Searchers aid PCT hikers who ran out of water

Deschutes County rescuers spent several hours assisting three people who ran out of water and became dehydrated Sunday afternoon while hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail south of Mt. Washington.

County 911 dispatchers got a call around 5:40 p.m. from the group that had run out of water while hiking near Belknap Crater, said sheriff’s Special Services Deputy Liam Klatt.

Thomas Gradt, 26, of Eugene; Jenna Curtis, 23, also of Eugene, and Brandon Durgan, 24, of Salem, had been dropped off at the PCT near Hoodoo Ski Area earlier Sunday, Klatt said. The three were hiking south toward Highway 242 (the McKenzie Pass Highway).

The hikers reported they were very concerned about Gradt, who had lagged behind after the water ran out, Klatt said. They told dispatchers he was displaying signs of a heat-related illness, and he was left behind in hopes of finding some water fast and bringing some back to him.

However, after more than three hours of hiking, Curtis and Durgan had not found any water – and they said they now were too exhausted to hike back to Gradt’s last known location, Klatt said.

Gradt last was seen hiking very slowly along the trail southwest of Mt. Washington. Klatt said all attempts to reach him by cell phone failed, and they left messages for him to call 911 if he retained cell phone reception.

County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers responded to the junction of the PCT and Highway 242. Meanwhile, Curtis and Durgan made it out to family members waiting at that location, Klatt said.

Since SAR teams were almost to the trailhead on Highway 242, the pair was advised not to go back out to get Gradt. Klatt noted that the trail north of the highway “crosses over several miles of lava flow before reaching Belknap Crater and more pleasant terrain.”

As SAR members arrived at the trailhead, Gradt called 911, and GPS coordinates were obtained for his current location, still on the trail north of Belknap Crater, Klatt said. Gradt was advised to stay put, and SAR members headed up the trail to help him.

The SAR volunteers reached Gradt around 10:30 p.m. ad began rendering aid, Klatt said. After being given fluids and observed for a while, he was walked back out to the trailhead on Highway 242, where he was united with friends and family around 2:15 a.m. Monday.