During the evening of September 1, 2018 (Saturday 7:45pm) Klamath County Search and Rescue was notified of a family stranded and lost on Mount McLaughlin. The family from Creswell, OR included children ages 10, 12, and 14 along with two dogs, lost the trail. As darkness approached they contacted the 911 Dispatch Center who attempted to guide them back towards the trail. When they were unable to continue, stuck in a boulder field without flashlights, the Klamath County Search and Rescue responded to the mountain. The searchers, Jason Pettigrew, George Milleneix, Nathan Stroh, Gary Vanderbloom, TJ Lombardi and Kelly Baker located the family 4 miles from the trail head and assisted them back to their vehicle, arriving at approximately 5:00am.
One of the dogs, a 100lb Labrador named Bailey, was unable to walk out and hitched a ride with the searchers who took turns packing him out. (See attached photo)
Many people lose their way on Mount McLaughlin each year leading to multiple searches shared by Klamath County Search and Rescue and the Jackson County Search and Rescue who alternate assignments due to the mountain being in both counties.
Ground Searcher Jason Pettigrew and Bailey
