UPDATE: Thanks to EVERYONE who signaled-boosted my previous note; your prayers and thoughts helped immensely.

According to what I’ve been told and read, my friends have been FOUND! They haven’t pinpointed their location yet, but somehow a call was able to get through (normally no reception way out in Opal Creek), and they said they’re fine, just cold and tired.

A ground crew is honing in on them, and a helicopter is going to find them from the air. It’s interesting because as I type this, a helicopter is going by my window. Never thought a helicopter could sound so encouraging or even comforting!

So thanks again, guys - my friends will be home by this afternoon or evening, and there’s going to be a lot of joy to be shared.