A climbing trip on one of Oregon’s most unforgiving peaks ended in apparent tragedy on Friday, July 24, when witnesses reported seeing a 37-year-old climber from Kuna, Idaho, fall off Mount Jefferson’s west side into the Milk Creek drainage. Rescue crews, including an Oregon Army National Guard helicopter and ground search-and-rescue teams, later located a backpack and other gear on the mountain’s west flank but were unable to find the climber. Deputies said the fall appeared unsurvivable and that recovery teams were working to reach the remote scene despite hazardous terrain.
How the fall was reported and early search efforts
Two climbers on the mountain told authorities they watched a solo climber in a bright red jacket tumble from near the Red Saddle shortly before noon and disappear down the steep western face into Milk Creek. An Oregon Army National Guard helicopter searched from the air and reportedly spotted what searchers believed to be the climber’s backpack and gear. Ground teams started the long hike toward the basin but paused for the night because of darkness and safety concerns. As reported by FOX 12, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office coordinated the multi-agency response.
Identity and investigators' assessment
Investigators later identified the missing climber as 37-year-old Jared John Empey of Kuna, Idaho, after a woman reported that her husband had missed several scheduled check-ins early Saturday. Deputies told reporters Empey’s fall was “not survivable” and said officials were “working to recover Empey’s body,” while warning that the steep, remote location could make retrieval impossible. FOX 12 published the sheriff’s account and the investigators’ identification.
Why recovery is so difficult on Mount Jefferson
Mount Jefferson sits inside the Mount Jefferson Wilderness and is one of the Cascades’ most rugged peaks, with glaciers, steep talus slopes and limited road access that make rescue work slow and dangerous. Routes near the Red Saddle and Milk Creek are known among climbers for loose rock and summer snowfields that complicate aerial spotting and safe footing for ground teams. The U.S. Forest Service’s Willamette National Forest notes the area’s remoteness and permit requirements, underscoring why search-and-recovery operations here can be prolonged and hazardous. Willamette National Forest
About Jared Empey
Public records list Jared John Empey as City Treasurer in Kuna, Idaho, and the city’s staff directory lists his name and role in that position. City of Kuna staff directory
How to follow the search
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is overseeing the investigation and coordinating search-and-rescue partners, and anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the sheriff’s office. For official updates and contact details, see the Linn County Sheriff’s Office website. Linn County Sheriff's Office
