08/25/25
08/15/2025 – July’s search and rescue missions continued an unprecedented rise in numbers, with a 200% increase compared to 2024. “Despite repeated messaging on social and mainstream media, we continue to see this exorbitant number of search and rescue missions in our county,” states Sheriff Summer Scheyer. According to the Washington State Emergency Management Division, Skamania County is not the only one seeing this trend. Statewide, many counties are seeing increased search and rescue missions and are bearing the financial burden for this unfunded state mandate. Besides a proposed ordinance penalizing those who are reckless or negligent and requiring search and rescue assistance, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with community stakeholders to provide future hiking preparedness classes. These will be announced once plans are solidified. “I want to attempt any and all actions to mitigate this epidemic that is costing our county dearly,” Sheriff Scheyer adds. “We do not have the financial or personnel capacity to continue with this extraordinary increase in missions for much longer. I want nothing more than people to enjoy the incredible outdoors and live a healthy lifestyle. I just want them to do it responsibly.”
Here is a recap of July’s missions:
07/04/2025: The Skamania County Communications Center received a text to 911 message reporting a man was experiencing convulsions and difficulty breathing on the Siouxon trail, approximately 5-7 miles from the trailhead. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned and acquired resources from the Volcano Rescue Team for response. Once volunteers reached the subject, he refused any medical or extraction assistance.
07/09/2025: A text to 911 report was received by the Skamania County Communications Center advising a 62-year-old Battle Ground man was hiking the Middle Falls trail and broke his ankle. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned to the call, acquiring resources from both the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team and Volcano Rescue Team. Volunteers were able to locate the injured hiker and extricated him for transport to the hospital.
07/11/2025: A 42-year-old Vancouver woman reported an ankle injury while hiking the Trapper Creek trail with her 10-year-old daughter. The hiker advised she was approximately six miles from the trailhead. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned and acquired resources from Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, and Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue. After a 9.5-hour mission, the injured hiker was extricated and returned to the trailhead for further treatment.
07/13/2025: A 43-year-old Longview woman experienced a leg injury while hiking the June Lake trail, approximately four miles from the trailhead. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned to the mission and acquired volunteers from the Volcano Rescue Team to respond. After a 9-hour mission, the hiker was extricated and returned to the trailhead where she refused ambulance transport.
07/14/2025: A 42-year-old Washougal man was hiking near the Dry Creek area when he was struck by a falling tree. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned to call and began acquiring volunteers from Silver Star Search and Rescue, Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, and personnel from Skamania County Emergency Medical Services. After a five-hour mission, the hiker was brought to the trailhead safely and transported for further medical treatment.
07/15/2025: A 49-year-old Longview woman climbing Mount Saint Helens was reported as not feeling well and could not continue on her own. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned to the call and acquired volunteers from the Volcano Rescue Team. After a five-hour mission, the climber was returned to the trailhead safely and refused ambulance transport.
07/17/2025: A male fell to his death near the Naked Falls area. This incident was covered in a previous, independent press release. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator, along with volunteers from Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Skamania County Fire District 4, and personnel from Skamania County Emergency Medical Services were utilized during this mission.
07/20/2025: Volunteer searchers from Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and Silver Star Search and Rescue responded to the U.S.F.S. 43 Road for a planned mission in an attempt to locate a missing subject. The subject was located deceased and his manner of death has been determined as a homicide. This incident was addressed in previous press releases.
07/23/2025: A 72-year-old Gresham, Oregon woman reported going off-trail, near Table Mountain, was on a rockslide, and unable to gain footing to return to the improved trail. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned to the incident and acquired resources from Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and Silver Star Search and Rescue teams. The volunteers were able to locate the woman, assist her back onto the trail, and escort her back down to safety.
07/24/2025: A subject reported that her husband and eight-year-old daughter were overdue from exiting the Ape Caves. Shortly thereafter, her husband contacted the Skamania County Communications Center reporting he was “stuck” inside the cave system because he scaled a wall after mistaking a skylight portion of the cave as the exit. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned to the mission and acquired volunteers from the Volcano Rescue Team for response. Volunteers were able to extract both parties from the caves and escort them safely back to the trailhead.
07/24/2025: A 62-year-old Vancouver, Washington man reported his leg possibly broken near the United States Forest Service 6610 Road. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned and acquired resources from Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and Skamania County Emergency Medical Services. The subject was located and transported to an awaiting ambulance for further treatment.
07/28/2025: A 49-year-old Vancouver, Washington woman was reported missing by her hiking party near the Three-Corner Rock area. A Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was assigned to the incident and acquired resources from the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team. The woman was located and safely returned to her campsite at Beacon Rock State Park.
The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office is forever grateful for the hardworking, selfless volunteers who exude dedication and professionalism on each and every mission.