BEND, Ore. — A Deschutes County sheriff’s officer says an 82-year-old Bend, Ore., hiker who was making what was described as an “unusually slow” descent from South Sister peak has been flown off the mountain.
Deputy Jim Whitcomb says Robert Haynes was flown to a Bend hospital Monday evening for a medical screening. He was not hospitalized.
Other hikers contacted the Forest Service on Monday after coming across Haynes and being concerned about his welfare. The Forest Service contacted the sheriff’s search and rescue unit.
Whitcomb says the man began a solo climb Sunday and reached the 10,358-foot summit but by then it was too dark to descend. He started coming down Monday morning. Haynes has been making the climb annually for many years.
A ranger and search and rescue responders were concerned about the potential for injury if the man continued his hike. Whitcomb says the man finally agreed to be flown out by helicopter.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.