On October 25, 2024, at approximately 2:10 PM the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office received a call from Cary Kerst, 79, of Eugene OR. Kerst reported he was hunting mushrooms off the Harris Ranch Trail, near Waldport, OR, and had become lost. Senior Deputy Bruce McGuire responded to the Harris Ranch Trail while activating the Lincoln County Search and Rescue team. Kerst’s vehicle was located at the trailhead to Harris Ranch and a search commenced.

Willamette Valley Communication Center was able to provide GPS coordinates of Kerst’s location, based on his 911 phone call. Kerst was located approximately one-half mile down the trail and 600 feet down a steep embankment. Kerst was located in good health, but exhausted. Search and Rescue members loaded Kerst into a stokes basket and carried him out to the trailhead and waiting family members.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone when hiking in the woods to look up occasionally and be familiar with the surroundings of where you are walking. Also, take plenty of water and some snacks, as well as a fully charged cell phone. It is recommended that you take a GPS unit with you and be familiar with its operation.

####