Five Mountain Climbers Stranded on Mt. Hood

The group of five, depending on their needs and weather conditions, may have to spend the remainder of the night in their self-prepared snow cave.

Mt. Hood, Oregon

(Mt. Hood, Ore.) - Members of The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) Search and Rescue (SAR) Unit have responded to assist 5 mountain climbers on Mount Hood.

A CCSO Search and Rescue coordinator has started rescue procedures in response to these 5 climbers caught in a snow storm, with described whiteout conditions on Mount Hood.

These 5 climbers are not injured; have a cell phone; a global positioning system and an activated mountain locator unit. These electronic instruments are providing an optimum amount of information for all concerned – very beneficial, and certainly commendable.

The CCSO, SAR coordinator has been conversing with this group of 5 climbers; instructing this group of climbers to dig a snow cave and protect themselves from the elements.

These climbers are reported to have ascended the mountain earlier today; in participation for a one day climb on Mount Hood. A snow storm, delivering whiteout conditions, surprised this group of 5 climbers. Consequently, this group experienced difficulty in descending the mountain from their present location at the 9,800' level on Mount Hood. This group then summoned rescue assistance.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office SAR coordinator is on the mountain assessing the present weather conditions, circumstances, and rescue mission options.

Two prominent scenarios exist:

The group of 5, depending on their needs and weather conditions, may have to spend the remainder of the night in their self-prepared snow cave. Then in early daylight have additional ground rescue personnel move to meet the group and assist them down the mountain.

The additional option being assessed is to determine the severity of the present weather conditions; if not to harsh, a rescue team may be dispatched to the group of 5 climbers in need this evening.

The mountain rescue teams assembling are volunteers representing Portland Mountain Rescue pmru.org/ ;American Medical Response – Reach and Treat Team; Mountain Wave Emergency Communications and the Clackamas County Sheriff's.