SAR rescues hikers on Three Sisters

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) spokesman Sgt. Jason Wall reported that on Saturday, August 5 at approximately 6 p.m., DCSO Search and Rescue (SAR) was dispatched to two lost and disorientated hikers between North and Middle Sister, near Hayden Glacier. Due to poor weather conditions and remote location, the unit requested assistance from a helicopter.

Life Flight agreed to fly two DCSO SAR volunteers to a landing zone as close to the subjects as possible. Life Flight transported the volunteers to the landing zone, arriving at 8:50 p.m. The location of the landing zone was approximately 1.8 miles from the lost hikers. The SAR volunteers arrived at the lost hikers at 12:30 a.m.

Volunteers advised the female hiker had an injury to her ankle, which prevented her from continuing down the mountain without the assistance of an air ambulance. Rescuers sheltered with subjects overnight and waited for availability of an air ambulance. Visibility cleared and Life Flight was able to fly, reaching a landing zone at approximately 11 a.m.

The woman was transported to St. Charles Bend via air ambulance for further evaluation and treatment of her injuries.