Date: February 23, 2018

Time of Call: 1640 hours

Location: AC/DC snow shelter northwest of Edison Butte Trailhead

Rescued: Russell, David (75 yom) Mt. Hood, Oregon
Rescued: Russell, Judith (74 yof) Mt. Hood, Oregon

By: Assistant SAR Coordinator Deputy Aaron Myers

On February 23, 2018, at approximately 1640 hours, Judith Russell contacted Deschutes County 911 Dispatch and reported she was snowshoeing with her husband, David Russell, and dog near Edison Butte and became lost. Judith said they had been going around in circles for hours and were exhausted.

Judith reported being near a snow shelter, which was later determined to be the AC/DC snow shelter. She reported having a little food and water left. The Russell’s were properly dressed for the weather and had sufficient battery life for their phone. The Russell’s did not have a working light or way to start a fire.

The distance from the AC/DC shelter to the Edison Sno-Park is approximately 2.8 miles. Judith said they were not comfortable snowshoeing that distance in the dark. Two Deschutes County Sheriff‘s Office Search and Rescue Volunteers responded to Edison Sno-Park and deployed on two track quads to the Russell’s location. The DCSOSAR Volunteers traveled on a snowmobile trail, which took them approximately a quarter mile from the AC/DC shelter. They snowshoed to the shelter making contact with the Russell’s at 2015 hours. The DCSOSAR Volunteers transported the Russell’s to the Edison Sno-Park Trailhead, arriving at 2228 hours.

The Russell’s left the Edison Sno-Park trailhead at approximately 1100 hours. They carried no map of the area.

The Deschutes County Sheriff‘s Office would like to remind those recreating in the back country to ensure they carry the “ten essentials.”

1. Navigation (map and compass)
2.Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)
3.Insulation (extra clothing)
4.Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)
5.First-aid supplies
6.Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)
7.Repair kit and tools
8.Nutrition (extra food)
9.Hydration (extra water)
10.Emergency shelter