A few months ago 3 climbers died in a bad winter storm on Oregon's Mount Hood. Just this past weekend another climbing trio and their dog were lost on the descent of their climb. However, this group was rescued around 11:00 am PT Monday morning 7,400 feet up the mountain.The rescue team said "They were in good condition." One of the climbers did sustain a minor head injury and was sent to the Portland hospital.
A group of about 50 volunteers took part in the search for the climbers that started on Sunday. Authorities received notice from another member in the climbing party. Initially it was a group of 8 climbers who started the climb on Saturday. It was on the descent of Mount Hood that the 3 climbers became lost.
These 3 climbers took a 100 foot fall off a snowy ledge during a blizzard. The other 5 climbers were rescued on Sunday.
Mount Hood typically recieves about 10,000 climbs a year and only 35 climbers have died on the Mount Hood since 1981. Most climbers attempt the climb in the summer and fall which causes only 10% or so of the rescues to be done in the winter.
I am very glad that these climbers were found and are safe. It just goes to show that climbing is dangerous and we need to be very careful of what we do and how we do it.
Stay tuned for an article on climbing safety.
Ryan
