On 03-14-17 at 3:09pm, MCSO Deputies were dispatched to the area of Multnomah Falls regarding 12 lost hikers. Updates indicated that one of the hikers slipped or fell down a snow embankment. Deputies were able to get location data from one of the hiker's cell phone that placed them approximately 1.2 miles up the Multnomah Falls Trail.
MCSO Green Hornet Trail Team along with Corbett Fire and AMR responded. Two members of the trail team reached the first hiker, Neil Desai, a 21 year old that had slipped down the snow embankment into a small creek. He was uninjured and able to walk out on his own. The remaining 11 hikers were still on the opposite side of the snow hazard. Once Corbett Fire Personnel arrived, a rope system was set up across the snow hazard. This allowed rescue personnel to safely walk each hiker across the hazard. At approximately 5:40pm all hikers and rescue personnel descended the trail to the Multnomah Falls Lodge parking lot.
The 12 hikers were from Texas and traveled to Oregon during spring break. They decided to hike from Wahkeena to Multnomah Falls. The group consisted of 20 to 21 year old adults and were all uninjured.
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office would like to remind anyone planning to hike in the Columbia River Gorge and other scenic areas to research your route before you go. Ensure you have the proper equipment you need when you embark on a hike including a map, compass, flashlight, extra food and water, fire starter, extra clothing, a knife, first aid kit, GPS and a cell phone with an extra battery. Remaining in one place and staying on the trail will assist searchers as they work to locate where you are at and help bring you down from the trail safely.
MCSO Green Hornet Trail Team along with Corbett Fire and AMR responded. Two members of the trail team reached the first hiker, Neil Desai, a 21 year old that had slipped down the snow embankment into a small creek. He was uninjured and able to walk out on his own. The remaining 11 hikers were still on the opposite side of the snow hazard. Once Corbett Fire Personnel arrived, a rope system was set up across the snow hazard. This allowed rescue personnel to safely walk each hiker across the hazard. At approximately 5:40pm all hikers and rescue personnel descended the trail to the Multnomah Falls Lodge parking lot.
The 12 hikers were from Texas and traveled to Oregon during spring break. They decided to hike from Wahkeena to Multnomah Falls. The group consisted of 20 to 21 year old adults and were all uninjured.
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office would like to remind anyone planning to hike in the Columbia River Gorge and other scenic areas to research your route before you go. Ensure you have the proper equipment you need when you embark on a hike including a map, compass, flashlight, extra food and water, fire starter, extra clothing, a knife, first aid kit, GPS and a cell phone with an extra battery. Remaining in one place and staying on the trail will assist searchers as they work to locate where you are at and help bring you down from the trail safely.