News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office
CCSO: *UPDATE* MT HOOD SEARCH AND RESCUE FOR STRANDED CLIMBER
Posted: November 29th, 2012 12:24 AM
******Update*******
Jeff Kish was located by members of the search team at approximately 11:45 pm. Jeff was near a second set of coordinates deputies obtained from his phone. The search team that found him checked his condition and advised paramedics were not needed. At this point the search team is working to warm Jeff up and will determine the best way to assist him down the mountain.
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The stranded climber has identified himself as Jeff Kish, 30, of Portland, Oregon. He set out to the Summit of Mt. Hood from Timberline Lodge at 2:30 am this morning. Jeff registered his climb at the lodge this morning and estimated his time of return to be 3:00 pm.
Portland Mountain Rescue has sent a 13-man team to the Palmer Ski-lift which is at the 6,900 foot level. They traveled to that location in a snow-cat. From there the team will ascend on foot to the bottom of Crater Rock. Jeff is believed to be at that location according to GPS coordinates obtained from his cell phone.
Jeff has been in consistent contact with deputies on his cell phone. He has also been in contact with family and friends. Jeff told search-and-rescue coordinators that he has been posting messages on his Facebook account with his cell phone.
Visibility at Jeff's location is about four feet. The area is surrounded by clouds and one to three inches of snow is expected overnight.
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is currently conducting a search-and-rescue mission to retrieve a stranded climber on Mt. Hood.
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The climber has been identified as a 30-year-old male who lives in Portland, Oregon. He has been in contact with deputies since this afternoon via his cell phone. At this writing, he is not injured. He told deputies he was unable to return due to bad weather.
The climber told deputies he is prepared for the elements -- with adequate clothing and enough food and water to last for a few days.
Deputies have been able to obtain enough information from the climber to coordinate a recue team.
A team is preparing now to travel to the climber -- who is believed to be above the 10,000-foot level -- to retrieve him and return to the command post.
More information will follow as this rescue unfolds.
The lower lot at Timberline is the staging area for media outlets.
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