BEND, Ore. – A hiker from Benton County was rescued from South Sister on Wednesday after experiencing a medical issue and becoming mildly hypothermic, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.
Two men in their 20s drove from the Philomath area to hike the mountain. They parked at Dutchman Flat at the base of Mt. Bachelor and were heading back down when they called for help around 4:45 p.m., according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. Thirteen volunteers from the Search & Rescue Medical and Mountain Rescue teams reached the hikers at 8:25 p.m. One hiker walked out without help. The second was warmed up by SAR medical personnel and transported in a Cascade rescue sled.
SAR crews arrived at Cascade Lakes Highway with the hikers at 3:45 a.m. after navigating deep, variable snow. One hiker was transferred to a Bend Fire & Rescue ambulance for further evaluation. The other was taken to his car…