Two Portland Men Die While Searching for Sasquatch in Washington Wilderness
General News
Thursday 2nd, January 2025
Two men from Portland, Oregon, tragically lost their lives while searching for Sasquatch in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, eastern Skamania County in the United States of America. The incident underscores the risks of venturing into remote wilderness areas without proper preparation, particularly during winter.
On Christmas Day, the 25th of December 2024, at around 1:00 AM, the Skamania County Communications Centre received a report of two missing individuals. The men, aged 59 and 37, had embarked on a Sasquatch search, planning to return on Christmas Eve. When they failed to arrive home, a concerned family member reported them as missing and endangered.
Flock camera technology, recently installed in the area, identified the vehicle associated with the men. This led search coordinators to locate their car near Oklahoma Road, close to Willard, Washington. Flock camera technology refers to a system of license plate recognition (LPR) cameras designed to capture detailed images of vehicles, including their licence plates, make, model, colour, and other identifying features. Developed by Flock Safety, these cameras are primarily used by law enforcement, neighbourhood associations, and businesses to enhance security and aid in investigations.
Over three days, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office organised a large scale search involving more than 60 volunteers, including canine units, drone operators, and ground search teams. Air support was provided by a United States Coast Guard helicopter equipped with forward looking infrared (FLIR) technology. Despite facing freezing temperatures, snowfall, heavy rain, and rugged terrain, the volunteers persisted in their efforts.
The two men were ultimately found deceased in a heavily wooded area of the forest, approximately 24 kilometres from their vehicle. According to officials, their deaths were due to exposure, worsened by extreme weather conditions and inadequate preparation.
The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the many organisations that supported the search effort, stating,
The Sheriff’s Office highlighted contributions from multiple search and rescue groups, including Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, Crag Rats, and the United States Coast Guard.
The search for Sasquatch, or Bigfoot, remains a popular yet controversial activity in the Pacific Northwest. Enthusiasts believe the creature, often described as a large, ape-like figure, inhabits remote forests in the region. Stories of Sasquatch sightings have been part of local folklore for decades, bolstered by anecdotal evidence, blurry photographs, and alleged footprints.
However, no scientific proof of Sasquatch’s existence has been found, making the pursuit a mix of myth, hobby, and adventure. For some, it’s a serious quest for undiscovered species, for others, a recreational escape into nature. Tragically, for these two men, the adventure ended in disaster.
The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office extended condolences to the families of the deceased, urging others to exercise caution when venturing into wilderness areas. The office emphasised the importance of preparation, including appropriate clothing, navigation tools, and awareness of weather conditions.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers associated with ill-prepared expeditions into challenging environments, especially during winter.
On Christmas Day, the 25th of December 2024, at around 1:00 AM, the Skamania County Communications Centre received a report of two missing individuals. The men, aged 59 and 37, had embarked on a Sasquatch search, planning to return on Christmas Eve. When they failed to arrive home, a concerned family member reported them as missing and endangered.
Flock camera technology, recently installed in the area, identified the vehicle associated with the men. This led search coordinators to locate their car near Oklahoma Road, close to Willard, Washington. Flock camera technology refers to a system of license plate recognition (LPR) cameras designed to capture detailed images of vehicles, including their licence plates, make, model, colour, and other identifying features. Developed by Flock Safety, these cameras are primarily used by law enforcement, neighbourhood associations, and businesses to enhance security and aid in investigations.
Over three days, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office organised a large scale search involving more than 60 volunteers, including canine units, drone operators, and ground search teams. Air support was provided by a United States Coast Guard helicopter equipped with forward looking infrared (FLIR) technology. Despite facing freezing temperatures, snowfall, heavy rain, and rugged terrain, the volunteers persisted in their efforts.
The two men were ultimately found deceased in a heavily wooded area of the forest, approximately 24 kilometres from their vehicle. According to officials, their deaths were due to exposure, worsened by extreme weather conditions and inadequate preparation.
The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the many organisations that supported the search effort, stating,
"These phenomenal volunteers also fought through freezing temperatures, snow, high water levels, heavy rain, downfall, and heavily wooded terrain. Their exhaustive search efforts resulted in bringing family members home to their loved ones."
The Sheriff’s Office highlighted contributions from multiple search and rescue groups, including Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, Crag Rats, and the United States Coast Guard.
The search for Sasquatch, or Bigfoot, remains a popular yet controversial activity in the Pacific Northwest. Enthusiasts believe the creature, often described as a large, ape-like figure, inhabits remote forests in the region. Stories of Sasquatch sightings have been part of local folklore for decades, bolstered by anecdotal evidence, blurry photographs, and alleged footprints.
However, no scientific proof of Sasquatch’s existence has been found, making the pursuit a mix of myth, hobby, and adventure. For some, it’s a serious quest for undiscovered species, for others, a recreational escape into nature. Tragically, for these two men, the adventure ended in disaster.
The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office extended condolences to the families of the deceased, urging others to exercise caution when venturing into wilderness areas. The office emphasised the importance of preparation, including appropriate clothing, navigation tools, and awareness of weather conditions.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers associated with ill-prepared expeditions into challenging environments, especially during winter.
