UMASAR In Action

Lost Hikers 07/13/2024

At approximately 1400 on 07/13/2024 Umatilla County dispatch received a 911 call from an individual who sais she and her two companions were lost after starting a hike on the previous day. The caller said that they had lost the trail they had been following and were now cross country. She said in addition to being lost they had stumbled upon a bees nest and one of her companions had sustained bee stings and they were worried she was having a reaction, while the other companion had turned her ankle. The caller said they were unable to continue and needed help.

After receiving the call UMASAR personnel were able to determine a location based upon the 911 call which placed them in the lower portion of Lake Creek within the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness Area. UMASAR searchers responded with both a two-person hasty team and a litter extraction team. The hasty team immediately proceeded up the Buck Creek trail which provided access to the area. A litter extraction team followed with the equipment needed to extract a non-ambulatory victim.

The hasty team located the individuals at approximately 2000. The hasty team determined that all three victims were able to walk and that the bee sting victim did not appear to be in any danger. The hasty team hiked the victims back out to the Buck Creek trail and then back down to the Buck Creek trailhead where they were reunited with relatives and friends. The trio appeared no worse for wear after their adventure.