Details of this reporting gathered from: KEZI. If applicable, secondary + sources are entered at the bottom of this record.
The search for a 33-year-old Salem resident, Steven Van Pelt, who deputies say fell among extreme mountainous terrain while descending Mount Jefferson Friday morning, July 23, 2021, continues.
Missing NPF is attempting to acquire several elements of information concerning this case. We will update this case file once more information is received and vetted.
Bulletin
IMPORTANT
The case of Steven Van Pelt is being listed due to portions of Mount Jefferson being within the boundaries of Deschutes National Forest, Willamette National Forest, and Mt. Hood National Forest.
LINN COUNTY, Ore. -- The search for a 33-year-old Salem resident, Steven Van Pelt, who deputies say fell among extreme mountainous terrain while descending Mount Jefferson Friday morning, July 23, 2021, continues.
A witness described losing sight of Van Pelt after he fell several hundred feet, officials said.
This happened around 11:45a Friday.
Marion County Sheriff's Office received the initial information and started sending resources to the area and planning for a rescue. Linn County Deputies responded as well and have led the search efforts with the Linn County Search and Rescue Team.
Officials said this area is extremely dangerous and requires technical mountaineers to traverse the mountainside. Van Pelt has not yet been located due to the terrain consisting of snow, cliffs, large boulders, crevices and rock scree.
Deputies have called for help from multiple teams throughout Oregon as teams exhaust themselves in the search effort. Corvallis Mountain Rescue, Eugene Mountain Rescue, Deschutes Mountain Rescue and Portland Mountain Rescue have all responded to the area for the search effort, police said.
Multiple flights have been conducted by LifeFlight and the United States Army National Guard through the days following the initial report.
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Personal Characteristics
Male
33 years old
Investigative Overview
Foul Play Suspected: No
Suspected Suicide: No
Cause of Death: Unknown / Unreported / Missing
Significant Dates
Reported missing on July 23, 2021 - 871 days, 4 hours, 45 minutes ago
This case file was posted on
Jul 26, 2021 at 20:48
This case file was last modified on
Feb 12, 2022 at 21:51
This case file has been assigned the Missing Persons ID 5471
Disclaimer
Missing NPF Public Notice
Missing NPF lists “Foul Play Suspected,” “Suspected Suicide,” “Cause of Death,” and other elements of data in association with public reporting. These settings do not reflect the opinions of Missing NPF and/or its staff. Unless explicitly noted, Missing NPF does not publicize opinion, nor are any of the initial reports written – or edited – by members of Missing NPF. All content (with the exception of “IMPORTANT” notices, listed toward the top of applicable case files) are the works of external persons, sources and/or entities. All pictures displayed on this case file have been downloaded from the public domain, unless a user has commented or otherwise transmitted a picture to Missing NPF or its social media accounts. Case updates are derived from external persons, sources, and/or entities, and do not reflect the internal work of Missing NPF, unless expressly noted.
Pao Yangdamn
March 30, 2022 at 6:11 am
Damn this fall not found are cause by Super Natural Force otherwise Stephen van pelt should have been found from the started… You Fall You Die Depending on the high,but to be Search & Not Found That Scary??!! R.I.P!!
Pao Yangdamn
March 30, 2022 at 6:11 amDamn this fall not found are cause by Super Natural Force otherwise Stephen van pelt should have been found from the started… You Fall You Die Depending on the high,but to be Search & Not Found That Scary??!! R.I.P!!
Judaea Rojo
July 30, 2021 at 7:38 pmThe search for Steven Van Pelt has been suspended. More here: https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2021/07/24/oregon-fallen-climber-mount-jefferson-rescue-effort/8083323002/