UPDATE: CCSO SHERIFF'S OFFICE SCALES BACK SEARCH FOR MISSING HIKER
Posted: August 2nd, 2010 3:33 PM
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
Jim Strovink, Detective
Office of Public Information
12700 SE 82nd Avenue, Clackamas, Oregon 97015
NEWS RELEASE
UPDATE: CCSO Sheriff's Office scales back search for missing hiker
SEARCH UPDATE: Monday, Aug. 2, 2010
Today (Monday, Aug. 2, 2010), the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is scaling back its search for 57-year-old missing hiker Robert Bissell -- including suspending its active field search.
Portland resident Robert Bissell reportedly went hiking in a remote wilderness area of the Mt. Hood National Forest on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. He completed a wilderness pass at the Shell Rock Lake Trail Head, Trail #700, indicating he planned to hike into the Rock Lakes Basin at the head of the Roaring River wilderness area and camp. His completed permit stated that he intended to return on Friday, July 16, 2010. His intention was to hike from his camp to the numerous high mountain lakes in the area to fish.
By Monday, July 19, Robert Bissell had not returned home, and his brother, Michael Bissell, became concerned about Robert.
Michael Bissell located Robert's vehicle parked at the trailhead and then hiked into the Rock Lakes Basin -- where he found Robert's unoccupied campsite set up at Middle Rock Lake, off Trail #512. Michael Bissell left a note for Robert explaining he was concerned and asked his brother to contact him. Michael Bissell assumed his brother was on a day-hike from his campsite at the time.
Michael Bissell returned home and waited to hear from Robert. On Saturday, July 24, Michael Bissell had still not heard from Robert.
Michael returned to the Mt. Hood National Forest and found Robert's car and campsite were undisturbed -- and remained just as he had found them on July 19. Michael Bissell knew then that Robert Bissell was missing, and called the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office for help.
On the morning of Sunday, July 25, 2010 the Clackamas County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team began a large-scale search for Robert Bissell. The field search focused on the Roaring River wilderness, Rock Lakes Basin and the surrounding trail system and lakes including Serene Lake, Shining Lake and Shell Rock Lake. Robert Bissell's car, campsite and Portland residence were searched for clues. He was listed as a missing person in a national law-enforcement database. A request was forwarded to the media for information from anyone who might have contacted Robert Bissell after July 12, 2010. Flyers were posted in area campgrounds, trailheads, ranger stations and throughout the nearest town of Estacada asking for information regarding Robert Bissell.
The field search began that morning of July 25 -- and continued for eight consecutive days. Search efforts included the use of hundreds of volunteers, two fixed-wing airplanes, a helicopter, search dogs, mounted horse patrol, man-trackers, ATVs, and 4x4 vehicles -- and was supported by a complex field-radio communications network, a staff of emergency medical services personnel and a mobile kitchen. Volunteer search groups eagerly responded to help from as far south as Klamath County and as far north as the State of Washington.
Searchers, volunteers, equipment, logistics and support were provided by:
-- Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue
-- Mountain Wave Emergency Communications
-- Portland Mountain Rescue
-- AMR Reach and Treat (RAT) Team
-- American Red Cross
-- Search One Canine
-- NORSAR
-- CRESA – the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency from the State of Washington
-- Pacific Crest Search Dogs
-- Silverstar Search and Rescue
-- Clark County Sheriff Civilian Search and Rescue
-- Washington County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
-- Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
-- Klamath County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
-- Benton County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
-- Yamhill County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
-- Hood River County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
-- Lane County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
-- Marion County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
-- Portland General Electric
-- United States Forest Service
-- Oregon Army National Guard, Charlie Company, 7-158
-- Air Force Reserve 304th Rescue Squadron based out of Portland Oregon
-- Terry Schmidt, MD
-- Clackamas County Sheriff's Posse
-- Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Cadets
-- Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Aero Unit
As many as 70 searchers were in the field at a time for as long as 16 hours a day. The search continued at this scale for eight days -- during which time Robert Bissell was not located. Searchers covered trails, lakes, streams, creeks and steep wilderness. The search area covered more than 100 square miles of steep terrain covered with rock slides, downed timber and heavy brush. Some searchers camped in the area 24 hours a day during the search.
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office would like to thank all the volunteer groups, agencies and individuals who offered their time and efforts in the search for Robert Bissell. It is only with their extreme devotion and personal sacrifice that a search of this scale could occur. Robert Bissell's brother Michael Bissell also wishes to express his deepest gratitude to all of the searchers who helped search for his brother.
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team had extensive discussions with wilderness survival expert Dr. Terry Schmidt and Michael Bissell throughout the search. By the end of Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010, Robert Bissell had been gone for 19 days in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Given the amount of time Mr. Bissell had been missing, the intense search of the area, and the lack of clues regarding Robert Bissell's location it was determined the risk to searchers in the field outweighed the likelihood of recovering Robert Bissell.
In agreement with Dr. Schmidt and Michael Bissell, the Clackamas County Sheriff has suspended field search activities at this time and has scaled back the search for Robert Bissell.
Mr. Bissell remains listed as a missing person in the national database, flyers are still being circulated, and the Clackamas County Sheriff will continue to accept tips and information regarding Robert Bissell's location. The use of additional field searches will be re-evaluated if and when further information and clues are developed.
The Clackamas County Sheriff would again like to thank all of those who have helped and continue to help in the search for Robert Bissell. [END]
Sergeant James Rhodes
Clackamas County Sheriff
Search and Rescue
Jim Strovink, Detective
Public Information Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
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