PCT hiker with hypothermia rescued in Diamond Peak Wilderness
Oct. 25—A Northern California hiker was brought to warmth and safety in Douglas County after encountering unexpected downpours that worsened to snow flurries on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Douglas County Search and Rescue found 57-year-old Hassan Falsafi of Weaverville, California, cold, wet and suffering from hypothermia before dawn Saturday morning in the Diamond Peak Wilderness area of the Deschutes National Forest near the Douglas County border in Klamath County, according to a news advisory from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
Falsafi called 911 for help Friday night after his clothes, sleeping bag and other camping supplies got soaked in the rain when he was unable to get to shelter ahead of the cold, wet weather front.
Overnight, temperatures fell from 36 degrees to 30 degrees, causing the precipitation to turn from rain to sleet, hail and eventually snow. At one point Saturday morning about 3/4 of an inch of snow fell on the trail in the span of 20 minutes.
Klamath County search and rescue teams sought help from Douglas County in the search for Falsafi.
Douglas County SAR found Falsafi at 4:15 a.m. Saturday and treated him for moderate hypothermia.
An ambulance was turned away.
Rescuers gave Falsafi dry clothing and helped to warm him, then escorted him to a warm vehicle at the trailhead. Police say Falsafi was taken to Roseburg, where he arranged for family to pick him up.
