A 27-year-old Portland hiker was found safe on August 21st after spending 10 days in the wilderness of Chelan and Kittitas counties, according to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.
Chad T. Pietrok was reported overdue August 18th after failing to return from a planned four-day, 65-mile hike. He was last heard from August 11th when he entered the Ingalls Creek trailhead near Highway 97 after completing a hike through the Enchantments.
Search and rescue crews spent the next two and a half days covering his planned route and several potential off-course areas. Helicopters, drones and K9 teams were also used in the search.
On August 21st, 11 ground teams were deployed across Chelan and Kittitas counties. Around 11:30am, 911 dispatchers received a text from another hiker who said he was with the missing man on the Jack Creek Trail. The hiker recognized him as the person reported missing and offered him a ride back to his vehicle. Deputies later made contact with the pair.
The Pietrok told authorities that his hike took longer than expected and that he encountered trail conditions that were difficult to traverse. He was found healthy and uninjured. Officials did not say whether wildfires in the area affected his hike.
