Mount Hood Volunteers Rescue Lost Hiker in Storm

When a hiker became disoriented in thick clouds and heavy rain on Mount Hood, volunteer rescue teams worked through the night to bring him home.

The hiker set out from Timberline Lodge on Saturday morning, September 5, climbing to 4,000 feet on the south side of the mountain. Poor visibility during his descent caused him to veer off course, leaving him stranded at the top of a waterfall in the lower Big Zig Zag Canyon.

Cold, wet, and unable to navigate the treacherous terrain alone, he called for help that evening. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office immediately activated volunteer teams from Portland Mountain Rescue and Clackamas County Search and Rescue.

Volunteers arrived at the command post at 4 a.m. Sunday and reached the stranded hiker by 9 a.m. But the rescue was just beginning.

Near-freezing temperatures, snowfall, high winds, and steep canyon walls meant the team had to wait for additional personnel and equipment before attempting to move him. The Hood River Crag Rats and Mountain Wave volunteers joined the effort.

After carefully navigating the dangerous terrain, rescuers got the hiker safely back to Timberline Lodge by 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The entire operation lasted more than 14 hours in brutal conditions.

Why This Inspires

These volunteers didn't get paid a dime for spending their weekend in freezing rain and snow. They trained for years, woke up before dawn, and risked their own safety because someone needed help.

Portland Mountain Rescue used the incident as a teaching moment, reminding backcountry hikers how easily Mount Hood's weather can turn dangerous. They urge everyone heading into the wilderness to carry a GPS, compass, and paper map.

Thanks to their skill and dedication, one hiker got a second chance and a powerful reminder about the kindness of strangers.