Clackamas County rescuers located two hikers in the Mt. Hood National Forest this holiday weekend, including a 52-year-old woman who injured her knee, and a 72-year-old who lost her bearings while trying to retrieve her missing dog.
Catherine Howell, 72, was missing for only a few hours on July 3 before being located by rescuers near Trillium Lake. She had been hiking with a friend, when her dog, Early, ran off — prompting the pair to split up to try and find him.
The Clackamas County Search & Rescue Team was activated, including the Trail Running Rescue Team — which consists of skilled, off-road ultramarathoners who can deploy on roads and trails during search and rescue missions. Three USFS law enforcement officers also assisted.
The teams located Howell and Early less than a mile up the trail — both tired, but uninjured. Howell, an experienced hiker, told searchers she had taken a wrong turn and was trying to get find her way out when rescuers located her.
On July 4, 52-year-old Kimberly Whipkey was hiking with her husband east of Upper Twin Lakes when she hurt her knee. The pair reached out to authorities for help, and the CCSO Search and Rescue Ground Team was activated again, with assistance from Pacific NW Search and Rescue and Mountain Wave.
Rescuers located the injured female hiker early the next morning, about three miles out on the Barlow Trail. After a medical assessment, it was determined she would need assistance getting out.
PNWSAR rescuers took over medical care for Whipkey and transported her back to the trailhead in a wheeled Stokes basket. The couple drove home at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 5.
A total of 20 search-and-rescue volunteers participated in the rescue. Mountain Wave provided a critical role by maintaining communications with search teams during the rescue.
