Man rescued from Tumulus Trail

Published 5:02 am Thursday, March 1, 2018

Deschutes County Search and Rescue volunteers rescued a 25-year-old Wormleysburg, Pennsylvania, man who called for help after he believed his feet may have become frostbitten while camping overnight on the Tumulus Trail east of Bend.

Jesse Bupp called 911 just after 7 a.m. Tuesday and said he was extremely cold and could not walk because his feet and lower legs were numb and possibly frostbitten, according to a release from Deschutes County Search and Rescue. Bupp had appropriate clothes for camping and had lit a warming fire, but the fire had gone out.

Nine volunteers, one sheriff’s deputy and a search and rescue horse hiked about 5.5 miles to Bupp’s location and found him at about 11:35 a.m. They gave Bupp clothing, blankets and fluids, but he was unable to stand or walk. Rescuers helped him onto the horse, and he was led back to the trailhead.

Bend Fire Department personnel took Bupp to St. Charles Bend for evaluation, according to the release.

Searchers said Bupp had many appropriate supplies needed for camping in winter weather, including many warm clothing layers, sleeping bag, food, water, fire starting material, GPS, and a cell phone with a charging device. He did not, however, have a sleeping pad to protect him from cold from the ground.

Marketplace