After two days, search suspended in Chelan County for missing Portland climber

WENATCHEE, Wash. — The Chelan County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday night that it had suspended its search for a missing Portland music teacher who planned to climb Colchuck Peak in Chelan County last weekend.

 

Officials say Adam Ochshorn, 33, started hiking to Colchuck Lake on Friday. He planned to camp overnight and then climb a steep, narrow gully to reach Colchuck Peak on Saturday. He was expected out late Saturday or early Sunday, but he didn't return. His vehicle was found near the campground.

He is described as an experienced and technical climber who had hiked in the Colchuck area this summer.

Searchers hiked in on Sunday and Mountain Rescue members joined in on Monday, along with a helicopter. They found his tent but not the climber.

On Tuesday night, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office said, "The search for hiker Adam Ochshorn who was reported overdue on Sunday 11/29 has been suspended. The current and predicted weather, and the safety of Search and Rescue personnel were considerations in making this decision.

"Search and rescue personnel conducted ground and aerial searches Monday and Tuesday, but were unable to local Mr. Ochshorn. As previously reported, Mr. Ochshorn's campsite was located Monday along the west bank of Colchuck Lake unoccupied."

According to KPTV in Portland, Ochshorn teaches piano and drum lessons though CHORDination, a music school in the Portland metro area.