Missing Man in Oregon After Mountain Biking

Authorities are searching for Ralph Sawyer, 52, who went missing in Oregon after a mountain biking trip in the Mount Hood area. He was reported missing around 10:30 PM on Friday, a couple of hours after he was expected to return home that morning.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office immediately initiated a search and rescue operation upon realizing he hadn’t come back. Sawyer is experienced in mountain biking and familiar with the local terrain, using specially designed bikes for gravel roads.

As of Monday, he had not yet been located. Officials noted that his car, a blue Kia, was found at the location with his phone inside it just after midnight on Saturday. Sawyer is described as being 6’1″ with brown hair, and when last seen, he wore an orange bike helmet, a blue shirt, and black bike shorts.

The search efforts are mainly focused around East Still Creek Road and Lake Kinsel, as well as U.S. Forest Service roads near Trillium Lake, roughly 40 miles southeast of Portland.

On Saturday, about 40 searchers were engaged in the mission, which expanded to 70 personnel by Sunday. They covered extensive areas using ATVs, motorcycles, and other vehicles. A technical rope team was also brought in for difficult terrains, utilizing drones and helicopters from the Oregon National Guard.

Additionally, on Monday, K9 units and a Combat Search and Rescue Team from the Air Force Reserves joined the search efforts.