Final Update: The hiker, identified as Donn Cambell, Age 42 of Stockton, California, was reunited with his family at the Command Post at 2:15 a.m. When asked about his hike, Campbell said he had stopped with his family in the scenic area on their way to Seattle and he decided to go on a short hike up the trail for a bit while his family went sightseeing around the area. He started his hike about 2:30 p.m. from the Oneonta Trailhead intending to hike the Wahkeena Loop. As he was hiking he saw another trail that he thought led up to Larch Mountain and decided to follow that but became turned around trying to get back down the trails. As it got dark, he realized he was lost and he didn't have any light or emergency supplies with him. He called his wife and told her he was lost and she called 911. After Search and Rescue was able to make contact with him they had him call 911 so they could obtain a location on his phone. Search and Rescue Coordinators instructed him to remain where he was at and wait for the search and rescue team to reach him. He was hungry and thirsty when searchers located him. Mr. Cambell sped up his rescue by remaining where he was as teams worked their way up the trail to his location. He was uninjured and in good spirits, happy to be off the trail and grateful to the team that located him and brought him safely back down.
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office would like to remind anyone contemplating a hike or outing on hiking trails within the Columbia Gorge and other scenic areas to carry the proper equipment when setting out including a map, compass, flashlight, extra food and water, extra clothing, fire starter, knife, first aid kit and signaling device. A GPS and a cell phone with extra battery. Research your route before you go and stay on the trails. If you do become lost on the trails and call for help, stay in place after you call. This will assist searchers working to locate you. Carry bright colored clothing you can hang on a tree to attract attention. Hike with a group or a friend, stay together and keep each other in sight. Let someone know your plan and when you expect to return so someone knows if you are overdue. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office wants everyone to have a safe and enjoyable visit to the scenic areas in the Columbia Gorge and other hiking areas.
-------------Update1---------------
Update1: MCSO SAR hasty team reached the lost hiker just after 1:00 a.m. and are now escorting him back down the trail. The hiker is in good condition and it is expected it will take approximately an hour to arrive back at the Command Post.
Further updates will be provided when more information is available.
----------Original Message------------
This evening, Thursday July 21, 2016 MCSO Deputies were dispatched to the Oneonta Trailhead on a report of a lost hiker. The hiker's spouse called 911 after receiving a call from him at approximately 9:30 p.m. saying he was lost on the trail and was trying to find his way out. The lost hiker is not equipped for an overnight stay on the trail and has no light and limited water and supplies. MCSO Deputies made contact with the spouse and have activated MCSO Search and Rescue to respond.
MCSO Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinators were able to establish contact with the hiker and obtained a good cell phone ping location from his phone, placing him in an area along Franklin Ridge. An MCSO SAR Hasty team activated to assist in locating the hiker and bringing him back down the trail was deployed into the field shortly before midnight. The hiker is uninjured and is waiting for the team to reach him.
Command Post is located at Oneonta Trailhead, media staging is available near the Command Post.
Updates will be provided when more information is available.
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office would like to remind anyone contemplating a hike or outing on hiking trails within the Columbia Gorge and other scenic areas to carry the proper equipment when setting out including a map, compass, flashlight, extra food and water, extra clothing, fire starter, knife, first aid kit and signaling device. A GPS and a cell phone with extra battery. Research your route before you go and stay on the trails. If you do become lost on the trails and call for help, stay in place after you call. This will assist searchers working to locate you. Carry bright colored clothing you can hang on a tree to attract attention. Hike with a group or a friend, stay together and keep each other in sight. Let someone know your plan and when you expect to return so someone knows if you are overdue. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office wants everyone to have a safe and enjoyable visit to the scenic areas in the Columbia Gorge and other hiking areas.
-------------Update1---------------
Update1: MCSO SAR hasty team reached the lost hiker just after 1:00 a.m. and are now escorting him back down the trail. The hiker is in good condition and it is expected it will take approximately an hour to arrive back at the Command Post.
Further updates will be provided when more information is available.
----------Original Message------------
This evening, Thursday July 21, 2016 MCSO Deputies were dispatched to the Oneonta Trailhead on a report of a lost hiker. The hiker's spouse called 911 after receiving a call from him at approximately 9:30 p.m. saying he was lost on the trail and was trying to find his way out. The lost hiker is not equipped for an overnight stay on the trail and has no light and limited water and supplies. MCSO Deputies made contact with the spouse and have activated MCSO Search and Rescue to respond.
MCSO Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinators were able to establish contact with the hiker and obtained a good cell phone ping location from his phone, placing him in an area along Franklin Ridge. An MCSO SAR Hasty team activated to assist in locating the hiker and bringing him back down the trail was deployed into the field shortly before midnight. The hiker is uninjured and is waiting for the team to reach him.
Command Post is located at Oneonta Trailhead, media staging is available near the Command Post.
Updates will be provided when more information is available.