WA WA - Kristopher Zitzewitz, 31, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, 28 Sept 2013

"We finally made it to Trout Lake today and another huge storm is rolling in," Arnold wrote. "Everyone says we can't make it because of the weather situation, and to be honest it's quite terrifying, but I can't fathom coming this far and giving up."

The Yakima County Sheriff's Office search and rescue team was on standby to provide assistance as needed, Sgt. George Town said Wednesday.

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Portland resident Kristopher Zitzewitz went missing in the lava bed fields Sept. 28, 2013, when unseasonably bad weather brought record amounts of rain to the region and snow in the mountains. The 31-year-old became separated from his hiking partner in the Big Lava Beds near Goose Lake. “It was the most torrential downpour I think I’ve ever seen in my life,” Blevins said. After a few hours in the area, a trash can set next to the command post was filled with rainwater, he said.

Searchers fanned out, using GPS to walk to search points and back because the visibility was so poor. More than 100 searchers used vehicles, motorcycles and K-9 teams in a concerted effort in the Big Lava Beds area approximately 10 miles north of Cook in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. A helicopter flew at treetop level, looking in crevasses and tree wells. “It’s the roughest, nastiest terrain possible,” Blevins said.

He said it’s possible that Zitzewitz fell down one of those fissures. The Portland man is presumed dead. Blevins plans to look for his body again this summer.

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