Missing Climbers Draw Search Teams

Search teams were on the ground Wednesday looking for two University of Oregon students missing in the Three Sisters Wilderness Area while bad weather kept helicopter crews away.

The search began Monday afternoon after Frank Allard, 19, of Carmel, Calif., and Michael R. Casey, 19, of Chico, Calif., were reported overdue late Sunday.

The pair had been planning to climb the North Sister and also the Middle Sister if they had time, said John Miller, spokesman for the Lane County sheriff’s office.

University officials said both had taken wilderness survival classes, but Miller said their mountaineering experience was limited. They had some climbing

equipment, tents and camping gear.

The first winter storm of the season slowed searchers Monday and Tuesday, and grounded a Portland-based 304th Air Rescue Squadron helicopter.