Deschutes County Search and Rescue Foundation

09/03/2026

DESCHUTES COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SEARCH AND RESCUE VOLUNTEERS ASSIST STRANDED HIKER IN THREE SISTERS WILDERNESS

Sisters, Ore. -- On Wednesday, September 2, Deschutes County 911 received a Garmin SOS activation near Golden Lake in the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. The reporting party, a 56 year old woman from Silverton, Oregon, stated she was becoming hypothermic and required assistance.

At 12:51 p.m., Search and Rescue volunteers were dispatched. SAR members hiked approximately 6.5 miles through high winds, rain, and snow before locating the woman at 5:42 p.m. Volunteers provided dry clothing and warming blankets, then assisted her in walking back to the trailhead.

The woman was able to drive into town, where she stayed overnight to rest and recover. No injuries other than cold exposure were reported.

The Sheriff's Office commends our SAR volunteers for their commitment and professionalism in bringing this woman to safety under deteriorating weather conditions and a long return hike. SAR encourages all backcountry hikers to check weather forecasts, be prepared, tell someone their plans, and carry a reliable satellite communication device.

08/31/2026

🚨 BINGO FOR A GREAT CAUSE! 🚨

Join us Sunday, September 6 from 9:30 AM–12 PM at Silver Moon Brewing for Not’cho Grandma’s Bingo, benefiting the Deschutes County Search & Rescue Foundation!

Come spend your Sunday morning playing bingo, winning prizes, enjoying great music and supporting the volunteers who respond when our community needs them most. Bingo Bundles are $30 per person and include 2 cards per game for 6 games — 12 cards total!

This is one of the Foundation’s biggest fundraisers of the year, and we’d love to see Silver Moon packed with people supporting Search & Rescue. Bring your friends, family and neighbors and come have some fun with us!

🎟️ Grab your tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/notcho-grandmas-bingo-deschutes-country-search-rescue-foundation-tickets-1999047038505?aff=oddtdtcreator

🗓 Sunday, September 6 | 9:30 AM–12 PM
📍 Silver Moon Brewing | Bend, Oregon

Let’s fill the house for Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue! ⛑

Deschutes Country Search & Rescue Foundation is hosting Not'cho Grandma's BINGO! These tickets are for reservable tables & seats.

08/27/2026

This past weekend, we had the opportunity to train alongside a US Army National Guard Blackhawk crew. Our volunteers gained hands-on experience with aircraft and equipment familiarization, hot loading procedures, and tag lining techniques which are valuable skills that help strengthen our readiness for missions requiring helicopter support. We’re grateful for the opportunity to train together and build stronger partnerships with our military aviation partners.

08/25/2026

🚨Volunteer Spotlight 🚨
Meet Alexis Pinkley, one of the newest members of Deschutes County Search & Rescue and a graduate of the 2026 Academy Class. While she may be new to DCSAR, her commitment to service has been years in the making.

Alexis served as a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman from 2010 to 2018, where she developed a strong foundation in medicine, leadership, and service. Stationed in Lemoore, California, she served as an Aerospace Medical Technician with Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-94 and deployed aboard the USS Carl Vinson. During her military career, she also worked alongside search and rescue corpsmen and helped instruct at their school—an experience that strengthened her passion for helping others in challenging environments.

After leaving the Navy and transitioning to a career in healthcare compliance, Alexis thought that chapter of service had come to an end. Finding Deschutes County SAR gave her what she calls a “second shot” at serving a community she loves.

An avid whitewater kayaker, mountain biker, snowboarder, skier, and hiker, Alexis knows firsthand both the beauty and risks of recreating in Central Oregon.

“Central Oregon gives me so much,” she says. “SAR is my way of paying that back.”

As a member of the 2026 Academy Class, Alexis completed more than 110 hours of intensive training. What surprised her most wasn’t just the training—it was the people.

“We come from every walk of life, age, and background. It’s so cool being part of a community that brings all of that together around one mission.”

For Alexis, that mission is deeply personal. She recognizes that the people SAR responds to are often experiencing one of the most difficult days of their lives—and that any one of us could someday be in their position.

“Their worst day could easily be mine,” she says. “Helping them is not something I take lightly, and it means everything to be trusted with the responsibility.”

Welcome to the team, Alexis. We’re proud to have you answering the call!

08/19/2026

One of our newest Search & Rescue members is taking adventure to a whole new level!

Jeska Clark, who joined Deschutes County Sheriff's Office SAR through our 2026 Academy, is preparing to lead an Arctic expedition across Greenland in May 2027.

The team will travel roughly 400 miles while pulling 250-pound sleds loaded with their food, fuel and gear, trekking up to 10–14 hours each day. The expedition will honor the legacy of pioneering Arctic explorer Matthew Henson and will be documented along the way for an upcoming film.

We’re incredibly excited to follow Jeska’s journey and proud to have her as part of our SAR family!

Imagine dangling upside down, 200 feet in the air, unexpectedly caught in the device that’s supposed to be helping you rappel down the mountain. That’d be enough to make most people panic. Not Jeska Clark. “This sounds so silly, but my hair was hanging down — I had longer hair then — and i...

07/24/2026

07/13/2026

🚨Volunteer Spotlight🚨

Meet Keenan Bromley, a Deschutes County Search & Rescue volunteer whose passion for the outdoors is matched only by his commitment to helping others.

Keenan began his search and rescue journey at just 15 years old with Multnomah County Search & Rescue. Seven years later, he continues to serve there while volunteering with Deschutes County SAR after moving to Bend to attend OSU-Cascades.

When he’s not responding to missions, Keenan enjoys backpacking, hiking, skiing, and rock climbing. He also recently graduated from OSU-Cascades with a degree in Computer Science while balancing work as a software engineer at Siemens and part-time at REI.

Ask Keenan what he loves most about SAR, and his answer is simple: the people. He values serving alongside dedicated volunteers who are always willing to answer the call for someone in need.

One of his first missions with Deschutes County SAR reinforced why he volunteers. After helping locate a subject whose condition rapidly declined, Keenan watched the team work seamlessly together to provide care and safely bring the patient out. The subject made a full recovery—a reminder of the real difference volunteers can make.

His advice for anyone considering Search & Rescue?
“If it’s something you’re passionate about, go for it.”

At just 22 years old, Keenan has already built an impressive record of service, leadership, and dedication to his community. Thank you, Keenan, for answering the call.

07/10/2026

LINN COUNTY LOCATES MISSING CLIMBER ON MOUNT WASHINGTON

Undersheriff Micah Smith reports on July 9, 2026, at approximately 1458 hours, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a missing climber on Mount Washington. Robert “Bob” Pickering, age 77 of Nevada, was last seen ascending solo near the summit. A climbing guide that was leading clients on the mountain nearby reported hearing a rockslide on the east side of the summit shortly after seeing Pickering pass their location.

Linn County Search and Rescue Team, along with the U.S. Forest Service, responded to the remote area while a helicopter from the Oregon Army National Guard conducted an aerial search. At approximately 1730 hours, the helicopter crew located an individual matching Pickering’s description approximately 200 feet below the summit. It appeared Pickering suffered a fatal fall from near the summit to where he came to rest, and due to steep and hazardous terrain, rescue crews were unable to safely approach for recovery that evening.

This morning Linn County Search and Rescue, along with Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Mountain Rescue Unit, began attempts to reach Pickering and assess recovery options.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (Nevada), the Oregon Army National Guard, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management for their continued assistance with this operation.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to the family and friends of Robert Pickering during this difficult time.

06/23/2026

On Monday, June 22, 2026, at 7:14 p.m., Deschutes County 9-1-1 received a Garmin emergency activation from a 66-year-old man from Nampa, Idaho. He reported injuring his leg and shoulder after a slow-speed fall from his motorcycle near Cache Mountain in the far northwest corner of Deschutes County, about 10 miles northwest of Sisters.

Deschutes County Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers responded and reached the rider using all-terrain vehicles. They provided medical care on scene and then transported him to a waiting Sisters–Camp Sherman Fire District ambulance. The patient was taken to St. Charles Medical Center–Bend for further evaluation and treatment.

The Sheriff’s Office appreciates the quick work of our SAR volunteers and the support of our partner agencies in helping bring this call to a safe conclusion.

06/15/2026

We’re excited to continue our Volunteer Spotlight series, highlighting the incredible individuals who make our unit possible. From seasoned members to newer volunteers, each spotlight shares the stories, experiences, and motivations that drive our team both in the field and behind the scenes.

This month, we’re proud to introduce Taylor Bacci.

A six-year veteran of Deschutes County Search & Rescue, Taylor serves on both the Medical and Snowmobile Teams and is known for bringing a calm, focused presence to every mission. Originally drawn to SAR through a love of backcountry navigation and a desire to give back to Deschutes County, she quickly found a passion for the challenge, teamwork, and purpose that Search & Rescue provides.

Most recently, Taylor served as the 2026 Search & Rescue Academy Coordinator, helping recruit, plan, and train 24 new volunteers through a five-week academy. Seeing recruits grow into deployable searchers has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her SAR career.

“We’re very goal-oriented. We’re very focused. We’re in the moment, and we love what we do.”

When she’s not volunteering with SAR, Taylor can be found serving with Mt. Bachelor Ski Patrol, freelancing as a copywriter, exploring the outdoors, or supporting the organization as a board member of the Deschutes County Search & Rescue Foundation.

For Taylor, every mission is about restoring hope and helping bring someone home safely. That’s what keeps her answering the call, year after year.