PACIFIC CREST TRAIL HIKER RESCUED BY DOUGLAS COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE

Douglas Co. Sheriff's Office

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - A Pacific Crest Trail hiker was rescued in the Diamond Peak Wilderness on the Deschutes National Forest by Douglas County Search and Rescue. 

On Friday, October 21, 2022, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Klamath County Search and Rescue requested Douglas County SAR take a mission in the Diamond Peak Wilderness on the Deschutes National Forest in Klamath County due to not having available resources. A 57-year-old Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker, Hassan Falsafi of Weaverville, California, had called 911 and reported he had tried to beat the incoming weather front but was unsuccessful and needed emergent assistance. Falsafi stated all of his clothing, sleeping bag, and other camping supplies had become soaked with rainwater and he was experiencing hypothermia symptoms. 

Douglas County Search and Rescue deployed and was able to access the wilderness area from the PCT trailhead at Summit Lake and hike north on the trail to Falsafi's location. While searchers were enroute the weather continued to worsen from rain to sleet, hail, and eventually snow. Temps dropped from 36 F to 30 F; for period of time snow was falling so fast that 3/4 of an inch accumulated on the ground in 20 minutes. 

Searchers located Falsafi at approximately 4:15 a.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2022, and treated him for moderate hypothermia by providing dry clothing and helped to warm him. After Falsafi had improved, searchers escorted him out to a waiting warm vehicle at the trailhead. They arrived at the trailhead at approximately 7:00 a.m. and it was determined an ambulance was not necessary. 

Falsafi was transported to Roseburg where he arranged for family to pick him up.