Search And Rescue On Mt. Hood For Stranded Climber‏

View of Mount Hood from the West

By Albany Tribune -- (November 28, 2012)

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting a search-and-rescue mission to retrieve a stranded climber on Mt. Hood.

The stranded climber has identified himself as Jeff Kish, 30, of Portland, Oregon. He set out to the Summit of Mt. Hood from Timberline Lodge at 2:30 am this morning. Kish registered his climb at the lodge this morning and estimated his time of return to be 3:00 pm.

Portland Mountain Rescue has sent a 13-man team to the Palmer Ski-lift which is at the 6,900 foot level. They traveled to that location in a snow-cat. From there the team will ascend on foot to the bottom of Crater Rock. Kish is believed to be at that location according to GPS coordinates obtained from his cell phone.

Kish told deputies he is prepared for the elements — with adequate clothing and enough food and water to last for a few days.

Kish has been in consistent contact with deputies on his cell phone. He has also been in contact with family and friends. Kish told search-and-rescue coordinators that he has been posting messages on his Facebook account with his cell phone.

Visibility at Kish’s location is about four feet. The area is surrounded by clouds and one to three inches of snow is expected overnight.

Article updated with new information