NEWS RELEASE: Climber airlifted off Mt. Hood after 700-foot fall
On Saturday, July 6, the Clackamas County and Hood River County Sheriff’s Workplaces led a mission to evacuate a critically injured climber from Mt. Hood.
Round 7:45 a.m. on July 6, 2024, a climber slipped on the Outdated Chute route on Mt. Hood. It is a very steep climbing route, excessive on the mountain’s south aspect, situated at round 11,200′ elevation. The snow floor was frozen, and the climber was unable to arrest his fall — tumbling about 700 ft right down to the Sizzling Rocks space and sustaining a number of accidents.
Luckily, assist was close by: A few off-duty army medics witnessed his fall and descended to assist. Two Mt. Hood Nationwide Forest- US Forest Service climbing rangers additionally have been within the space, and supplied first assist to the injured climber.
Search & Rescue Coordinators from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Workplace and Hood River County Sheriff’s Workplace activated a joint mission. They referred to as on personnel from Portland Mountain Rescue (PMR) and the Hood River Crag Rats to mount an evacuation. The Oregon Division of Emergency Administration and U.S. Forest Service additionally joined the mission. Given the affected person’s crucial situation, SAR Coordinators requested helicopter transport from the Oregon Military Nationwide Guard’s 189th Aviation Regiment, which focuses on medical evacuations.
PMR and Crag Rats rescuers reached the affected person shortly after 1 p.m. They stabilized the affected person and ready him for transport.
Wonderful flight circumstances allowed the Nationwide Guard helicopter to do a dramatic “sizzling touchdown” on a portion of the Hogsback. As seen on this video (courtesy PMR), rescuers transported the affected person the quick distance to the plane, which then flew him to a Portland hospital for emergency therapy.
The affected person was off the mountain shortly—about six hours after his fall — largely as a result of mountain circumstances have been splendid for rescue.
The injured climber is recognized as Arizona resident Chris Zwierzynski, age 55.
In keeping with Mark Morford of Portland Mountain Rescue, “Might by way of early July is a well-liked time to climb Mt. Hood, and good climbing circumstances have lasted longer this yr than most. However, all routes up the mountain are technical, requiring specialised coaching and tools. All routes change into progressively tougher approaching the summit, which may lure inexperienced climbers into conditions past their ability. Portland Mountain Rescue urges climbers to get correct coaching from a company just like the Mazamas, or to climb with a professional information.”
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Sergeant Ross Clemson, Public Info Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff’s Workplace
Communications Unit
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Information launch on our web site with further pictures:
https://www.clackamas.us/sheriff/2024-07-06-CCSONR-SARMission.html
Posted by Clackamas County Sheriff’s Workplace on Tuesday 9 July 2024
