Man rescued after lost in Wilson Creek area

KITTITAS COUNTY, WA. A 62-year-old man was rescued after becoming lost in the Wilson Creek area, according to the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office.

Doug Hookland called 911 after getting lost while hunting in the area and seeking shelter. The call was disconnected due to poor signal, prompting deputies to deploy search and rescue volunteers.

Search teams searched the area until the early morning, but were forced to stop due to heavy fog and snowfall. Before dawn, Hookland managed to contact Kittcombe after he took cover under a tree in a deep ravine. He ascended to a location with sufficient signal strength for Kittcom to provide search teams with his coordinates.

Despite difficult weather conditions, the rescue team found Hookland by midday. With outside help, he was able to leave the area.

Hookland was assessed for hypothermia and frostbite, authorities said.