GOVERNMENT CAMP, Ore. — Deputies with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday rescued a family of six near Government Camp after they became stranded in several feet of snow overnight.
The family reported that they became lost after an 8-mile hike around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and were stuck in several feet of snow, the sheriff's office said. The family began their hike near the Salmon River Trail in Welches before hiking thousands of feet up the mountain.
Rescue trail runners were not able to reach the family until about 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning due to "challenging trail conditions," according to the sheriff's office. The agency added that a rescue helicopter was unable to land due to weather conditions.
A snowcat was working to bring the three adults and three children to safety, the sheriff's office said around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
The trail runners remained with the family and were able to start a fire for warmth, the sheriff's office said. As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, the snowcat was nearing the family's location but had yet to arrive.
According to the sheriff's office, no one was seriously injured. However, the family was understandably wet, cold and tired after the overnight ordeal. They expected to bring the family back down to safety within the space of a few more hours.
"Even with the great weather, we still want people to remember it was winter; it's just now spring," said Ross Clemson, spokesman for the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. "You could still face some super dangerous, hazardous conditions out here, so make sure to come prepared. Do some research before coming out here."
Around 5 p.m. Wednesday, Clemson said he expected rescuers to bring the family back to safety in the next couple of hours.
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said the entire family returned to the search-and-rescue command post around 7:30 p.m.
Over the weekend, sheriff's office teams rescued a climber who was struck by falling ice while descending Mount Hood.
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