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See rappelers at Multnomah Falls? Meet the search and rescue crews picking up trash

Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue partnered with the Forest Service for the third year to provide clean up to the falls, and valuable training for crews.

PORTLAND, Ore. — In this week's Let's Get Out There, we head to Multnomah Falls, which sees over a million visitors every year. With that many people, there's bound to be some trash left behind — and removed. 

If you wandered near Multnomah Falls earlier this week, the iconic postcard view added an unusual sight.

“Lots of things can happen when you're recreating outdoors, even when you're being as safe as possible,” said Rachael Pencheon-Lind of Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue (PNWSAR).

With permission from the Forest Service, PNWSAR was hanging out at the Benson Bridge above the lower falls. The all-volunteer search and rescue team based in Hood River County was on a different kind of rescue mission.

Credit: Jon Goodwin, KGW

“Not very many people get to rappel off the Multnomah Falls bridge,” said Penchoen-Lind. “So it's exciting and interesting and great that we get to kind of help clean up while we're doing it.”

Several members of the PNWSAR rope support team were lowered off the bridge to pick up trash found in and around the water. A trail team hiked to the top of the falls and removed more trash along the path.

Check out some behind the scenes of our Multnomah Falls Clean up tonight on KGW tonight! Thanks to Jon Goodwin KGW for always being fun to work with, and for highlighting some of the work we do.

Posted by Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, Inc. on Thursday, November 16, 2023
Credit: Jon Goodwin, KGW

“Baby shoes, some hats… we also found a couple of drones this year,” Penchoen-Lind said. “And then lots of just random trash, water bottles and diapers was kind of a common one.”

This is an annual clean-up, giving PNWSAR the added benefit of rescue practice with high single techniques. Diane Noxon considers herself an average citizen, but she’s the one who brought this effort to life.

Credit: Jon Goodwin, KGW

“I just am outdoors a lot hiking a lot,” said Noxon. “And I just had noticed the last five or so years that just a little bit more trash on the trail that I was used to seeing, so I just started carrying a trash bag along the way picking up trash as I go.”

Credit: Jon Goodwin, KGW

Noxon knows not all trash is intentional, but she hopes others will think twice about what they carry and the importance of “leave no trace” principles. 

“My motto is just a pack out a little bit more if you can,” she said. “And all of us together, this is how we keep this place beautiful, if all of us picking up the trash as we go and a little extra here and there.”

PNWSAR is currently recruiting. The current application window is open until January 15, 2024. You can join here.

Let's Get Out there airs once a week on KGW's 4 p.m. newscast and The Good Stuff, which airs Monday-Thursday at 7 p.m. We're including viewer photos for this series. You can text your photos to 503-226-5088 or post them on the KGW Facebook page.

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