Idaho Climber Still Missing on Mount Jefferson After Witnesses Report Unsurvivable Fall

LINN COUNTY, Ore. — Linn County Police reported that Jared John Empey, 37, of Kuna, Idaho, who fell after leaving to solo-summit Mount Jefferson on Friday in what witnesses described as a fall that was not survivable, is still missing.

Idaho Solo Climber Still Missing on Mount Jefferson

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from two climbers at approximately 1135 hours on Friday reporting a climber- later identified as Empey, an experienced climber- had fallen down the west side of the summit near the Red Saddle on Mount Jefferson before disappearing from view into the Milk Creek drainage.

Yesterday, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing person who had been climbing Mount Jefferson the day before and had missed scheduled check-ins with his wife. With this information and the backpack and gear recovered, the Sheriff named Empey as the hiker who fell the day before.

According to the Sheriff’s office, witness observations suggest Empey’s fall was not survivable.

An Oregon Army National Guard helicopter launched yesterday to search the area and found what is believed to be the climber’s backpack and other gear on the west side of the summit but was unable to locate the climber.

Ground search and rescue teams were deployed and started to hike into the base of Mount Jefferson, and the decision was made to have the teams hike in as far as they could in the evening before making a camp for the night. They planned to make the ascent at first light Saturday morning.

While recovery efforts are continuing throughout the day, the Sheriff is concerned that where Jared fell, recovery may not be possible.