Video: Issaquah man says Mt. Adams rescue was 'homerun'

Larger screen

ISSAQUAH, Wash. – An Issaquah man who located a climber who was missing on Mount Adams for five and a half days says the rescue was a "homerun."

A little more than 24 hours ago, Issaquah resident Greg Varney, search dog Trulee and a navigator were 6,000 feet up on the mountain, scouring the back-country for hiker Derek Mamoyac, of Philomath, Ore.

Bad weather forced 27-year-old Mamoyac to turn back from his summit attempt on Sunday. He fell and broke his ankle. But he continued to drag himself off the mountain.

Enduring brutal night time temperatures, Mamoyac survived on centipedes and stream water.

Varney rescued him on Friday.

"He was a very determined young man, he really was, he knew he just wanted to keep moving, going down that trail," Varney said.

The rescue started when Varney founds what most might consider garbage, including a granola bar wrapper, tooth brush and knife casing. Then drag marks.

He was soon close enough to hear Mamoyac's shouts.

"You just go 'yo Derek' and he answers," Varney said.

Mamoyac's family prepared for the worst, until Varney's partner made a call down the mountain. 

KING

Greg Varney

"He said my son was alive, and he's OK," Steve Mamoyac said. "It's amazing I didn't drive off the road." 

Mamoyac was taken by helicopter to Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center in Portland, Ore., where he was listed in fair condition. In addition to his ankle injury, he was dehydrated and had swollen legs.

Varney has helped on more than 300 rescue missions.