threatening injuries, including soft tissue damage, bruising, and hypothermia. His resilience and the quick thinking of his wife—and rescuers—are being credited for what could have otherwise ended in tragedy.
In a later statement, Jo Roop expressed deep gratitude for the firefighters and the unexpected helicopter assist. “They saved his life. There’s no other way to put it,” she said.
Lessons from the Wild
The ordeal highlights the unpredictable and often dangerous nature of Alaska’s backcountry. Even experienced hikers and locals can find themselves at the mercy of nature’s raw power. Fire officials are reminding the public that even well-planned adventures can turn treacherous in a matter of seconds—and that preparation, communication, and emergency readiness are critical when venturing into remote areas.
As for Morris, he remains in recovery but is expected to make a full physical comeback. The emotional scars may take longer to heal, but both he and Jo are thankful to be alive and back together.