Remember me
Gabriel Vaughn is what the river community would call a stout boater. He’s traveled intense sections of turbulent, dropped waterfalls, rafted whitewater all around the world, and guided countless customers down some of America’s most challenging commercially run rivers. Then, one day he disappeared.
(Photo: Jennifer Vaughn)
After four days lost in Oregon’s rugged wilderness, missing rafter Gabriel Vaughn, 25, was found alive on February 20.
Vaughn was last seen during a rafting trip on February 16 on the Illinois River in Oregon, according to the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO). His parents told Outside that he was found miles downstream from where he was last seen. No other details have been released.
Based in Tennessee, his parents, Jennifer and Henry Vaughn, spoke with Outside from Oregon in between search efforts. “Gabe is a very passionate rafter,” said Henry. “If he thinks there’s any chance that he’s going to be successful at something, the boy is going to do it. If he thinks the success is higher than failure, there’s no chance he’s backing out. He’s all aboard.”
Gabriel Vaughn is what the river community would call a stout boater. He’s traveled intense sections of turbulent, dropped waterfalls, rafted whitewater all around the world, and guided countless customers down some of America’s most challenging commercially run rivers.
That’s why his disappearance was so bewildering to his family and friends.
During the rafting trip, Henry says Gabriel was concerned about the upcoming rapids. River rapids are classified by difficulty, with Class V being the hardest and most hazardous, often characterized by the most technical features. Designated as a wild and scenic river, the Illinois has more than a dozen Class V rapids—and the group was sitting above the Class V section near a rapid called Greenwall.
After a disagreement with his team, Gabriel jumped off his raft and swam to shore, according to his parents. “From there, we don’t know exactly how things progressed,” said Henry.
It’s at this point that Gabriel hiked out of the Chetco drainage area, a rugged, remote, and mountainous forest that partially lies within Oregon’s Kalmiopsis Wilderness.
Gabriel left clues for search and rescue personnel as they scoured the area amidst bad weather. Along the route Gabriel is believed to have taken, authorities found his paddle, then his helmet, and other gear at three separate locations, Henry said.
“He was leaving a trail of breadcrumbs,” said Henry, adding that Gabriel is an experienced outdoorsman and Eagle Scout. “If he is out in the wilderness, he knows his chance of getting rescued increases if he leaves signs of where he’s been and the direction he’s going.”
According to his mother, search and rescue personnel were planning to suspend efforts after today.
Gabriel’s family has also set up a GoFundMe page to help with search-related expenses.
This is a developing story.
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