Portland Mountain Rescue Mountaineers Successfully Rescue One of Their Own

An Oregon Guard helicopter safely evacuated the injured climber and transported him to OHSU.

Once through the Pearly Gates the summit is less than 5 minutes away. Courtesy: geocities.com

(MOUNT HOOD) - Police say an experienced mountaineer encountered falling ice while ascending Mount Hood Saturday morning around 10:21 AM, near what is referred to as the Pearly Gates portion of Mount Hood, with an elevation of approximately 10,000'.

45-year old Michael R. Leming of Portland, Oregon, a mountaineer, was struck with a ‘shower of falling ice', which caused this climber to fall a reported 200', says Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Spokesman Detective Jim Strovink.

"As a result of this violent fall, the climber suffered at least one broken ankle and was totally incapacitated. The injured climber was ascending the mountain with two other experienced climbers at the time of this incident. All members of this climbing party are well equipped and experienced climbers," Strovink said.

It is reported the injured climber is an active member of the elite Portland Mountain Rescue (PMR)group; which is renowned for their climbing expertise and volunteer efforts conducted on Mount Hood. It was a climbing companion who first reported this event, via cell phone, to the Clackamas County Communications Center, according to Strovink.

"With extra good fortune, additional Portland Mountain Rescue members were also on the mountain today participating in a training exercise. These training PMR members were summoned to this rescue event site and contributed significantly to this rescue involving one of their own.

Strovink says Leming was also bundled and medically assisted by responding American Medical Rescue, Reach and Treat Team (RAT) members summoned to the scene.

Between 7 and 9 rescue personnel responded to the scene. Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Search and Rescue Coordinators, received word from the rescue personnel on scene that the patient was in need of a medical airlift from his location on Mount Hood.

An Oregon National Guard, Blackhawk helicopter was dispatched to aid with the urgent medical airlift of the patient from the 10,000' level of Mount Hood. Oregon Guard Spokeswoman Kay Fristad contacted Salem-News at 3:35 PM to advise that the aircraft had safely evacuated the injured climber from the mountain and was enroute to Oregon Health Sciences University.

"The U.S. (Oregon) Army National Guard 1042 performed superbly in their mission by airlifting this gravely injured climber from a challenging position at the 10,000' level of Mount Hood, Strovink said.

Perhaps one rescuer in attendance summarized it the finest by stating, "Thank God for the 1042 – they do it all... and definitely are the very best of the best!"

Leming is described by hospital officials to be in fair, but stable condition and is being medically treated for the significant injuries sustained to his ankles and shoulder.