This article originally appeared on The Trek, which you can read here.
On October 30th, a local Oregon Forest Patrol deputy noticed a half-barefoot set of snowy footprints on the PCT and decided to follow them. The tracks led them to a hypothermic PCT hiker who had been missing for four days. The Marion County, OR Sheriff’s Office shared details of the rescue on Facebook.
Forest Patrol Deputy Ramseyer was patrolling when they noticed the unusual footprints on the trail near Breitenbush Lake. One print was a normal boot sole, but the other appeared to be barefoot. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Ramseyer “became concerned for the individual’s safety” and began following the tracks.
Ramseyer followed the tracks for nearly 5 miles before discovering a hiker wrapped in a sleeping bag in the middle of Forest Service Road 4220 (PCT northbound mile 2042.5). The man was transported to Detroit, OR, where he was treated for frostbite and hypothermia. Officials have not identified the man but said he had been missing for four days.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office praised Deputy Ramseyer, saying their “vigilance and commitment likely saved the man’s life.”
While no additional information has been released about the circumstances of the rescue (or how the hiker apparently ended up half-barefoot), the post also urged hikers to prepare adequately.
“This is also an important reminder to always be prepared when heading into the wilderness,” they wrote. “Carry (a Garmin) inReach or similar emergency communication device and remember that weather conditions can change suddenly at higher elevations. Always hike prepared!”
As late fall and winter weather conditions approach, it’s more important than ever to be prepared for a variety of conditions. Let someone off-trail know your plans and be sure to carry the basics for survival if plans go awry.
Featured image via Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
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