3 who got lost near Mt. Hood are rescued

PORTLAND, Ore. - Rescue teams have found three snowshoers who got lost on a weekend camping trip near Mount Hood.

The trio was reported in good health, having made it through two nights under the leadership of a mountaineer.

The three set out Saturday on snowshoes and called 911 on Sunday to report they were lost. Although the cellphone connection was sketchy, they said they had food and sleeping bags, said Detective Matt English of the Hood River County sheriff's office.

There was no contact after that until searchers found them Monday.

The Oregonian identified them as Mark Kelsey, 62, a veteran mountain guide and outdoor survival instructor, Margarita Estrada, 49, and Debra Shindler, 58.

Estrada's son, Andy Ozeroff, 18, told the paper, he started contacting families of the other hikers when they didn't return Sunday afternoon as planned.

The trio was celebrating Estrada's birthday.

When family members reported the party overdue, they learned the hikers had already called for help.

"We definitely would have been more concerned if the women weren't in the hands of my dad," said Alex Kelsey, 18.

Kelsey is a veteran mountaineer, associates said.

"He continues to guide and teach survival techniques," said Rocky Henderson, team leader with Portland Mountain Rescue. "He is of the utmost competence."