Oregon Hunter Rescued

Oregon hunter rescued from the Mount Jefferson Wilderness.  Thankfully they had all the right gear.

PORTLAND, Ore. --

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team, along with Linn County Search & Rescue and the Deschutes County Search & Rescue Horse Team, undertook an all-day rescue effort for Mike McLaughlin, 59, of the Portland suburb of Clackamas, said Jefferson County sheriff's Capt. Marc Heckathorn.

McLaughlin fell while hunting in the Jefferson Lake area late Friday afternoon, making it impossible for him to walk out with his son-in-law and hunting partner, Brett Yeager, Heckathorn said.

Yeager helped him into a sleeping bag and tent and climbed down the mountain for help, taking about four hours along an overgrown trail, Heckathorn said.

A plan was devised, and teams from Jefferson, Linn and Deschutes counties began the search at 6 a.m. Saturday. Teams went in by two different routes, utilizing parts of the Pacific Crest Trail. The first team reached McLaughlin at around 1 p.m., and he was evaluated by medics, Heckathorn said.

The overgrown trail system in the area hampered rescue efforts, making the seven- to eight-mile trek very slow, the sheriff's captain said.

McLaughlin was brought by horseback to the Cabot Lake Trailhead, where he arrived around 8 p.m., Heckathorn said. He then left the area in a private vehicle to seek additional medical assistance, Heckathorn said, adding that he was in stable condition.

Yeager's father, Gary Yeager, said the two had gone up Thursday night and on Friday afternoon decided to switch locations.

“They were all packed and ready to go when Mike just stepped funny,” he added. “He couldn’t put any pressure on it.”

Brett Yeager then set the tent back up and made sure McLaughlin was in a sleeping bag and had plenty of food, then he started hiking back out.