ASSEMBLY HEAD, Ore.(KPTV/Gray News) – A family in Oregon is mourning the loss of a father found dead in the Mount Hood National Forest.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office says they found the body of 33-year-old James Macdonald on Friday after an extensive search near Paradise Park Road.

At around 7.30pm on Wednesday, Macdonald’s family reported that he had not yet returned from what was supposed to be a day-long hike.

He was last heard from when he called his wife around 2pm on Wednesday.

“I know when he got there he FaceTimed her and said, ‘I’m here, it’s beautiful,'” said Ben Seeley, Macdonald’s brother-in-law. “I was even talking to my sister and she said, ‘I’m surprised there’s so much snow on Mount Hood in November.’”

Macdonald was known to be an experienced hiker, but he did not carry equipment suitable for night conditions.

Clackamas County Search and Rescue coordinators mobilized volunteer crews to search for him Wednesday. They found what appeared to be tracks in the snow, which led to an extensive field investigation.

Many agencies and resources participated in the search effort, including air support. The search continued until Macdonald’s body was found around 10:30 a.m. Friday.

“I think he was unprepared to spend the night in any cold conditions, and my understanding is that due to exposure, he was not prepared for some cold nights, so he got lost and passed away,” Seeley said.

Macdonald is nearing the end of his radiology residency at Oregon Health and Science University, Seeley said. He was a devoted husband and family man and leaves behind four children, including 1-year-old twins.

“He would take his two older sons for walks, they loved being outside,” Seeley said. “He’s really committed to his family, his kids, and being there for them.”

A GoFundMe It was established to support Macdonald’s family.

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