Last Wednesday, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) was called into action after receiving a 911 call from a visually impaired hiker who had lost his way near Wahkeena Falls. The hiker had ventured out alone, after his wife returned to their car, using only the dim light of his cellphone to navigate. According to the MCSO, the incident began unfolding around 5:30 P.M. when the man's call reached the authorities. His wife was located by a deputy at the Multnomah Falls welcome center, as the search effort commenced.
The stranded hiker found himself unable to see the trail markers and, at the advisement of the MCSO deputies via text message, he stopped moving to await rescue. The deputies managed to ascertain his precise location using cell phone data. Meanwhile, a specialized team within MCSO, known as the Green Hornets, geared up to retrieve the man.
The Green Hornets, a group of deputies acclaimed for their wilderness savvy and search and rescue prowess, were dispatched and began their mission at 6:55 P.M. Their expertise paid off and by 7:45 P.M., the lost hiker was located. He was unharmed and the deputies assisted him back to safety at the trailhead where his wife awaited.
The MCSO expressed their thanks for the "quick thinking and teamwork" of the deputies involved in the rescue. They remind hikers that in instances of getting lost or facing distress, the best course of action is to remain stationary and call 911 for assistance. Further information on the MCSO's Search and Rescue program, along with essential hiking advice, can be found on their website.
