Industry News
A mountain climber has died after falling 700-1,000 feet on Mount Hood, OR today according to the Clackamas Country Sherff’s Office.
A call reporting the fallen climber was received by the sherif’s office at 10:30am today. He reportedly fell from Hogsback, an 800′ spine from the crater to the summit, at around 10,500′.
“Climber who fell 700-1000 ft. was declared deceased upon arrival at Emanuel Medical Ctr.” – Clackamas Country Sheriff’s Office today
Rescuers are currently assisting a group of 3 climbers who are coming down and will reach a snowcat soon.
Another group of 4 climbers is being assisted by rescuers with one injured in their party who is unable to come down on his/her own. The Oregon Office of Emergency Management reports that this injured climber was near the summit when he/she fell and was not wearing a rope.
Rescuers reached these 7 other climbers at around 4:40pm, according to the sheriff’s office.
These descending climbers were experiencing extremely hazardous conditions including many falling rocks, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Jensen.
“however, the ascent and descent from that location they describe as severely hazardous with falling rock and falling ice.” – sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Jensen.
These climbers were initially stranded near the 11,240′ summit of Mt. Hood, OR.
UPDATE on the two groups now descending the mountain:
1. Group of 3 coming down w/ rescuers will reach snowcat soon, head to Timberline.
2. Group of 4 (w/ injured party) now has 2nd climber experiencing difficulty moving. Rescuers continue to help them as they race the clock.
- Clackamas Country Sheriff’s Office
A storm is forecast to roll onto Mt. Hood at around midnight tonight.
Around 40 volunteers are assisting in this rescue.
At least 42 people have died on Mt. Hood since 2002.
Thousands of people climb Mt. Hood every year. Mostly in the spring and summer.
Mt. Hood is the tallest mountain in Oregon.
It sounds like the climbing conditions were terrible up on Mt. Hood today with hard ice and falling rocks.
“You had ice axes and crampons and you couldn’t get secure foot in your holds. If you were to slip and fall, you couldn’t dig your axe in and stop yourself.” – Wyatt Peck, 26, a climber who turned back on Mt. Hood today told NBC News
