LINN COUNTY, Ore. — A 77-year-old Nevada man is believed to have died after falling while climbing Mount Washington on Thursday afternoon, prompting a multi-agency search and recovery effort in the rugged Central Oregon wilderness.
According to Linn County Undersheriff Micah Smith, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office was notified at approximately 2:58 p.m. on July 9 that a climber was missing on Mount Washington. The missing climber was identified as Robert “Bob” Pickering, 77, of Nevada.
Investigators said Pickering was climbing alone and was last seen ascending near the mountain’s summit. A climbing guide leading clients nearby reported seeing Pickering pass their location before hearing a rockslide on the east side of the summit shortly afterward.
The Linn County Search and Rescue Team, assisted by the U.S. Forest Service, responded to the remote mountain while an Oregon Army National Guard helicopter conducted an aerial search.
At approximately 5:30 p.m., the helicopter crew located a person matching Pickering’s description about 200 feet below the summit. Authorities believe Pickering suffered a fatal fall from near the summit to the location where he was found.
Due to the steep, unstable, and hazardous terrain, rescue crews were unable to safely reach or recover Pickering Thursday evening.
Recovery efforts resumed Friday morning with personnel from the Linn County Search and Rescue Team and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Mountain Rescue Unit working to access the site and evaluate recovery options.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office in Nevada, the Oregon Army National Guard, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management for assisting with the operation.
The sheriff’s office also extended its condolences to Pickering’s family and friends as recovery efforts continue.
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