BEND, Ore. — April 23, 2026 — A multi-hour rescue operation unfolded Wednesday evening on South Sister after a hiker experienced a medical issue and showed signs of mild hypothermia during a descent.
According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue (SAR) teams were dispatched at approximately 4:45 p.m. on April 22 after receiving a call for assistance from two men in their 20s. The pair had traveled from the Philomath area to hike the popular Central Oregon peak.
The hikers had parked at Dutchman Flat, located near the base of Mount Bachelor, and were descending the mountain when one began experiencing medical distress compounded by cold exposure.
A team of 13 SAR volunteers from both medical and mountain rescue units reached the hikers around 8:25 p.m. One of the men was able to walk out unassisted. The second hiker, after being treated and warmed by SAR medics, was transported using a rescue sled due to his condition.
Crews navigated deep and variable snow conditions through the night, ultimately reaching Cascade Lakes Highway at approximately 3:45 a.m. Thursday. There, one hiker was transferred to a Bend Fire & Rescue ambulance for further medical evaluation, while the other was returned to his vehicle.
Officials are reminding outdoor enthusiasts to be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions in higher elevations. Even during periods of mild spring weather, temperatures can drop quickly after sunset, increasing the risk of hypothermia. Hikers are encouraged to carry adequate food, water, and appropriate clothing for alpine environments.
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