Archives for: Search

February 11, 2012 by PMR

Sand Canyon Snowboarder

Around 7:30 p.m. on February 11, 2012, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office requested PMR to assist in searching for a lost snow boarder on Mt. Hood. The snow boarder was an adult male (a non-English speaking Korean) who had been riding with friends at Timberline. They were riding out of bounds west of the resort when they became separated.

His friends reported last seeing him just above the Glade Trail and to the west of the Kruser run. PMR fielded a two-person hasty team around 9:30 p.m. to search down into Sand Canyon from above. The Timberline Resort Ski Patrol reported sighting tracks near the cable sign hanging over Sand Canyon near the base elevation of the resort; the PMR hasty team was assigned to find and follow those tracks. Around 10:30 p.m., another PMR team started searching from below on the Glade Trail from Government Camp upwards toward Sand Canyon.

Eventually, the first team located tracks and followed them down Sand Canyon. When the forest became dense, they had to carry their skis and follow the boarder’s foot tracks, which they did down to about 4300’. Eventually, the two PMR teams converged. About the same time, the subject was found by other rescuers near Enid Lake.

According to news reports, the subject called for help on his cell phone. With the aid of an interpreter, the sheriff’s office asked him to stay put. After his cell phone battery died, he continued to move and gained high ground from which he could see lights from the ski areas. He then turned south away from Sand Canyon and was on course toward Government Camp when he met rescuers. PMR teams were out of the field by 2:30 a.m. on February 12, 2012.

PMR advises skiers and riders to stay in bounds unless they are prepared with skills and equipment to navigate in the back country in winter conditions and equipped to stay out all night. If you know rescuers are looking for you, stay put and take actions to increase your visibility.

February 6, 2012 by PMR

Body Recover on White River Glacier on South Side of Mt. Hood

Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office contacted PMR at approximately 4:30 p.m. on February 6, 2012 requesting assistance to search for an overdue climber on the south side of Mt. Hood. The climber, 31 year-old Jared Townsley was climbing alone up the south side, starting at about 1:00 a.m. on February 6. He was reported overdue by his brother. Interviews by the Sheriff’s office of other climbers on the mountain that day indicated that he had been last seen descending around the base of Crater Rock at about 8:30 a.m.

PMR fielded a hasty team of three rescuers who boarded a snow cat around 7:45 p.m. to the top of the Palmer lift. They first searched the upper Zig Zag west toward Illumination Saddle and below west Crater Rock. They then proceeded to the main climbing route on Triangle Moraine and proceeded up to the Hogs Back at 10,500’ and into the west crater.

PMR’s second group of rescuers left Timberline Lodge around 10:00 p.m. and staged rescue supplies at the top of the Palmer lift. They split into two teams. Team 2 searched the west rim of White River Canyon above 8500’, including checking large crevasses on the White River Glacier. Team 3 searched the Zig Zag above 8500’.

The three teams converged around 1:15 a.m. on February 7 to develop new assignments. Team 1 then descended along the west rim of White River Canyon. They descended to Timberline Lodge and were out of the field around 3:30 a.m. Teams 2 and 3 completed sweeping the area above the Palmer lift and then rested in the Palmer Lift building until first light. They recommenced search efforts at 5:45 a.m. and proceeded to White River Canyon. They split into two teams again to search the east and west edges of the glacier. Team 3 climbed to the upper bench of the glacier where they encountered the subject’s body below Steel Cliff at approximately 8:00 a.m. It was immediately apparent that the subject had suffered traumatic injuries and was deceased.

A National Guard Helicopter arrived at Timberline Lodge shortly after with the intention of assisting in search efforts. The National Guard agreed to assist in evacuating the body. The helicopter lowered a tag line to PMR rescuers who guided the litter to the glacier. PMR packaged the body in the litter while the helicopter returned to Timberline Lodge on standby. The helicopter then returned and transported the litter to Timberline Lodge by 10:15 a.m. A snow cat transported rescuers back to Timberline Lodge and all units were out of the field around 11:30 a.m.

Communications were handled by Mountain Wave throughout the night and morning. Additional rescuers from PMR, the Crag Rats and Corvallis Mountain Rescue were entering the field when the body was first discovered and ultimately were not deployed.

Back country fatalities are always tragic for families, friends and rescuers. PMR urges back country users to travel with a buddy. We also urge climbers to be aware of the heightened dangers that winter conditions create in the Cascade Mountains. Self-arrest can be impossible on even moderate slopes when they are glazed with ice. Put crampons and ice axes into use before you need them. Don’t venture onto a slope where self-arrest is uncertain unless you are roped to a proper anchor as a backup. Be safe out there.

July 18, 2011 by PMR

Search for Lost Climbers on Mt. Adams

At the request of the Washington Emergency Management Department, PMR mobilized to assist in the search for two missing climbers on Mt. Adams. Four PMR searchers arrived at the Cold Springs trail head at around 2:30 p.m. on July 18, 2011.

The missing climbers had left the Cold Springs trailhead Saturday afternoon. They sent a text message to friends or family around 7:00 p.m. Saturday evening stating that they were about hour from their base camp, which was their last known communication. They were scheduled to return to Portland Sunday night and were reported overdue by their families sometime late Sunday evening. The USFS climbing ranger had located their tent at the 9200 foot level on the Lunch Counter. No climbing gear was in the tent, indicating that the climbers had left intending to climb.

One of the subjects had climbed Mt Rainier, Mt Baker and Mt Hood, all with guide services. The other had no climbing experience. Both climbers were reported to be properly equipped and were traveling on snow shoes. Both had cell phones and one had a SPOT unit, although he did not use it.

As the PMR searchers were preparing to enter the field for specified search areas, a family member received a phone call from the missing climbers stating that they were safe in the Trout Lake District USFS Office. They had hiked down Salt Creek and caught a ride into town.

PMR encourages back country travelers to carry emergency communication devices, to understand how to use those devices (such as the SPOT unit carried by these climbers), and to know the limitations of those devices. Using these devises does NOT trigger a charge for rescue. Wilderness search and rescue in Oregon and Washington is done by volunteers that do not charge for their service.

April 8, 2011 by PMR

Lost Snowboarder from Timberline Ski Area

About 5:50 p.m. on April 8, 2011, PMR was requested to search for another lost snow boarder outside the Timberline Ski Area on Mt. Hood. The subject was believed to be low in Sand Canyon and moving on his own toward the direction of the Glade Trail. A PMR hasty team was on site shortly after 7:00 p.m. and headed to the trailhead. The subject made it out to the Glade and was met by AMR and the PMR team.

PMR urges skiers and snow boarders to stay in ski area boundaries unless they are fully prepared for back country travel. Adequate preparation includes knowledge of the area, a map and compass and navigation skills. Back country travelers should be prepared to stay out over night, even if they only intend to be out of bounds for a short time.

April 7, 2011 by PMR

Lost Snowboarders from Timberline Ski Area

Shortly before 7:00 p.m. on April 7, 2011, PMR was requested to assist on a mission that involved four lost snowboarders in the area of Sand Canyon and Little Zig Zag Canyon outside the Timberline Ski Area boundary on Mt. Hood.

By the time the first several PMR members arrived at Timberline Lodge, one subject had been rescued by ski patrol. Patrollers had caught up with him; warmed him up, got him out to the Glade Trail. They returned to Timberline Lodge by snow cat.

Two other snowboarders were reported to be close to the Kiwanis Camp trailhead and another snowboarder and a ski patroller were in Sand Canyon somewhere below the cable (warning sign). The two near the Kiwanis Camp made it out on their own. The ski patroller and his exhausted subject were reported to be unable to proceed.. By using the boarder’s smart phone to dial 911, their location was determined. They were at about 4000 feet in Sand Canyon. A PMR team deployed from the Glade Trailhead (about .75 miles ) at about 10:00 p.m. PMR made contact with the pair a little before 11:00 p.m. With some food, hot tea and snowshoes for the two they headed back out. All personnel were out by 2:30 am.

Sand Canyon Snowboarder

Body Recover on White River Glacier on South Side of Mt. Hood

Search for Lost Climbers on Mt. Adams

Lost Snowboarder from Timberline Ski Area

Lost Snowboarders from Timberline Ski Area

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