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Hikers took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather this past weekend. Deputies noted a sharp increase of visitors at lakes, rivers and trails in and around the Columbia River Gorge. This made for a busy weekend for members of the Multnomah County Search & Rescue team.

On Saturday, MCSO SAR gathered for scheduled training at 8 a.m. at Multnomah Falls. Teams performed a series of simulated searches on the trails near the popular waterfall. The SAR coordinator, an MCSO deputy, led the training from an incident command base established in the parking lot off I-84, (photo 1 & 2).

During training, around 5:15 p.m., dispatchers received an emergency medical call for a 50-year-old hiker experiencing a heart attack. The hiker was at the top of Angel’s Rest in Bridal Veil, approximately two miles from the trailhead. The coordinator called for some SAR members to return and respond to assist Corbett firefighters. It was reported that three people, not associated with the hiker, were doctors from a local hospital and had begun chest compressions after recognizing the man was unresponsive.

As this event unfolded, dispatchers received a second medical call for a 72-year-old hiker who had become lost and tired while hiking near Wahkeena Falls. As SAR members diverted to the medical calls, it was reported that the 72-year-old was able to return to the trailhead with SAR members close by to assist if needed. He was evaluated by paramedics staged at the trailhead.

SAR members continued to Angel’s Rest. During their response, they learned the 50-year-old hiker did not survive, despite valiant efforts by the medical professionals. The response transitioned from a rescue to a recovery.

A SAR team hiked to the Angel’s Rest viewpoint with a wheeled stokes basket. At about 9:39 p.m., SAR members reached the location and loaded the deceased hiker into the basket. SAR members carefully hiked out, over rocks and around steep switchbacks, in the dark and after spending most of the day hiking with full packs on. Just before 4 a.m. on Sunday morning, SAR members reached the trailhead, where they met the Multnomah County Medical Examiner. After nearly 24 hours on the trail, SAR members were relieved.

MCSO SAR Coordinator Sgt. Keith Bybee on MCSO SAR: “They never fail to impress me. No matter the situation, they always rise to the challenge. We’re proud to have such a dedicated team of volunteers at the ready.”

At approximately 12:25 a.m. Monday morning, dispatchers took a report for three missing people, a 31-year-old man and his two nieces, ages 11 and 16. The caller stated that her brother and her two daughters left Salem around 10 a.m. Sunday to visit Multnomah Falls and had not returned home. The caller stated the family members were not prepared to stay overnight.

Deputies began checking all trailheads in the Columbia River Gorge from Troutdale to Hood River. The Hood River Sheriff’s Office was also notified. At 2:12 a.m., an MCSO deputy located the man’s car at the closed snow gate on E. Larch Mountain Road. Because the three hikers were not prepared to stay overnight, MCSO Search & Rescue was activated for a second major search, (photo 3 and 4). Before SAR members deployed, a Gresham police officer assisting deputies located the missing hikers on the road approximately one mile east of the snow gate. They were cold and hungry, but not injured.

The 31-year-old man told deputies they planned to hike to Multnomah Falls and return to their car at the snow gate. On the way back to the car, they took the wrong trail. When it got dark, they stopped for the night to stay warm and waited until daylight to continue. He also stated that he used a map application on his smartphone for directions to Multnomah Falls. The app sent him to Larch Mountain. This is the third group in two weeks that deputies have helped who have used maps apps for directions to Multnomah and Wahkeena Falls. Search & Rescue coordinators advise against relying on smartphones for directions and urge visitors to research the area prior to leaving home and to use a current paper map if possible.

While spring and summer like weather continues, many trails are still snow covered and have not been cleared or maintained since last fall. Before you leave home, it is suggested that you always carry a first aid kit in your car and bring the Ten Essentials with you on the trail, even if you are only going out for the day.

Ten Essentials for hiking:

• Navigation: map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger
• Headlamp or flashlight: plus, extra batteries
• Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen
• First aid: including foot care and insect repellent (as needed)
• Knife: plus, a gear repair kit
• Fire: matches, lighter, tinder and/or stove
• Shelter: carried at all times, (can be a light emergency bivy)
• Extra food: Beyond the minimum expectation
• Extra water: Beyond the minimum expectation
• Extra clothes: Beyond the minimum expectation

We want to thank all of the first responders and many volunteers that helped with these responses:

• Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
• Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
• Hood River County Sheriff's Office
• Corbett Fire Department
• AMR
• Mountain Wave Communications

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue program is a 100% volunteer organization, comprised of approximately 50 very dedicated, trained volunteers, including both youth and adults. MCSO SAR is recruiting new members. Click here if you would like to learn more about MCSO SAR.

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