News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office
Sheriff's Office suspends search-and-rescue mission on Mt. Hood
Posted: Dec. 16, 2009, 2:39 p.m.
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office announces with profound sadness that it must suspend the search-and-rescue (SAR) mission conducted on Mt. Hood in Clackamas County.
Sheriff Craig Roberts met with family members earlier this morning (Wednesday, Dec. 16) and discussed the hazardous conditions that persistently exist on the mountain. It was then mutually determined to cease all further search efforts -- this mission has now transitioned into a formal "recovery mode."
Sheriff Craig Roberts said, "My condolences go out to all the family and friends of Luke Gullberg, Katie Nolan and Anthony Vietti. One of the most difficult decisions I have to make as Sheriff is the decision to suspend search operations. I have consulted with all of the search-and-rescue experts at my disposal, along with the family members of Katie Nolan and Anthony Vietta, and have made the decision to suspect search operations at this time. I would like to thank all of the search-and-rescue personnel for the many hours they have spent on this search and others. Without these dedicated individuals, we could not perform difficult missions."
Anthony Vietti, age 25, of Longview, Washington, and Katie Nolan, age 29, of Portland, Oregon, have not been located, and have been the constant focus of this ongoing search mission.
Sheriff's Office SAR personnel found the body of one of the three missing climbers on Saturday, Dec. 12 at approximately 10 a.m. on the Reid Glacier, situated at about the 9,000-foot level of Mt. Hood. The recovered deceased climber was identified as Luke T. Gullberg, age 26, of Des Moines, Washington.
Family and friends of the three climbers have been here on the mountain, where they were personally comforted by Sheriff Roberts and his SAR Coordinators.
Sheriff Roberts is particularly thankful to the family and friends of each of these three victims for being such an inspiration -- very supportive and openly appreciative during this enormously heartbreaking series of events.
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is exceedingly fortunate to have the vast amount of volunteer resources at our disposal to participate in these types of complex and challenging missions –- missions performed admirably in an effort to hopefully save lives.
Sheriff Roberts wishes to express his sincere gratitude to all those that participated in this most recent vital mission. Those organizations -- working together to make a difference -- are identified as:
To the Oregon National Guard, on behalf of Clackamas County and the families: Thank you, as always for your assistance. We could not have been as successful in our search efforts without your active participation. You truly are "Always Ready, Always There."
In addition, a very special thank-you is extended to Dr. Teri Schmidt. Dr. Schmidt came to the mountain to speak directly with the family of the missing climbers and personally explained -- with extreme professionalism -- the survivability factors surrounding the missing climbers. Thank you, Dr. Schmidt!
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and the victim family members were graciously accommodated by the management and staff of Timberline Lodge. The generosity extended by Timberline Lodge made this difficult time a great deal more comfortable for all those involved during this ordeal.
EARLIER: Sheriff's Office searches for three climbers on Mt. Hood
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Contact Info: Jim Strovink, Detective
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office