Climber Falls at Rocky Butte (PHOTO SERIES)

It's estimated that the man fell approximately 35 feet.

Photos courtesy: Allen Oswalt/Portland Fire

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Portland Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a report of a fallen climber on Rocky Butte today at about 4:00 p.m.

Lt. Allen Oswalt with Portland Fire, says firefighters arrived within a few minutes but had trouble getting an exact location from the caller.

"Rocky Butte has many trails and most are unmarked so locating an injured person is always a challenge. After about 30 minutes firefighters located the victim and began treating his injuries."

Oswalt says the climber had moderate injuries and was secured to a backboard and loaded into a stokes basket.

"The man, in his 30's, said he had started his descent for the top of a 50 foot cliff on the NE face of the Butte and had descended about 15 feet when something went wrong and he fell."

It's estimated that the man fell approximately 35 feet.

Oswalt says Portland Fire & Rescue's Technical Rescue team was dispatched to the scene to set up a low-angle rope rescue system to get the patient safely down the steep rocky slope to the trail.

The man was transported to Emanual Hospital. Portland Fire & Rescue performs about 8 to 10 climber rescues each year on Rocky Butte, according to Oswalt.

"Climbers should take every precaution that the dangerous sport demands including, climbing with a partner, using good equipment, and knowing what to do and where you are in the event of an emergency."