An Oregon hiker was successfully rescued from a 9,493-feet mountain after he sent his girlfriend a distress text and she was able to alert officials.
The 40-year-old daredevil climbed up Mount McLoughlin on September 28 but ended up getting lost on his way back as temperatures fell to 29 degree Fahrenheit.
After spending several hours traveling over a broken volcanic rock, he ultimately texted his girlfriend telling her that he was lost, running out of food and water and his cell phone battery running low.
His partner quickly relayed the request and alerted the Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon for a rescue.
The responders also contacted the Jackson County Sheriffs Search and Rescue team and began to look for the lost hiker.
Neither the hiker nor his girlfriend have been identified by authorities.
An Oregon hiker was successfully rescued from Mount McLoughlin, a 9,493-feet mountain after he sent his girlfriend a distress text and she was able to lead officials to him
According to a Facebook post by the Sheriffs Office, SAR was able to pinpoint his location and set out to reach him through cell phone forensics.
As responders walked over small-car shaped boulders to find him, SAR advised him to sit down and stay put as help arrived.
He was soon found wearing only a cotton t-shirt and shorts while suffering from extreme dehydration late in the night.
SAR advised the man to sit down and stay put to await help. At dark, wearing only a cotton t-shirt and shorts, he was out of water and food, and suffering from mild cramping in his legs due to dehydration and fatigue.
According to a Facebook post by the Sheriffs Office, SAR was able to pinpoint his location and set out to reach him through cell phone forensics
He was soon found wearing only a cotton t-shirt and shorts as well as suffering from extreme dehydration late in the night
A physician and SAR volunteer team member evaluated him at the scene and after rehydrating and feeding him high energy snacks, determined that he was able to hike out with assistance, the post read
A physician and SAR volunteer team member evaluated him at the scene and after rehydrating and feeding him high energy snacks, determined that he was able to hike out with assistance.
After reaching Highway 140, he was shuttled back to his car at the Pacific Crest Trail trailhead. He drove home on his own at about 12.30 AM, the post read.
Jackson County Search and Rescue Sargent Shawn Richards also warned that while Mt. McLoughlin is enticing to hike because it is visible from the Rogue Valley and looks easy, hikers should take more water than they think they need and never hike alone.
He also suggested that hikers planning to trek this peak should have a good paper or electronic map and familiarize themselves with the route, as it is very hard to identify near the summit.
Moisture wicking clothing (not cotton) worn in layers, and a wind shell are essential to survival.
Jackson County Search and Rescue Sargent Shawn Richards also warned that while Mt. McLoughlin is enticing to hike because it is visible from the Rogue Valley and looks easy, hikers should take more water than they think they need and never hike alone
The 5-mile long trail to the summit of Mt. McLoughlin initially begins as a moderate hike through stands of conifers but as elevation increases, the trail winds soon start becoming rocky terrain
To avoid getting lost or disoriented, the official said hikers should return back down the ridge, keeping the poles in sight until the trail leaves the ridge.
The 5-mile long trail to the summit of Mt. McLoughlin initially begins as a moderate hike through stands of conifers but as elevation increases, the trail winds soon start becoming rocky terrain.
Steep slopes, poor footing and coarse bare rock are common sights on the trail. There is also no water along the summit.
According to the Forest Service, a number of people become disoriented or lost on the way back down, usually due to coming down a different route than they used when climbing the mountain every year.
To avoid getting lost and disoriented, hikers should return back down the ridge, keeping the poles in sight until the trail leaves the ridge.