Search in progress at Mt. Rainier NP

[NPS Ranger]

A search and rescue is currently under way at Mt. Rainier. Our search subject is a 45 year old male believed to have arrived at the Kautz Creek trailhead on Monday, 3/17 around 7:00am. He is 6-0, 150lbs, brown hair, blue eyes. He may be wearing blue jeans, green flannel shirt, black suede jacket, gray cap and black gloves. He is believed to be minimally equipped, without snowshoes or skis.

 

On 3/18 search teams identified a single set of tracks on the Kautz Creek trail heading north from the parking area. These tracks have been followed to a point above the 3500' level, still on-trail, approximately 2 miles from the trailhead. Searchers are trying to determine if these tracks belong to our subject or another party.

 

If you have been on the Kautz Creek trail anytime since Saturday, 3/15, and believe that these may be YOUR tracks, or know of another party that may have left these tracks (single set, heading uphill, size 10sh shoes), or have any other information that may help, please contact the park here:

 

http://www.nps.gov/PWR/sendmail.htm?o=01HK%29NI3%3DJ%3B%2ETM0%2E%5CMQ%22DNP%20%20%0A&r=/mora/contacts.htm

 

or, call the Park Communications Center at 360-569-2211, extension 2334.

 

Thank you for any help you can provide!

Edited March 19, 2008 by NPS Ranger

[billcoe]

A search and rescue is currently under way at Mt. Rainier. Our search subject is a 45 year old male believed to have arrived at the Klutz Creek trailhead on Monday, 3/17 around 7:00am. He is 6-0, 150lbs, brown hair, blue eyes. He may be wearing blue jeans, green flannel shirt, black suede jacket, gray cap and black gloves. He is believed to be minimally equipped, without snowshoes or skis.

 

On 3/18 search teams identified a single set of tracks on the Klutz Creek trail heading north from the parking area. These tracks have been followed to a point above the 3500' level, still on-trail, approximately 2 miles from the trailhead. Searchers are trying to determine if these tracks belong to our subject or another party.

 

If you have been on the Klutz Creek trail anytime since Saturday, 3/15, and believe that these may be YOUR tracks, or know of another party that may have left these tracks (single set, heading uphill, size 10sh shoes), or have any other information that may help, please contact the park here:

 

http://www.nps.gov/PWR/sendmail.htm?o=01HK%29NI3%3DJ%3B%2ETM0%2E%5CMQ%22DNP%20%20%0A&r=/mora/contacts.htm

 

or, call the Park Communications Center at 360-569-2211, extension 2334.

 

Thank you for any help you can provide!

 

Thank you. ....anyone?

[mtn_mouse]

OK, I'll bite; are you talking about Kautz creek, just inside the Nisqually entrance?

[sobo]

At this point, I don't think the name of the trail really matters, but it was the Kautz Creek TH.

The subject, Mr. Ossman, was found deceased about two hours ago.

Details can be found by calling the Park at 360-569-2211 and selecting "9".

 

Sad day.

 

 

[ivan]

so what were the details, if it's not too macabre to ask? lost hiker succumbing to the elements or something more unusual?

[KaskadskyjKozak]

so what were the details, if it's not too macabre to ask? lost hiker succumbing to the elements or something more unusual?

 

Funny how little attention these accidents get in comparison to climbers on Hood/Rainier with the concomitant outrage vis a vis MLUs, rescue costs, etc.

 

 

[ivan]

so what were the details, if it's not too macabre to ask? lost hiker succumbing to the elements or something more unusual?

 

Funny how little attention these accidents get in comparison to climbers on Hood/Rainier with the concomitant outrage vis a vis MLUs, rescue costs, etc.

 

 

it's the fabric - folks wearing blue-jeans ain't sexy, but gore-tex slays!

[sobo]

so what were the details, if it's not too macabre to ask? lost hiker succumbing to the elements or something more unusual?

 

I would guess pretty much just that, as I piece together the OP and the info from the MRNP SAR Hotline.

 

Guy decides to take a stroll in the woods. Underdressed and unprepared for the conditions. Gets wet. Gets cold. Gets lost. Gets dead. Gets found. End of story.

[tomtom]

so what were the details, if it's not too macabre to ask? lost hiker succumbing to the elements or something more unusual?

 

A quick google of "rainer ossman" will locate a number of news articles.

 

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004293972_hiker20m.html

 

Hiker found dead on Rainier was talented musician

By Sara Jean Green

 

Park rangers found the body of Devin Ossman on Wednesday less than two miles from the trailhead where the 45-year-old Mukilteo man had parked his car Monday for a day hike on Mount Rainier.

 

"It's very sad — he was really not that far from the trailhead. He did almost make it," said Lee Taylor, a spokeswoman for Mount Rainier National Park.

 

Though an autopsy had not been performed, Taylor said it appeared Ossman died of exposure. He was wearing jeans, a flannel shirt, a jacket, a scarf and a hat.

 

"That's pretty light clothing to be up in the mountains this time of year, especially in wet and cold conditions," said Taylor, noting that overnight temperatures dropped below freezing.

 

A park ranger noticed Ossman's car shortly before nightfall Monday; his wife had reported him missing to Mukilteo police earlier in the day.

 

Searchers began looking for Ossman on Tuesday and came across a set of footprints late in the day at 3,200 feet but hadn't determined whether they belonged to Ossman before darkness forced them to call off the search, Taylor said.

 

Two rangers were sent back up the south end of the mountain early Wednesday and followed the tracks up to 4,200 feet. They traveled back down to 3,000 feet and found Ossman's body east of the Kautz Creek Trail around 11:30 a.m., Taylor said.

 

"Before they got to the end of his snow track, it looks like he was stumbling and falling," she said, adding that disorientation and loss of balance are indicators of hypothermia.

 

[ivan]

sucks.

[kevino]

Sad news.

 

Paul, was this the search people were talking about last night or was there another one?

[sobo]

It was another one. It was about three months ago. Guy got swept over Edith Creek Falls and buried right at the base of the falls. That's where Dave found him.

 

Kirk Reiser avalanche incident

[kevino]

No, I know about that one. They said they went on one earlier this week I believe. It could have just been a SAR one. Who knows.

[sobo]

hmm, I didn't get that call-out.

[denalidave]

Bummer.