Missing snowmobiler found

BOISE (AP) - The stranded snowmobiler lay in the cold Idaho wild under a makeshift pine branch shelter, weary of the trio of wolves watching him from about 50 yards away.

Trained in outdoor survival, Craig Noll was prepared for the elements, with five layers of clothing, but he struggled still after his snowmobile got stuck Sunday night to keep his hands warm. His gloves had become soaked and frozen, and he didn't want to endure another night in the frigid Bennett Mountain area.

"The snow was just blowing through my shelter and it was just a mess," Noll said. "I did not want to go through another night out there without gloves."

Noll, 54, was rescued Tuesday morning by a National Guard helicopter crew. His rescue came after two days of frustrating weather that forced crews to call off their efforts Sunday night and Monday due to low visibility from a storm.

But they got a break when Noll made a call from his cell phone Monday afternoon, helping them to isolate his location and provide a general area to begin their search Tuesday under a clear sky.

The two-night ordeal for Noll began after he ventured out with two friends earlier Sunday in a remote area 25 miles northeast of Mountain Home and he lost track of them. He told KTVB-TV that he tried to backtrack to find them, but his machine got stuck and overturned.

As he tried several times to no avail to restart the snowmobile, the cloud cover, high winds and cold temperature ushered in by a winter storm began to worsen.

Without food or water, Noll ate snow to stay hydrated, he said.

He was found just minutes after a Guard helicopter was dispatched to help the search, which was also aided by the first clear sky in days, said National Guard Col. Tim Marsano.

With the weather change, Noll said he started walking to find help when he heard the search helicopter.

After his rescue, he appeared in good condition and spirits, even joking about his troubles and an unexpected visit from wolves.

"I just started setting up my shelter under this tree, and three wolves about 50 yards away were just watching me. Am I supper tonight or what?" Noll told KTVB-TV while recovering at the search and rescue base camp.