Hikers lost in wilderness due to cellular device failure

Search and Rescue hikers heading into the wilderness at dusk. (Image: KCSO)

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - On July 18, 2023, at 2:20 PM, the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) was advised of a lost group in the Sky Lakes Wilderness that was without water. The hiking party consisting of two adult males and a 10-year-old juvenile were navigating via a cellular electronic device that had lost its signal.

Concerned family members shared the last known GPS coordinates of the lost hikers with KCSO.

Klamath County Search and Rescue (SAR) responded to the area and deployed a five-person search team into the wilderness with an anticipated 12-15 mile hike ahead of them.

As the search began, the search team lost cellphone service.

A few hours later, SAR Search Managers received a text from the lost hikers and determined their location had changed. The lost group was now on the Pumice Creek trail on the side of Goose Egg Mountain.

Using radio communications, this information was relayed to the search team. They were then able to respond to the new location and met up with the lost hikers. The Search team was able to provide water and helped the hikers to a trailhead where they were reunited with family members.

The hikers became lost when the cellular device they were using could not update their mapping app.

SAR Search Managers would like to encourage people to use GPS-based mapping systems when enjoying the remote areas of Klamath County and not rely on cellular devices for this type of information. There are large amounts of Klamath County that do not have cell phone coverage.

“Thank you Klamath County Search and Rescue,” said Klamath County Sheriff Chris Kaber. “This group is comprised of volunteers who undertake scores of missions like this each year to ensure the safe enjoyment of our recreational resources. We would be lost without them.”