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Published on January 17, 2025
Search Underway for Missing Climber on Oregon's Mount Hood Amid Foggy ConditionsSource: Clackamas County Sheriff's Office

Authorities have initiated a search for a climber reported missing on Oregon's Mount Hood. According to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, the 26-year-old from Washington was separated from his climbing partner during descent after they had summited the peak. Mount Hood, known for its scenic beauty, has turned into the backdrop for an urgent rescue mission.

The climber, whose name has yet to be disclosed, began the ascent from Timberline Lodge. On their way down from the mountain, the pair became separated amid dense fog on Thursday afternoon. Search efforts by the Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue were promptly activated, focusing on locating the missing climber through cell phone signal triangulation. Weather conditions were said to be very foggy at the time, complicating the search considerably, as detailed by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

Rescue teams, which include highly trained volunteers, have been dispatched to join the search. Entities such as Portland Mountain Rescue were already engaged in the efforts overnight Thursday, whilst additional groups like Clackamas Search and Rescue, Mountain Wave SAR, PNW Search & Rescue, and Hood River Crag Rats initiated their involvement on Friday morning. Sources confirm that air support from the Hood River County Sheriff's Office and the Air National Guard has also been enlisted, in collaboration with Oregon Emergency Management. These reinforcements underscore a collective response, reflecting the seriousness with which local authorities treat these potential life-or-death situations.

Details on the progress of the search are still forthcoming, and updates are anticipated as new information becomes available, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office stated.