Pacific Crest Trail hiker thought he could beat rain and sleet. He had to be rescued

A hiker was walking along the Pacific Crest Trail when he thought he could outrun the weather.

A hefty line of rain, sleet and hail was about to hit along the iconic hiking trail at about 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon said.

A 57-year-old from Weaverville, California, thought he could beat the weather but ended up soaked. He had to call for help.

“(The man) stated all of his clothing, sleeping bag, and other camping supplies had become soaked with rainwater and he was experiencing hypothermia symptoms,” deputies said in an Oct. 25 news release.

Rescuers rushed to the area to help him. Weather, however, continued to worsen, deputies said.

“Temps dropped from 36 F to 30 F; for period of time snow was falling so fast that 3/4 of an inch accumulated on the ground in 20 minutes,” officials said.

They found the hiker shortly after 4 a.m., about six hours after he called for help, according to the sheriff’s office. He was given dry clothes to help him warm up, and rescuers escorted him off the trail.

The hiker was taken to a warm car at the trailhead at about 7 a.m. Officials determined he didn’t need to be taken to a hospital in an ambulance, and his family came to pick him up.

The Pacific Crest Trail stretches from Mexico to Canada. It weaves through California, Oregon and Washington. Thousands of hikers make the trek every year.

This story was originally published October 26, 2022 at 10:46 AM with the headline "Pacific Crest Trail hiker thought he could beat rain and sleet. He had to be rescued."