Crook County resident helps Bend hiker who got lost in the Ochoco National Forest, sparking rescue effort

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Crook County Sheriff's Search and Rescue undertook a challenging rescue effort for a Bend man who got lost on a weekend hike in the Ochoco National Forest. As it turned out, he walked through the night after calling for help and found a home where a resident drove him back to his car, deputies said.

Crook County 911 dispatchers were notified on Sunday about a missing hiker near Lookout Mountain, county Emergency Manager AJ Crawford said Wednesday.

Brian Ichkhanian, 26, of Bend, told dispatchers he had become disoriented and needed help, Crawford said.

The sheriff's office SAR Team was immediately activated and deployed 17 personnel, as well as four snowmobiles, a Polaris Ranger, a K-9 team and a drone, Crawford said.

A deputy found the man's vehicle at the bottom of Lookout Mountain Trailhead, so search teams were deployed from several locations, including the vehicle site and other trail access points.

"The search environment was challenging, with heavily wooded terrain, steep uphill slopes, and icy and snowy conditions near the top of the trailhead," Crawford said a news release. "Continuous precipitation persisted throughout the night, complicating the search efforts."

Around 7 a.m. on Monday, Ichkhanian returned to his car. He said he had walked through the night and sought help by knocking on the door at a local residence.

Crawford said the resident helped him out by driving him back to his vehicle.

"Mr. Ichkhanian was exhausted and wet from overnight conditions, but otherwise healthy and safe," the emergency manager said.

"The Crook County Sheriff’s Office extends its gratitude to Crook County 911 Dispatch and the Crook County Search and Rescue Team for their rapid response and assistance in locating Mr. Ichkhanian," Crawford concluded.