On July 27, 2025, around 9:54 p.m., Seward Alaska State Troopers got a 911 call from Dennis Maurer, a 33-year-old visitor from Switzerland. He reported that he had climbed a mountain in Seward, pushed past his limits, and was unable to descend safely on his own. He also said he didn’t have the right gear to get down.

Using a drone, troopers were able to find Dennis and confirm he was okay. They pinpointed his location just below 4,000 feet near the summit of Mount Marathon. Because there wasn’t a suitable spot for a helicopter to land, the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) with the National Guard was called in for help. Their team arrived in Seward in the early hours of the morning, found Dennis, airlifted him, and brought him to the Seward Airport at 1:43 a.m., where local police met him. Dennis was unhurt and didn’t need medical care.

The Alaska State Troopers thank the Rescue Coordination Center, Air National Guard, and Seward Police Department for their help with the rescue.