Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Search and Rescue

On July 18, 2021, the Siskiyou Rappel Crew’s helicopter was on standby for wildland fire support staged at the Sunriver Airport in Oregon. At 2012 hours, they received initial dispatch for a Search and Rescue (SAR) mutual aid request from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office SAR Team. 

Map showing the staging area for gear/resources, rappel site, and the location of patient/hoist site. 

Due to the closing window of daylight, extreme diligence was taken in gathering information before flying to the last known coordinates of a lost and distressed hiker’s cell phone ping. 

In a coordinated aerial search with a Jefferson County SAR ground resource, they were unable to locate the missing hiker. Due to a concern over limited daylight, four rappellers were inserted on scene to assist with the search operation on the ground. For the same concern, no cargo was delivered to them and the rappel helicopter departed the area. 

U.S. Forest Service rappellers being inserted into this Search and Rescue incident.  

At 2137 hours, only two rappellers were sent into the lava field to limit exposure, as it was extremely rough terrain. During their search, they received additional information including the Lat/Long from the hiker’s Garmin InReach device, and the hiker’s name. 

The remainder of the rappellers, other SAR personnel, and Deschutes National Forest Engine 640 crewmembers waited with advanced medical gear. A PACE model plan (Primary plan, Alternate plan, Contingency plan, Emergency plan) was established.  

At 2157 hours, the two rappellers found the missing hiker after hiking towards audible responses to their call-outs. This was communicated to all personnel. An initial patient assessment was given. 

A National Guard Hoist Helicopter, on standby in Klamath Falls, was ordered while the remaining rappellers, one of them an advanced EMT, hiked towards the patient with Engine 640’s advanced medical gear. Only the rappellers operated in the lava field to limit resource exposure to dangerous terrain. 

The Oregon National Guard Hoist Helicopter launched from Klamath Falls at 2256 hours and hoisted the patient into the helicopter at 0049 hours after delivering their flight medic. The helicopter departed en route to the St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, Oregon. The patient was diagnosed with dehydration and potential rhabdomyolysis. 

SAR personnel exchange thumbs-up as patient is ready for hoist by the National Guard Helicopter.

The four rappellers hiked back over the lava rocks to the trail and tied-in with the remaining resources on scene. The Medical Incident Command was terminated and all resources hiked out to the Jefferson Creek trailhead without issue. 

Key Lessons

Gather SAR and Medical frequencies; make a radio group for your response area.

Engage area partners in a mutual aid SAR response simulation – use this as a time to identify and address communication problems.

Practice a nighttime medical scenario.

To see the complete report on this Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Search and Rescue incident: 

Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Search and Rescue 2021