Search continues for missing hiker

The search for a climber missing on Middle Sister since Wednesday resumed early Saturday morning, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

Ben Newkirk, 39, of Bend, fell while descending the mountain Wednesday evening. According to his climbing partner, Newkirk was at around the 9,500-foot level on the 10,047-foot mountain west of Bend when he fell and disappeared out of sight.

Poor weather has hampered search efforts since Wednesday evening.

Saturday morning, volunteers from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue and Lane County Search and Rescue were back at Middle Sister. Efforts have been focused on the Camp Lake area where Newkirk had established his base camp.