Two Soldotna men got a welcome, if unexpected lift home from the Alaska State Troopers Monday afternoon.
The two men, Donald Joachim and Benjamin Nabinger, had just finished a hike across the Harding Ice Field from Seward and found themselves stuck once arriving on the west side when they could not cross the Skilak River.
The Alaska State Troopers were notified that the men were stranded at about 1:24 p.m., and the pair were rescued by the AST's Helo 3 and delivered to the Soldotna Airport by 2:30 p.m.
Troopers report the men were uninjured and had adequate food, water and shelter on hand, but were not equipped to cross the swollen Skilak River due to spring thaw.
