Kelso Hiker Has Likely Died, According to Search and Rescue Chief

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The 18-year-old Kelso man who vanished in the Lava Canyon area near Mount St. Helens on Oct. 15 likely has not survived, according to the volunteer Volcano Rescue Team.

Garrett Canada, 18, likely ended up in the water, North Country Fire/EMS Chief Shaun Ford said, based on clothing searchers found in the water that family identified as his. He was reported missing by his hiking partner Avery Jackson, who had become separated from Canada and called the Skamania County Sheriff's Office Monday evening after Canada did not show up at his car.

The trail the hikers were on is only about two miles long, Ford said, and searchers checked it and the water nearby for three days. The river in that area flows swiftly through a narrow, rocky gorge and cascades over a significant waterfall.

It is unclear what happened to Canada. But "if he's in the water, he didn't survive to begin with," Ford said.



"This is a very dangerous trail," he said. "People are unfortunately killed up there accidentally every year."

A sign in the area warns of the dangers and urges hikers to stay on the trail.

The Skamania County Sheriff's Office called off their search Thursday after calling in air support and a drone from the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office. Family members still are searching for Canada, Ford said.