Search continues for hiker 1

Ashland Daily Tidings (Ashland, OR — Wayback)

2003-05-14

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--> --> Associated Press Deschutes County Search and Rescue volunteers coordinate search efforts Sunday in a command trailer at Green Lakes Trailhead near Bend. Search continues for hiker BEND (AP) - Cold, wet weather could hamper the search for a 24-year-old Pennsylvania man missing for six days in the mountains of Central Oregon, officials said Tuesday. Danny Curran, of Springfield, Pa., has been missing since Wednesday, when he set off near dusk for the summit of 9,175-foot Broken Top, west of Bend. Three dozen people on foot and horseback, along with a search dog, were participating in the high-mountain search, said Deschutes County Sheriff's Sgt. Chris Nolte. A helicopter that had been used earlier in the week was grounded due to low clouds, he said. "There's been some urgency the last day or two," he said, due to worsening weather - including snow and rain. Danny Curran left his campground at Green Lakes, below Broken Top, Wednesday afternoon and began climbing the mountain with only a few hours of daylight remaining, his brother, Kevin Curran, told police. The area is one of the most rugged in Oregon because the high terrain features, old volcanic rock, huge boulders and glaciers create dangerous footing. Danny Curran did not report to camp that night, his brother said. The missing hiker was wearing hiking boots, a down jacket and blue jeans, and was carrying gloves and a cap but no backpack or other gear. "Down is a good insulator, so long as it's dry," Nolte said. Despite freezing overnight temperatures, rescuers said there is a chance Curran will be found alive. "It all depends on Mother Nature, how she's going to handle things for us," said Dave Mistal, volunteer coordinator for the Salvation Army in Bend, which has provided warms meals for the searchers since Friday. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing