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‘The most awesome second in my life’: Dad of missing Whistler snowboarder grateful for daughter’s safe return

The family of a missing 20-year-old snowboarder is deeply grateful that she was found uninjured after a harrowing three-day ordeal near Whistler Blackcomb.

Julie Abrahamsen was rescued from an area near Wedge Mountain early Saturday afternoon after being lost in the Whistler backcountry for three days. She was soaking wet but did not suffer any serious injuries. She was sent to hospital and it is believed she was discharged Saturday night.

On Saturday, a friend of Julie’s sent father Peder Knud Abrahamsen a text message saying his daughter was safe and sound.

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READ MORE: Missing snowboarder Julie Abrahamsen found alive near Whistler Blackcomb

“That was most awesome second in my life,” he said from his home in Son, Norway. “We were in deep, deep, deep grief and panic about our little girl, knowing that she was out there in the mountains alone. We were praying and hoping she was alive, fearing that she was injured or even worse.”

Julie left for Whistler Blackcomb on Wednesday. Her father says he and his wife first became concerned the following day when he hadn’t heard from her, but figured she was out with friends. By Friday, they were worried sick as Whistler RCMP and Search and Rescue began their search.

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On Saturday, a friend of Julie sent him a text message that read “Julie found alive. Call me.”

“In that split second it transformed my life from panic and grief to an awesome party,” he says.

He went on to thank RCMP and rescue crews in Whistler.

-with files from Justin McElroy

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