08/20/2024: The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office continues to deal with an overwhelming call volume for search and rescue operations, beginning with four in a single week to begin the month of August.
On 08/04/2024, the Skamania County Communications Center received a report of a hiker on Hamilton Mountain, within Beacon Rock State Park, with an ankle injury. The hiker was immobile and needed assistance. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator organized the search effort, acquiring volunteers from both Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and Silver Star Search and Rescue teams. After an eight-hour operation, the hiker was rescued and returned to their vehicle.
On 08/05/2024, a berry picker in the Sawtooth berry fields was reported missing. After a full two-day search effort utilizing volunteers from Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and Hood River County for an air asset, the search was suspended. After five days from the time the berry picker was last observed with friends, she was located on the United States Forest Service 88 Road and transported to Trout Lake, Washington by a local resident.
On 08/09/2024, the Skamania County Communications Center received a report of a hiker experiencing heat exposure issues and an anxiety attack on the Lava Canyon trail, near Mount Saint Helens. Personnel from North County Emergency Medical Services and volunteers from the Volcano Rescue Team responded, assisting the hiker off the trail and back to their vehicle.
On 08/10/2024, a participant in the Bigfoot 40 race, circumnavigating Mount Saint Helens, was reported to be suffering from heat exposure. Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue members, along with assigned race medics, were able to reach the runner and provide medical treatment.
A fifth search and rescue mission occurred on 08/19/2024, lasting over 15 hours. The reporting party contacted the Skamania County Communications Center at approximately 8:36 AM, advising she was experiencing a panic attack while backpacking near Shovel Lake, located near the northern area of Mount Saint Helens. The hiker stated she could not return to her vehicle on her own. The hiker was accompanied by another hiking partner. Due to the remote area and location of accessibility, response to the hiker took an extended period of time. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned to the call to facilitate rescue efforts. Volunteers from the Volcano Rescue Team selflessly responded, once again, reaching the hiker at approximately 4:45 PM. At 11:33 P.M., the hiker was returned to her vehicle at the Coldwater Lake parking lot.