James Robert McDonald Obituary, Death: Authorities identify hiker found dead in Mt. Hood National Forest.
James Robert McDonald Obituary, Death – Authorities have identified James Robert McDonald, a 33-year-old experienced hiker from Ridgefield, Washington, as the man found dead in the Mt. Hood National Forest on Friday. McDonald’s family had reported him missing on Wednesday after he failed to return from a day hike. Although skilled in hiking, McDonald had not brought equipment for an overnight stay.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office initiated a search, mobilizing their volunteer Search and Rescue team. Snow tracks led rescuers to expand the search with additional support from Portland Mountain Rescue, Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, Hood River Crag Rats, and air support from an Oregon National Guard helicopter and a Hood River County Sheriff’s Office plane. Drones were also deployed to aid the search.
On Friday morning, Portland Mountain Rescue located McDonald’s body near the Hidden Lake Trail. Investigators do not consider his death suspicious, but the Clackamas County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause of death.
