Historic Hood River
“Volunteers Headed Out on the Search”
6-5-2026
Notes
In January of 1927 the newly incorporated Crag Rats were called out to search for missing skier Calvin White Jr. near Government Camp. Someone, possibly Fred Donnerberg, had the presence of mind to capture this image of them headed out to begin the search. The rest, as they say, is history: Bill Cochran found White, cementing the Crag Rats role in mountain search and rescue. White’s father, Calvin Sr. was so grateful he invited the entire club to an anniversary dinner in 1928, starting an annual tradition.
Note the Crag Rats are wearing the same parkas we see in their “charter member” photograph, which Beth Hukari suggested were WW I style.
another hukari
I remember photos from WT Hukari’s WW1 service days, with those heavy fur trimmed parkas, tall lace up boots and the peaked wide brimmed hats, as well as photos of him and other CR wearing those same items on climbs. They were a thrift bunch and I am sure they used what they had when they came back.