Following a three-day search for two Portland men who went missing while seeking Sasquatch in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, the Skamania County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue (SAR) team has been dealt a significant setback. Upon concluding the search, during which the men's bodies were tragically discovered, the team returned to find that their storage facility had been burglarized. Thieves had cut through a 10-foot chain link and barbed wire fence and broken into the equipment trailers, making off with nearly all of the team's essential rescue gear.
The stolen equipment encompassed a wide array of critical tools, including:
- Technical rope rescue gear
- Patient packaging equipment
- An Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
- Custom wilderness medical kits
- Hypothermic rescue kits
- Generators and other vital tools
- Training projectors
This loss severely hampers the SAR team's ability to respond to emergencies, potentially endangering lives in future rescue missions.
Community Support and Fundraising Efforts
In response to this devastating theft, the SAR team has turned to the community for assistance. As an independent nonprofit organization, they operate solely on donations, with no funding from federal, state, or local governments. All members are dedicated volunteers, receiving no compensation for their life-saving work. To replenish their stolen equipment, the team has launched fundraising campaigns on GoFundMe and Facebook. As of Monday afternoon 12/30, they have successfully raised almost $20,000, reflecting the community's strong support and recognition of the team's vital role in ensuring public safety.
Do you love Oregon?
Sign up for monthly emails full of local travel inspiration and fun trip ideas. In each newsletter we'll share upcoming events, new things to do, hot dining spots and great travel ideas.
Recent Search and Rescue Missions
The theft comes at a time when the SAR team has been exceptionally active. In recent months, they have conducted multiple rescue missions, including the recovery of a missing mushroom harvester near the Forest Service 93 Road and the extraction of a stranded hiker from the Loowit Trail on Mount Saint Helens. These operations highlight the team's dedication and the critical need for their specialized equipment.
Call to Action
The SAR team emphasizes that each piece of equipment is indispensable for the safety of both rescuers and those they assist. Without the necessary gear, their capacity to respond to emergencies—such as rescuing individuals stranded across rivers or those who have fallen from cliffs—is significantly compromised. They urge the public to contribute to their fundraising efforts to ensure they can continue their mission of saving lives.
For more information or to make a donation, please visit the Skamania County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue's official Facebook page and/or GoFundMe.
