Rebecca Halley, a 63-year-old hiker from Hillsboro, Oregon, suffered a severe fall while hiking Dog Mountain Trail in Washington on a trip to admire the wildflowers. Halley, who previously completed the hike five years ago, returned to the trail last Friday. Despite her experience as an avid hiker, she found the trail more challenging this time and stumbled while descending from the mountain peak.
The path down from Dog Mountain Trail is known for being steep and narrow, and Halley ultimately fell 300 feet. Although the fall could have been fatal, she remarkably sustained only minor injuries. Halley described her struggle to stay awake after the fall and her efforts to call friends for help.
Rescue operations commenced at around 1:30 pm, led by the Skamania County Sheriff's Office. Halley was found unconscious by rescuers and was evacuated by a U.S. Army medical helicopter, which transported her to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver for treatment.
Local hikers and volunteers, including Liam Kean from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team, have emphasized the importance of safety measures on challenging trails. Recommendations include staying put if lost, allowing others to pass, and carrying essentials like flashlights, food, and water.