An 85-year-old hiker rescued after spending the night in the mountains

SKAMANIA COUNTY, Wash. (TMX) – An 85-year-old man was rescued early Thursday after being reported late on a Wednesday hike at Wind Mountain in Washington state, authorities said.

The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office said the man’s son reported him late around 11:18 p.m. Wednesday after being unable to reach him by phone. The man had been out hiking on Wind Mountain, east of Stevenson, around noon that day.

A sheriff’s deputy responded to the Wind Mountain trailhead as volunteers were gathering for a search and located the man’s vehicle. Around 1:21 a.m. Thursday, volunteers with the sheriff’s office search and rescue team located the man approximately 75 feet from the trail.

Due to its location and “rough terrain,” a rope rescue team was requested, along with human help. Skamania County Emergency Medical Services personnel and volunteers from the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Bureau, Skamania County Fire District 1 and Skamania County Fire District 2 responded to the scene.

The man was eventually brought to the trailhead around 7:14 a.m. Thursday and was transported to the hospital for treatment. The sheriff’s office did not specify the nature of his condition or possible injuries.

“This mission is a direct reflection of the phenomenal collaborative efforts of numerous teams that accomplished a difficult but successful rescue,” Skamania Sheriff Summer Scheyer said in a statement. “The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, as always, greatly appreciates the efforts made by our volunteers and paid professionals who are willing to help provide these invaluable services.”

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