High wind, fog hampers search efforts for Mt. Hood hunter missing since Oct. 31

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Search and rescue teams are soldiering on in the quest to locate 51-year-old missing hiker Devon Dobek, despite poor weather conditions making the effort difficult, authorities said.

Dobek, who has been missing since Friday, Oct. 31, is an experienced hunter. He never returned from the Mount Hood National Forest, about 20 miles outside of Estacada, despite messaging a friend that he would return early after getting a deer.

Since then, the search and rescue effort has stretched on for days on end.

His truck was located near Fish Creek Trailhead off of Southeast Highway 224 and 54 Road, but there was no sign of Dobek himself, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said.

Clackamas County Search and Rescue began the search on Friday around 10:30 p.m., with reports of gunshots being heard, though the exact source was never found.

On Sunday, the National Guard, Air Force Reserves, drone teams and more than 100 personnel were part of the search effort. That effort has continued, with about 40 searchers deployed in the area on Tuesday and 70 deployed on Wednesday, officials said.

The sheriff’s office drone team also continued gathering images on Wednesday over difficult-to-reach terrain using thermal imaging cameras. However, fog interfered with visibility, ending the planned drone search early.

In addition, ground crews cited unfavorable weather conditions creating safety concerns, with high winds causing falling trees and limbs in some areas.

As the search continues, anyone with information about Dobek is encouraged to contact the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.