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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (March 13, 2019)
Wednesday, March 11, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon RESCUE: Men faced serious threat from extreme cold Continued from page 1 Backcountry Inc. When DCSO SAR teams arrived at the hut at about 9:31 p.m., it was confirmed there was no one at the shel- ter, nor were there any fresh tracks in the snow in the immediate area. Four of the six snowmobile riders then deployed on skis to check the cross country trail in both directions that pass by the hut. At about 9:49 p.m., two DCSO SAR Volunteer ski- ers located fresh tracks in the snow. At about 10:15 p.m., not one, but two male Nordic skiers were located about .25 miles south of the Happy Hut shelter. One of the skiers, Ted Gifford, 63, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was suffering from a life- threatening condition as a result of the temperature and snow conditions. The second skier, Robert Skille, 73, of Silverton, Oregon, was found in much better condition, but still extremely cold. DCSO SAR volunteers immediately began warming efforts with Gifford. It was learn ed th at Gifford and Skille had been on a multi-day backcountry Nordic ski trip with planned overnight stops at the various Three Sisters Backcountry warming shelters. They began their trip on Tuesday, March 5, but were never able to find their Tuesday night shelter, forcing them to take cover overnight in a tree well. They also had lost one of their cell phones, leaving them with only one cell phone with question- able service. They attempted numerous times to call out on their cell phone without suc- cess, before finally getting through with the one broken 911 call. DCSO SAR volunteers on scene with Gifford and Skille quickly determined Gifford would not be able to move on his own and requested addi- tional volunteers respond to their location to help trans- port him via rescue sled to the closest snowmobile trail. Five additional DCSO SAR Volunteers responded to the skiers9 location to assist with the sled transport of Gifford. Gifford was transported via rescue sled approximately 300 yards through deep snow and arduous conditions, where volunteers were able to transfer him to an enclosed and heated ambu-sled. The ambu-sled was then trans- ported via snowmobile back to Mt. Bachelor parking lot, arriving at approximately 2:30 a.m. This tragedy should serve as a solemn reminder of the inherent dangers associated with recreating in the backcountry, especially during cold weather events. Bend Fire Department Personnel were standing by and both Gifford and Skille were transferred to their care as soon as they arrived. Skille had been able to hike to the snowmobile trail with DCSO SAR volunteers and was transported down the moun- tain on a snowmobile capable of carrying two riders. Air Ambulances were unable to fly due to the weather conditions. Bend Fire transported both Gifford and Skille to St. Charles Hospital in Bend for further treatment. The Deschutes County S h e r i ff 9s O ff i c e l a t e r announced that Gifford died on the evening of March 8. Skille was treated on March 7 and was released. The Deschutes County Sheriff 9s Office thanked the Sisters Sno-Gopher Snowmobile Club, who had a trail groomer in the area, which was able to groom the trails between Dutchman Flat through Snowmobile Trail 8 near the area of Happy Hut Shelter. This facilitated a quicker/safer response. DCSO SAR Coordinator Lt. Bryan husband expressed <great sadness= at Gifford9s death and noted that, <This tragedy should serve as a sol- emn reminder of the inher- ent dangers associated with recreating in the backcoun- try, especially during cold weather events.= Your Local Expert Erika Bartorelli Broker r erika.bartorelli@cascadesir.com 541.527.6115 A tradition of excellence, ce, trust t ust & service se ce HAVING BEEN A 9, RESIDENT SINCE 1989, I KNOW SISTERS… LET’S FIND YOUR DREAM HOME! Call Winfield Durham, Broker LICENSED BROKERS IN THE STATE OF OREGON 541-420-9801 625 N. Arrowleaf Trail, Sisters Ready For Spring Builds... SQUAW CREEK CANYON RECREATIONAL ESTATES Sold Sold BLM 920 Bond St., Ste. 200, Bend 8 35 0 7 Rawhide Dr. Sold Sold MLS#201811465 Build your dream home in this CC&R-protected neighborhood just 10 minutes from Sisters. Paved street, utilities stubbed to each lot. No manufactured homes or horses. 541-390-4961 Shannon Mathisen, Broker 541-948-5067 Listed by: Patrick Trowbridge, Broker TEE HARBOR CONSTRUCTION WILL BUILD TO SUIT! TeeHarborConstruction.com orCons s t r u • 541-504-8883 70263 Longhorn Dr., Sisters 2,029 sq. ft. | 3 bedrooms, 3 baths 3-car garage | High-end custom finishes Completed except for exterior stain $679,000 3 32 70 Sold N Sold Longhorn Dr. 2.5-acre lots from $130,000-$180,000 23 8 33 70 8 31 70 8 28 70 Sold Spur Dr. Sold 3 20 70 3 18 70 3 16 70 Sold Sold 8 18 70 8 16 70 Buffalo Dr.