10/29/2024
In less than 12 hours, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office received three search and rescue requests, all requiring extensive personnel and time to complete.
On 10/27/2024, at approximately 6:18 P.M., the Skamania County Communications Center received a report of a lost mushroom picker off of the Forest Service 43 Road, northeast of Carson, Washington. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned and acquired members from the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team to conduct the search. After a grueling, four-hour search, the team members were able to locate the mushroom picker and return him safely to his vehicle.
On 10/27/2024, at approximately 7:28 P.M. and just over an hour after the first search and rescue request, the Skamania County Communication Center received information of two hikers in need of assistance near Norway Pass, northeast of Mount Saint Helens. One of the hikers reported her hiking partner was suffering from a medical event and they were unable to continue. Additionally, she reported they were experiencing adverse weather, including snow, in the area. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned to the mission and began efforts to acquire search teams. The Forest Service 25 Road was currently impassable, making access to the area more difficult. The Volcano Rescue Team was contacted and attempted to reach the hikers that night but were unable to access their location. A Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer and Lewis County Deputy, responding from the north side of the Forest Service 25 Road were able to hike to the last known coordinates of the hikers, located footprints, but could not locate the hikers at that time. Further requests for searchers were made for other volunteer teams, but no response was received. The Search and Rescue Coordinator attempted to acquire an air asset for assistance but was denied due to weather conditions. Arrangements were made with the U.S. Naval Air Station in Whidbey Island for an air asset to respond on 10/28/2024, based on a positive projected weather window. On 10/28/2024, the Volcano Rescue Team was re-deployed to the area and an air asset from Whidbey Island fought through heavy cloud cover to access the search area. At approximately 1230, pilots located both hikers. Unfortunately, the male hiker was located, deceased, succumbing to the reported medical event, but the female reporting party survived the incident. Both hikers were recovered from the area and transported to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.
On 10/28/2024, at approximately 5:28 A.M., a third search and rescue request was made in 11 hours. The reporting party was able to text 911 with limited information utilizing the SOS feature on his cell phone. The subject reported his motorcycle was “stuck” and he was too exhausted and cold to continue. G.P.S. coordinates provided from the communication showed the reporting party’s location south of the Forest Service 41 Road, southeast of Lookout Mountain. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned and was able to acquire volunteers from both the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and Silver Star Search and Rescue Teams. After an extensive response to this very rugged area, team members were able to locate the motorcycle rider and assist him back to the Search and Rescue base at approximately 4:30 P.M. The rider did not require any medical attention and was transported home by one of the volunteers.
These searches were incredibly taxing to both the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office and the volunteers who serve our community. However, despite the extensive time spent searching in adverse weather conditions, our amazing volunteers continued to push forward and serve our community in the most selfless, professional capacity. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office also wants to recognize the phenomenal response by the U.S. Naval Air Station-Whidbey Island pilots who assisted in completing the Norway Pass mission.
