Couple gets separated and lost for days while mushroom picking in Oregon, cops say
A couple became lost and separated for days while mushroom picking in Oregon woods, deputies said.
The man found his way out of the woods and called for help from a home at about 2:30 p.m. Nov. 6 near Mercer Lake, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
He told authorities he had become separated from his girlfriend for the past couple of days after they set out to hunt for mushrooms near Florence, deputies said.
Rescuers started searching for her and found her later that day in a part of the woods that was “very difficult to access,” deputies said.
She was disoriented with hypothermia and had difficulty moving, deputies said.
A helicopter was used to try to hoist her to safety but heavy fog stopped rescuers, deputies said.
Instead, a group of rescuers stayed with the woman overnight and helped her hike out of the woods the next morning at about 5:30 a.m. Nov. 7.
She was taken to an ambulance and then a hospital, deputies said. Rescuers did not disclose the woman’s current condition.
Florence is a city on the Oregon coast, about 61 miles west of Eugene.
What to do if you get lost
If you think you’re getting lost, experts say it’s best to stop where you are and not panic. You should go over how you got to that point and if you’re able to see any landmarks around.
“Do not move at all until you have a specific reason to take a step,” officials with the U.S. Forest Service said.
You should come up with a plan but stay put unless you are “very, very confident in the route.”
There are steps people can take to avoid getting lost and be better prepared for the unexpected:
Have more than enough food and water with you.
Take a compass that you know how to use, or have a GPS device on hand.
Don’t rely solely on your cell phone. It probably won’t work because of a lack of signal or a depleted battery.
Study the terrain and your route, and you should know how you’ll return.
Have the right clothing. Sturdy hiking boots and layers can help you be prepared for rapidly changing weather.
Pack a blanket, flashlight and matches.
Check with a local ranger for special warnings. They can tell you about “fires in the area, bear sightings, flooding, trail or road closures.”
This story was originally published November 8, 2023 at 12:33 PM with the headline "Couple gets separated and lost for days while mushroom picking in Oregon, cops say."
