Searchers render aid to dehydrated hikers

A search and rescue team aided a party of hikers who had run out of water in high heat while hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail near Belknap Crater last Sunday.

Jenna Curtis, 23, Thomas Gradt, 26, and Brandon Durgan, 24, had been dropped off at the Pacific Crest Trail near the Hoodoo ski area earlier in the day. The three of them were hiking south along the PCT, headed toward Highway 242.

The party was very concerned about Gradt, who had lagged behind after they had run out of water. Gradt was displaying signs of a heat-related illness and he'd been left behind in hopes of locating water quickly and bringing some back to him.

However, after more than three hours of hiking, Curtis and Durgan had not found any water sources and were now too exhausted to hike back to Gradt's last known location.

Gradt was last seen hiking at a much slower pace along the PCT southwest of Mt. Washington. All attempts to reach Gradt by cell phone had failed. Messages were left for Gradt to call 911 if he regained cell reception.

While Deschutes County Search and Rescue Volunteers were responding to the junction of the PCT and Hwy 242, Curtis and Durgan made it out to Highway 242, where family members were waiting. Since Deschutes County Search and Rescue were almost to the PCT trailhead on Highway 242, Curtis and Durgan were advised not to go back out to get Gradt.

The Pacific Crest Trail, north of Highway 242, crosses over several miles of lava flow before reaching Belknap Crater and easier terrain.

As SAR members were arriving at the trailhead, Gradt called Deschutes County 911 and GPS coordinates were obtained for Gradt's location. Gradt was still on the PCT north of Belknap Crater. Gradt was advised to stay put and SAR members headed up the trail to assist him.

Deschutes County SAR members reached Gradt at 10:24 p.m. and began rendering aid. After being given fluids and observed for a while, Gradt was walked back out to the PCT trailhead on Highway 242. Gradt arrived at the trailhead and was reunited with friends and family without further incident.