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Mt. Hood climber rescued in risky area
Posted: 5:29 PM, September 24, 2006
Last Updated: 5:30 PM, September 24, 2006
KGW.com
By Teresa Bell
MT HOOD - Rescuers ascended on Mt. Hood Sunday to save a stranded climber
stuck on a dangerous section of the snow- and ice-covered mountain, authorities
said.
The 19-year-old climber lost his crampons while working his way up the old chute
portion of Mt. Hood, located just above Crater Rock, at the 10,800 ft.
elevation.
He was yelling for help and got the attention of another person in the area who
called 9-1-1 around 11 a.m.
“It is suggested this climber may have lost a portion of his climbing equipment
and was in jeopardy,” said detective Jim Strovink with the Clackamas County
Sheriff’s Office.
Rescuers reached the scared climber just before 4 p.m. and helped him safely get
out of the chute. They planned to descend down the mountain together, likely
reaching the command post at Timberline around 6 p.m.
“The wind is described as brisk on the Mountain, with the temperatures in the
60's. The footing is described as unstable with rocks falling, slushy, and
difficult to climb upon,” Strovink added.
The climber was reportedly shaken, but not injured.
Members of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue Unit lead the
successful rescue effort.
http://ktvz.com/story.cfm?nav=oregon&storyID=16735
News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office
CLACKAMAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S RESCUE PERSONNEL DESCENDING MOUNTAIN WITH
DISTRESSED SUBJECT
Posted: September 24th, 2006 4:24 PM
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
4:14 p.m. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Command Post reports the subject in
distress is not injured, and will be assisted down the Mountain with rescue
personnel. Descending to the Command Post at Timberline is estimated to require
at least one hour or more.
It is suggested this climber may have lost a portion of his climbing equipment
and was in jeopardy. This young male, has not been formally identified;
although, he is reported to be 19 years of age.
**************************************************
3:50 p.m. Public Information Officer, Jim Strovink, has just been advised by
rescue personnel manning the Mount Hood Command Post, the rescue climbing team
have successfully arrived with the reported person in distress. This person is
being medically assessed at this time. It is expected this person, patient, will
be descending the mountain shortly.
On Sunday, September 24, 2006 at 10:49 a.m., a male subject was reported to be
yelling for help and in distress on the south side of Mount Hood.
Another climber called into the Clackamas County Communications Center to report
he was calling on his cell phone from Crater Rock -- and was able to hear a
subject calling for help above him, located on the "old Shoot" portion of the
Mountain. This portion of the Mountain is estimated to be above Crater Rock, at
the 10,800 ft. elevation of Mount Hood.
Members of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue Unit were
activated, and responded to Timberline Lodge, where a Command Post for this
mission has been established.
American Medical Response Reach & Treat have responded and have deployed at
least two members moving in the direction of this person seeking help.
Members of the Mountain Wave Radio Communications group have been summoned to
the scene. In addition, Portland Mountain Rescue personnel have also responded
and are assisting in this rescue mission.
At this time at least two members of the Reach & Treat team and six members of
Portland Mountain Rescue are on the Mountain climbing to this individual calling
for help.
The wind is described as brisk on the Mountain, with the temperatures in the
60's. The footing is described as unstable with rocks falling, slushy, and
difficult to climb upon.
As of 3:22 p.m. rescue personnel attempting to reach this individual are
reported to be at about the 8000 ft. level; with an estimated 2000 additional
feet of elevation to conquer before reaching this distressed person in need of
help. This is considered to be at least an additional hour of time.
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office commands one of the busiest search and
rescue units in the nation. Mount Hood is the busiest Mountain in the
continental United States for search and rescue missions.
Additional updates will be provided as received from the Clackamas County
Sheriff's Office Command Post, at Timberline.
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
News Release
On Sunday, September 24, 2006 at 10:49 a.m., a male subject was reported to be
yelling for help and in distress on the south side of Mount Hood.
Another climber called into the Clackamas County Communications Center to report
he was calling on his cell phone from Crater Rock -- and was able to hear a
subject calling for help above him, located on the "old Shoot" portion of the
Mountain. This portion of the Mountain is estimated to be above Crater Rock, at
the 10,800 ft. elevation of Mount Hood.
Members of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue Unit were
activated, and responded to Timberline Lodge, where a Command Post for this
mission has been established.
American Medical Response Reach & Treat have responded and have deployed at
least two members moving in the direction of this person seeking help.
Members of the Mountain Wave Radio Communications group have been summoned to
the scene. In addition, Portland Mountain Rescue personnel have also responded
and are assisting in this rescue mission.
At this time at least two members of the Reach & Treat team and six members of
Portland Mountain Rescue are on the Mountain climbing to this individual calling
for help.
The wind is described as brisk on the Mountain, with the temperatures in the
60's. The footing is described as unstable with rocks falling, slushy, and
difficult to climb upon.
As of 3:22 p.m. rescue personnel attempting to reach this individual are
reported to be at about the 8000 ft. level; with an estimated 2000 additional
feet of elevation to conquer before reaching this distressed person in need of
help. This is considered to be at least an additional hour of time.
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office commands one of the busiest search and
rescue units in the nation. Mount Hood is the busiest Mountain in the
continental United States for search and rescue missions.
Additional updates will be provided as received from the Clackamas County
Sheriff's Office Command Post, at Timberline. END
Contact Info: Jim Strovink, Detective, Public Information Officer, 503-237-2643
Note: This is an interesting incident. Apparently, the young climber lost a crampon in a very exposed place. He was basically treed. Crampons fall off if they are not fitted properly. Mt. Hood is "out of condition" in the late summer. Routes become very steep and very technical. Rock fall is a real hazard. The snow may soften by late morning, making movement on steep slopes very hazardous. Note the use of a cell phone in this incident, again by a passer-by not by the lucky climber; Carry a cell phone shut off in your pack for use in an emergency - consider the alternatives. --Webmeister Speik.
WARNING - *DISCLAIMER!*
Mountain climbing has inherent dangers that can in part, be mitigated
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