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Archives for: Search

June 28, 2015 by PMR

Tanner Creek Rescue, June 28, 2015

Two male hikers in their 40s set out on what they thought was a loop hike up to Munra Point and then down Ruckle Ridge in the Columbia Gorge on June 27, 2015. After completing the tough climb to the top, they attempted to descend on what they thought was the loop trail, but the trail faded and they lost their way, possibly because they had not properly understood the route and the distance between Munra Point and Ruckle Ridege. They were tired and thirsty and decided to descend a steep slope to a creek below, which was Tanner Creek. They made the difficult descent and quenched their thirst, but they were disoriented and fatigued. They were unable to get cell phone reception to call for help. It was a clear evening, so they decided to spend the night where they were and find their way out in the morning.

Sunday morning, they attempted to find a way out, but the creek is at the bottom of a steep canyon, and cliffs and waterfalls prevented them from following the creek out. Mid-morning they were able to get a weak cell phone signal and called for a rescue. Through a return call, the Multnomah County Sherriff’s Office was able to get coordinates for their location and told them to stay put.   The deputies requested an aerial search, and Hood River Search and Rescue put a search plane in the air. Upon hearing the plane, the subjects moved to a location that had clear visibility from the air and waved to the plane. The pilot confirmed their location and provided GPS coordinates for searchers. The deputies first deployed Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue (PNSAR), whose teams searched for the subjects much of the morning, but with the confirmed location of the subjects at the bottom steep slopes, the deputies requested assistance from Portland Mountain Rescue at approximately noon.

PMR fielded its first team of five rescuers who left base around 1:30 p.m. and traveled by car up a limited access fire road to a position above the east side of the creek. From a location directly up slope of the subjects’ reported position, the PMR team descended 1000 feet down steep slopes to the creek. Up reaching the creek, the team split to search both sides of the creek toward the reported location. They quickly located the subjects around 2:15 p.m. resting on a tiny beach above a waterfall.

The subjects were tired and hungry but in good spirits. A medical doctor on the PMR team assessed the two subjects and found no injuries or medical conditions that would require a litter evacuation. After consuming food and water provided by the rescuers, the two subjects felt they could tackle the climb out with guidance and assistance from the rescuers. At this point, two members of PNSAR also reached the subjects and helped. A second team of PMR rescuers was positioned on the fire road with litters, ropes and technical gear, but that equipment was not needed.

The climb out of the canyon was quite steep, but the team safely, belaying themselves by grasping trees and other sturdy vegetation. Due to the subjects’ fatigue, the going was slow, but they made it back to the fire road in about two hours. By 6:00 the subjects and all rescuers were safely back at base.

 

Filed Under: HeadlineNews Tagged With: Columbia Gorge, Rescue, Search, Tanner Creek

February 18, 2015 by PMR

Lost Hiker on Mt. Hood near Mississippi Head

Lost Hiker on Mt. Hood near Mississippi Head

January 10, 2015

 

On January 10, the subject, a middle-aged man, was hiking above Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood.  He intended to hike to Silcox Hut and planned to return to Timberline Lodge around 6:000 p.m..  The subject was not an experienced hiker and was not well equipped for winter back country travel.  He went considerably off course and wandered into the area near Mississippi Head west of Timberline Lodge at about 6700’.  Lost, cold and faced with darkness, he called 911.

 

Around 9:00 p.m. , the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office requested PMR to help locate the subject and help him back to Timberline Lodge.  The subject’s cell phone lost battery power, but his coordinates were obtained from his 911 call.  There was some question about whether the subject was still traveling or remained near the location of his 911 call.  So four search teams from Timberline Pro Ski Patrol, Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue and Portland Mountain Rescue were deployed in an effort to locate him.  The PMR team entered the field around 1:00 a.m. on the morning of January 11.

 

At approximately 2:15 a.m., the Ski Patrol team made voice contact with the subject near the location indicated by his 911 call.  He had taken shelter from the wind behind a large rock.  They provided him warmer clothing and an ice ax, but progress was very slow due to the snow and ice conditions.  When the PMR team returned to base around 3:30 a.m., the deputy in charge assigned them to deliver snow shoes and crampons to the ski patrol team, which they did.  The Ski Patrol and PMR teams escorted the subject to Palmer chair lift where a snow cat picked them up and carried them to Timberline Lodge.  All teams and the subject were safely out of the field around 7:00 a.m.

 

PMR often is called to assist hikers or climbers on Mt. Hood who were not properly equipped for their trek.  Conditions above tree line on Mt. Hood can change from temperate to cold, wet and windy to raging blizzard in just an hour or two.  We encourage all hikers and climbers to prepare for the worst possible conditions and to be equipped to stay out overnight.

 

 

Filed Under: HeadlineNews Tagged With: Headline, Mt. Hood, Rescue, Search

September 13, 2014 by PMR

Big Lava Flow Search

In September 2013, two friends were exploring the Big Lava Flow south of Goose Lake in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. They were searching for a lave cave amongst the exposed lava flow. The two became separated and the surviving friend was unable to find the missing friend. The search effort was eventually terminated in 2013 with the missing individual presumed to be deceased.

During the week of September 8, 2014, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office planned a new search of the area and requested Portland Mountain Rescue to assist in the difficult terrain. On the first day PMR lead two teams totaling 37 searchers from many regional search and rescue units. They completed a coarse grid search of a large portion of two search units near where the subject was last seen. On the second day, PMR lead a single team of 21 searchers from three regional search and rescue units. They performed grid searches immediately around the point where the subject was last seen.

During these searches, we were reminded of how difficult navigation can be in rough terrain like an exposed lava flow. We also were reminded how easy it can be to stumble and suffer serious injuries around rough lava rocks. Such areas are beautiful and worth exploring, but only for experienced back country users with excellent navigation skills, and then only if they stay close together.

Filed Under: HeadlineNews Tagged With: Gifford Pinchot, Headline, Lava, Search

July 15, 2014 by PMR

Lost Hiker Mt. Rainier National Park

On July 12, 2014, Edwin Birch (64) and his son Zack Birch (37) started a day hike of a section of the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier. Edwin dropped off Zack at the Summerland Trailhead, from which Zack hiked south alone. Edwin drove on to the Olallie Creek Trailhead, where he parked the car and proceeded to hike north. The two planned to meet on the trail, transfer the car keys to Zack and then rendezvous where Edwin would exit at the Summerland Trailhead. They met at the Ohanapecosh Park area and then continued on their separate ways. Zack made it to the Olallie Creek Trailhead around midnight and then drove the car to the Summerland Trailhead, but his father never arrived. He reported his father missing around 1:30 on the morning of July 13.

On July 14, Mt. Rainier National Park request assistance from Portland Mountain Rescue. PMR deployed a team of four rescuers early on July 15. From the Sunrise parking area, a Chinook helicopter transported the PMR team to the Ohanapecosh Park area. After commencing a search of their assigned area, the PMR team was reassigned to another area. This required an overnight bivouac and bushwhacking through difficult terrain. Completing this assignment consumed the full extent of daylight on July 15. The team finally made it out to a road for pickup around 8:30 p.m. that night.

Meanwhile a second PMR team of two searchers reported to the search area on July 15. They joined a rescuer from Seattle Mountain Rescue and another from Central Washington Mountain Rescue to attempt a search an area near the Ohanapecosh River. Due to difficult terrain and bushwhacking, they were unable to reach their final objective, but searched a possible exit route for the subject. They were out of the field around 8:00 on July 15.

After additional days of searching Edwin Birch has not been found. The National Park Service has transitioned to a “limited continuous search”. PMR encourages hikers who become lost to back track if they can confidently do so. If you cannot confidently backtrack and you know someone will be looking for you in the general area, stay put or move to an area that is higher or clear where you can be easily seen or heard. Traveling off trail can be dangerous, doing it alone is even more dangerous, especially with the added stress of feeling lost.

Filed Under: HeadlineNews Tagged With: Headline, Mt. Rainier, Search

June 23, 2013 by PMR

Lost Mt. Hood Climber, Search Day 1

Around 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2013, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office requested Portland Mountain Rescue to assist in the search for Kinley Adams, a 59 year-old male climber. The subject’s family had reported him overdue from a solo climb of the Leuthold Couloir at approximately 9:00 that evening.

Dr. Adams’ car was located in the Timberline Ski Area parking lot and he had registered at the climber’s registry in the day lodge. His registration indicates that he intended to climb the Leuthold Couloir route up the mountain. His family described him as a competent, experienced climber who is familiar with Mt. Hood. Initially, he was reported to be carrying a cell phone and a Delorme In Reach device, although his In Reach device later was found at home.

PMR personnel assembled at Timberline at 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning, June 23, 2013. At 6000 ‘, temperatures were in the low 50s with light rain and a worsening forecast. The upper part of Mt. Hood was obscured by clouds.

Sunday’s search task was to attempt to sweep the Mr. Adams’ intended route for clues. Rescuers were shuttled to the top of the Palmer lift by snow cat. PMR’s first team was climbing from that location around 5:00 a.m. PMR’s teams searched the upper part of the Reid Glacier west of Illumination Saddle. One team ascended the Leuthold Couloir route to the neck of the hour glass. Due to deteriorating visibility and precipitation, searchers did not go higher and returned to Timberline Lodge around noon. No sign of Dr..Adams was identified during this search day.

The forecast for Monday and through much of the week is for winter storm conditions on the upper mountain. PMR is scheduled to search again on Monday. We are hoping Mr. Adams has dug a snow cave and is sitting out the weather.

Filed Under: HeadlineNews Tagged With: Headline, Mt. Hood, Search

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