04/08/2025
During the months that should be slow on the search and rescue front, Skamania County experienced record-setting mission numbers during the first quarter of 2025. During the months of January, February, and March, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office handled 13 search and rescue missions. This is a 550% increase from 2024’s mission numbers from the same time period.
01/12/2025: Skamania County Sheriff’s Office and Volcano Rescue Team responded to assist a stranded climber off of Mount Saint Helens.
01/19/2025: A motorist contacted the Skamania County Communications Center to advise he, along with three other adults and an infant, were stuck in the snow off of the Forest Service 54 Road. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator acquired resources from the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office Off-Road SAR team who responded to assist. All subjects were assisted off of the 54 Road safely.
01/21/2025: Four hikers reported being stranded near the Siouxon Creek trail, off of the Forest Service 5701 Road. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator acquired resources through the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team and the four hikers were eventually returned to safety.
01/24/2025: A climber on Mount Saint Helens called the Skamania County Communications Center for help, reporting he had an injured ankle and was unable to continue his descent. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned to the call. The Volcano Rescue Team responded to the mountain and rescued the injured climber, bringing him to the trailhead for further treatment.
01/30/2025: The Skamania County Communications Center received a report of a kayaker who fell while trying to navigate around Spirit Falls off of the Little White Salmon River. A Skamania County Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned and acquired resources from Skamania County Emergency Medical Services and Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue. The kayaker was pronounced deceased at the scene and was extracted by search and rescue personnel for further arrangements.
02/17/2025: The Skamania County Communications Center received a report of a snowmobile rider with a broken femur on Mount Saint Helens. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned to the mission and acquired resources from the Volcano Rescue Team. The rider was extracted from the mountain by the Volcano Rescue Team and taken to the Marble Mountain Sno-Park for further treatment.
02/22/2025 – The Skamania County Communications Center received a call for assistance on Table Mountain for a hiker who fell and could not self-extricate. After nearly 24 hours, the utilization of two Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinators, response of personnel from Skamania County Emergency Medical Services, Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Volcano Rescue Team, Clark County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Silver Star Search and Rescue, Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Hood River Crag Rats, Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, and an air asset from Whidbey Island Naval Air Base, the injured hiker was brought to safety and transported to the hospital for treatment.
03/01/2025 – The Skamania County Communications Center received a call for help regarding a missing subject on Mount Saint Helens. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned to the call and acquired resources from the Volcano Rescue Team for assistance. The climber was located by V.R.T. and brought back to the trailhead.
03/11/2025 – The Skamania County Communications Center received a call for assistance for a kayaker on the Little White Salmon River with a back injury. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned, and Skamania County Emergency Medical Services was dispatched. The injured kayaker was extricated from the canyon and transported for further treatment.
03/16/2025 – The Skamania County Communications Center received a report of an elderly female with dementia was missing from her residence. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned and Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team was contacted for response. Two responding deputies located the female in a wooded area near her residence and were able to return her home.
03/19/2025 – The Skamania County Communications Center received a call for assistance from a 76-year-old male who reported his truck stuck in the snow off of the Forest Service 93 Road. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned and acquired resources from the Volcano Rescue Team. Members from the Volcano Rescue Team located the subject and transported him to Cougar where he received medical treatment.
03/23/2025 – A subject who was entered as Missing/Endangered from Clark County called the Skamania County Communications Center requesting assistance off of the Department of Natural Resources 2000 Road, outside of Washougal. The subject fell 200-300 feet down a steep embankment and required assistance. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned and volunteers from the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team were acquired to respond. After an arduous extraction, the subject was extricated and brought to a safe location.
03/24/2025 – A subject hiking the Augspurger Trail required assistance to the trailhead after consuming psylocibin mushrooms. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned and acquired personnel from Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and Skamania County Emergency Medical Services. With the assistance of volunteers and medics, the hiker was assisted down to the trailhead safely.
As always, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office wants to extend our utmost gratitude to all of our volunteers who selflessly serve Skamania County.