Rescue Teams Mobilize to Help Fallen Mount Hood Climbers

It is believed the climbers in need of assistance are located just west of the Hog's Back, on a reasonably level portion of Mount Hood.

Hog's Back on Mount Hood Courtesy: terra.gg.utah.edu

(MT. HOOD Ore.) - A male climber on Mount Hood has reported from a cell phone that he and another climber who was climbing separately, had fallen, tumbling a distance estimated to be 300 feet.

The Clackamas County Communications Center received the call at 12:33 PM, according to Detective Jim Strovink with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

"This reporting male climber informed dispatch he was not injured; however, the other climber who had also fallen suffered some facial cuts, knee and elbow injuries, yet was conscious and breathing. Both climbers are reported to be dressed warmly and the weather conditions are comfortable."

Strovink says the non-injured climber, who is presently assisting the injured climber, states he is an Emergency Medical Technician, or EMT.

"He also indicates that he and the injured party were not originally climbing together, but had reached the summit at the same time."

The American Medical Response, Reach and Treat Team was alerted, and deployed to assist the injured climber. It is believed the climbers in need of assistance are located just west of the Hog's Back, on a reasonably level portion of Mount Hood, Strovink said. The elevation in this particular location is described to be at the 10,600' level.

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Search and Rescue coordinators have responded to Timberline Lodge, to command this SAR mission. SAR Commander, Lt Matt Ellington, is at the Timberline Command Post, on Mount Hood.

Lt Ellington states that at approximately 12:45 PM the RAT team was deployed taking the ski-lift to the end of the line at the Palmer Glacier, and continued their trek climbing up the mountain to render aid. The best estimate at this time for the Rat team to reach the injured party is believed to be 2:45 p.m. this afternoon. Additional updates will be published promptly as received from the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Command Post, at Timberline Lodge, on Mount Hood.