On Sunday November 1st at approximately 10 p.m., the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) was notified by the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) of a missing woman who was past due after a day hike in the Columbia River Gorge. It was reported to PPB by the woman’s spouse that she left her home at 11 a.m. to hike the Angels Rest Trail in Bridal Veil. She was expected home by 3 p.m., but did not return.
MCSO patrol deputies responded to the Gorge to search for her vehicle, a 1995 grey Dodge pickup truck. Deputies located her vehicle at Horsetail Falls Trailhead, which is approximately six miles east from where she told her spouse she planned to hike.
Multiple search and rescue (SAR) teams were activated in the early morning hours of Monday November 2nd. The woman was last seen wearing a grey jacket grey pants and grey boots. It was reported that she only had water and no food. At the start of the search, temperatures were in the mid-forties with an east wind at 12 miles an hour, making it feel much colder.
Just before 10:30 a.m., the 29-year-old woman returned to her vehicle at Horsetail Falls on her own. She told deputies she was attempting to hike from Horsetail Falls to Rock of Ages when she lost the trail. Because it was getting dark, the woman decided to stop and wait for daylight.
The woman declined medical attention.
We want to thank all of the search and rescue teams and many volunteers that helped with this search:
- Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
- Washington County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
- Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
- Hood River County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
- Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue
- Benton County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue
With the fall weather upon us, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is reminding hikers and visitors to be prepared for all conditions, including cold and freezing temperatures, rain and low elevation snow. Before you leave home, it is suggested that you always carry 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