Lost hiker found in Camp Sherman

Searchers found a 53-year-old Camp Sherman woman hypothermic and disoriented last week after she spent most of a cold night in the woods near her home.

According to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Bruce Byerly called police shortly after midnight on Wednesday, September 10, after he came home and was unable to find his wife.

All of Victoria Hall's personal belongings and her car were at home, leading deputies and her husband to believe she had left for a hike. She had last talked with a friend at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Hasty Team began a search that lasted most of the early morning hours. Searchers found her tracks at about 2:14 a.m. and spent several hours tracking Hall. By the course of her travel, it was apparent to searchers that Hall was disoriented.

Searchers finally heard her yelling at about 4:37 a.m. She was located at about 6:02 a.m. in the Lake Creek area.

Searchers reported that Hall was conscious and semi-alert, suffering from hypothermia. Sisters paramedics responded to the scene and assisted with her treatment and carrying her from the roadless forest area to a waiting ambulance. She was taken to meet an AirLink flight to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend where she received treatment.

Hall's situation prompted the sheriff's office to remind hikers to be prepared when going out in to the woods to sustain themselves overnight. Searchers often are called to find people who become disoriented in areas they are familiar with.

Temperatures can plunge even on a warm day to freezing levels, creating a risk of hypothermia and death.