Body found on Mt. Adams believed to be Stevenson man

Hikers found a body on the mountain Sunday that they believed to be Burroughs, the Yakima Herald reported.

Sgt. Randy Briscoe, Yakima County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue coordinator, told the newspaper the person’s identity hasn’t been confirmed as of Monday, but rescuers believe it was Burroughs.

An “active recovery” effort of a body on Mount Adams was underway Tuesday as of 8:30 a.m., an emergency official told the Hood River News. The endeavor had been launched during the early hours of the morning.

Burroughs camped out on the mountain on July 16, according to a donation webpage set up in his honor.

The man had a mission to scale 12,280-foot Mount Adams. He and Okalani’s chef, Kyle Dawson, hiked the mountain last summer but didn’t reach the summit, according to Justin Williams, owner of Sushi Okalani.

But this year, Burroughs set out alone and summited the mountain.

On July 17, law enforcement officials received a cell phone call from Burroughs, who told them he was disoriented and had been injured after falling down a 1,000-foot slope. Searchers said Burroughs reported a head injury and wasn’t able to tell them where he was.

A search and rescue effort for Burroughs lasted four days before it was called off, due in part to harsh weather — visibility was low, awash with dumped snow, sleet and rain on the mountain. About 65 search-and-rescue volunteers and several helicopters had scoured the area.

Hikers reported finding a body on the mountain on July 31.

As of press time, the sheriff’s office’s recovery effort was still in progress.

A family support fund has been set up for Burroughs’ family at www.gofundme.com/2fy4d7ns.

“(Robert) left behind his wife Lauren, and his children Chelsea, Allie, Peter, and Duncan. Any help is appreciated,” the page says.

Friends remember Burroughs as a dedicated worker and family man.

He had worked at Sushi Okalani for about two years. He was a part-time employee who also owned his own trucking logistics company.

“He was a server extraordinaire,” Williams said.

Williams described Burroughs as dependable, not only as a punctual employee, but one whose smile and warm demeanor made people around him comfortable.

Though his day job was in logistics, Burroughs took on the restaurant role so he could flex his social side, Williams explained.

Sushi Okalani will be active in raising funds for Burroughs’ family. The restaurant at 109 First St. will donate one dollar for every pint of Sapporo sold in August. Williams said the restaurant is working on a “Robert’s roll” to add to the menu in Burroughs’ honor.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.