CARRABASSETT VALLEY – A snow-making employee at Sugarloaf/USA, who said Thursday that he wanted to do some snowboarding before going to work, was found Friday morning after being lost in the Rapid Stream Valley area for more than 12 hours.

Mitch Miller, 35, of Eustis was snowboarding Thursday afternoon on the south side of Sugarloaf, between Sugarloaf and Black Nubble mountains, when he apparently passed a ridge line that has a steep descent to the Rapid Stream Valley, according to a statement from the Maine Wardens Service said.

“People familiar with the mountain know that once an individual gets past the line, the descent is vertical and climbing back up is virtually impossible,” the statement said.

Miller, who operates snow-making equipment at Sugarloaf, called 911 at approximately 7:30 p.m. Thursday to say that he was lost, that he couldn’t move well in the snow and that he couldn’t get out, warden Sgt. Richard Mills said.

Miller was located Friday morning by two experienced snowmobilers from the Carrabassett Valley Fire Department, the statement said.

Bob Carlton and Harold Eames brought Miller out at approximately 7:50 a.m. Friday. Miller was wet and cold but otherwise unhurt.

He was given dry clothes and released.

Joining the Warden Service were Carrabassett Valley Police and Fire departments, Carrabassett Valley Search and Rescue, five members of Sugarloaf Ski Patrol and four snowmobile groups.