On July 02, a 43-year-old man from Happy Valley was climbing Mt. Hood, he lost his ice axe grip and fell approximately 600-700 feet from the summit ridge to the rocks above the Hot Rocks fumarole. according to Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office press release.

The fall occurred sometime around 6:30 a.m., local time, but rescue crews weren’t able to find and reach the injured climber until about four hours later. A medic helicopter from the Oregon Army National Guard didn’t arrive to airlift the man to a hospital until 1 p.m., illustrating the extraordinary effort and time required to perform a mountain rescue.

The injured climber was flown to a Portland-area hospital where he is receiving medical care.

According to a press release On June 24, a 31-year-old woman from Portland was climbing Mt. Hood, when she fell several hundred from the summit ridge down the Old Chute, resulting in critical injuries and a helicopter evacuation.

Climbing on Mt. Hood is dangerous during all times of the year due to the steep and icy conditions of the mountain.

Mt Hood (3,425m) is the highest peak in Oregon, US. It is a dormant volcano that last erupted about 1865, with minor steam and ash (tephra) emissions in 1903. Mount Hood’s snow-covered peak has varied over its history. 

mt hood
Image Source:Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office