LINN COUNTY, Ore. — Recovery efforts continued Saturday after an experienced Idaho climber is believed to have died following a fall while attempting a solo summit of Mount Jefferson, according to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Michelle Duncan said deputies received a 911 call at approximately 11:35 a.m. on Friday, July 24, reporting that a climber had fallen from the mountain.
The caller relayed information from two climbers who said they witnessed an unknown male climber fall down the west side of the summit near the Red Saddle before disappearing into the Milk Creek drainage. The climber was described as a man who may have been wearing a bright red jacket.
An Oregon Army National Guard helicopter was dispatched to search the area and located what investigators believe was the climber’s backpack and other equipment on the west side of the summit. Despite the aerial search, the climber could not be located.
Ground search and rescue teams were then deployed to the base of Mount Jefferson. Due to the challenging terrain and the late hour, crews hiked as far as possible Friday evening, established camp overnight, and planned to continue their ascent at first light Saturday.
At approximately 6:08 a.m. Saturday, July 25, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing climber who had failed to check in with his wife after attempting to summit Mount Jefferson the previous day.
Investigators confirmed that the backpack and climbing gear found during Friday’s search belonged to 37-year-old Jared John Empey of Kuna, Idaho. Authorities said Empey, an experienced climber, had been attempting a solo ascent of the mountain.
Based on witness accounts of the fall, investigators believe the incident was not survivable.
Recovery operations continued throughout Saturday, though officials said the steep and hazardous terrain where Empey fell may make recovering his body impossible.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Oregon Army National Guard, Oregon Department of Emergency Management, Corvallis Mountain Rescue, Eugene Mountain Rescue, Idanha-Detroit Fire District, and the U.S. Forest Service for assisting with the search and recovery effort.
“Our hearts and thoughts go out to Jared’s family and friends during this difficult time,” the sheriff’s office said.
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