Rescuers and family members are hopeful that they’ve found a lead in their search for Riley Zickel, a 21-year-old hiker who disappeared in the Mount Jefferson wilderness area last week.
Another hiker took a photo of a man standing next to a tent near Sprague Lake on Friday. The man in the photo could be Zickel, according to his family, but the Marion County Sheriff’s Office has not confirmed the identity of the man.
Crews completed checking the Mt. Jefferson area on Tuesday. They then shifted their focus north, toward Park Butte and the Pacific Crest Trail. After wrapping up search activities late Tuesday night, the search began again Wednesday morning.
Officials said Wednesday that 50 searchers were looking for Zickel in the southern part of Park Butte. Horse teams were searching for Zickel on the Camilia trail.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office shared photos of similar items that are being worn or used by Zickel, including his tent and hat. See the photos here (tent) and here (hat).
Zickel will be a Senior at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, with a major in chemistry and a minor in music. Zickel intended to camp overnight at Jefferson Park on July 27 and possibly summit Mt. Jefferson, according to Sgt. Don Parise of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Zickel, who is originally from California, planned to meet friends the following day and head north for another hiking trip, but never showed up.
“We have learned Mr. Zickel is an experienced hiker who is reported to have appropriate equipment for this trip and adequate amount of food,” Parise said.
Zickel brought enough provisions (food and supplies) to last four days. Zickel also reportedly has a cellphone, but crews have not been able to locate its signal.
“Its a difficult search because of the area and obviously it almost becomes that proverbial needle in a haystack at this point,” said Lt. Chris Baldridge. “The wilderness is very vast. There’s multiple trails he could have taken, and so it expands our search grid to be very large, instead of in a smaller area.”
“We have learned Mr. Zickel is an experienced hiker who is reported to have appropriate equipment for this trip and adequate amount of food,” Parise said.
Zickel brought enough provisions (food and supplies) to last four days. Zickel also reportedly has a cellphone, but crews have not been able to locate its signal.
“Its a difficult search because of the area and obviously it almost becomes that proverbial needle in a haystack at this point,” said Lt. Chris Baldridge. “The wilderness is very vast. There’s multiple trails he could have taken, and so it expands our search grid to be very large, instead of in a smaller area.” Zickel’s parents are both in Marion County, assisting in the search. “He’s a real enthusiastic kid. He’s real positive, real likeable,” said Robin Zickel, Riley’s father. “And I think he just thought, ‘This is so cool — I’m just gonna keep going.’ That’s what I’m hoping.” “I’m impressed with every single person I’ve met since we’ve gotten to Oregon,” Robin Zickel said. “I’m extremely happy with the work that’s being done and the crews are just extraordinary. I can’t say enough to thank everyone.”
Anyone who has seen Zickel or has any information is asked to call the search tip line at 503-584-7724.
Meanwhile a body found by hikers on Mount Adams, in Yakima County, is believed to be that of a 60-year-old other missing hiker.
Yakima County Sheriff’s Sgt. Randy Briscoe says the person’s identity has not been confirmed, but rescuers believe it is Robert Burroughs, of Stevenson. Hikers located the body Sunday. Briscoe says rescuers won’t be able to recover the body until Tuesday because of conditions on the 12,280-foot volcano.
The search for Burroughs began July 17 after authorities received a cellphone call from him. He reported being injured after getting disoriented in fog and falling down a 1,000-foot slope. Searchers said he reported a head injury and was unable to tell them where he was. Previous searches for him were hampered by bad weather that limited visibility and dumped snow, sleet and rain on the mountain.
