Missing mushroom hunter wanders the woods in Crocs and wool socks, Oregon cops say
A missing mushroom hunter spent a night wandering in the cold woods in Oregon while wearing Crocs and wool socks, deputies said.
The 77-year-old man from Corvallis was reported missing at about 9:30 p.m. Nov. 22, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
Rescuers said they found him the next day at about 3:30 p.m. “down a steep drainage near a creek.” He was found near Philomath, about 1.5 miles from his vehicle.
He wasn’t able to hear rescuers because he wasn’t wearing his hearing aids, deputies said. He was also in a “weakened state” because of a recent back surgery, rescuers said.
He spent the night moving to stay warm without proper gear, deputies said.
Rescuers said he was airlifted to a hospital in Corvallis.
Philomath is about 40 miles southwest of Salem.
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 you 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 27, 2023 at 11:30 AM with the headline "Missing mushroom hunter wanders the woods in Crocs and wool socks, Oregon cops say."
