MOUNT HOOD, Ore. — A large multi-agency rescue operation was launched Sunday morning after an injured climber became trapped beneath a large boulder in steep alpine terrain near Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood.
According to Hoodland Fire District, crews were dispatched at approximately 10:18 a.m. on May 24 to a reported medical emergency involving a male climber east of Silcox Hut. Responders located the victim pinned beneath a boulder in a difficult-to-access area of the mountain.
Due to the complexity of the rescue and the challenging conditions, officials initiated a coordinated technical rescue response involving numerous regional emergency agencies and air medical resources.
Hoodland Fire District responded with units C351, E351, R351 and ATV351. Additional resources included personnel from Clackamas Fire District #1, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officers, American Medical Response’s Reach and Treat Team, and Life Flight Network helicopters LF1 and LF7, including a specialized surgical team.
Timberline Lodge employees and snow cat operators also assisted rescuers during the operation.
Crews were able to successfully extricate the climber from beneath the boulder at approximately 12:25 p.m. Rescue efforts continued afterward as responders worked to transport the patient down the mountain to a waiting Life Flight helicopter for transport to a regional trauma center.
Officials said rescuers worked collaboratively in difficult alpine terrain to reach, stabilize and remove the patient while advanced medical care was provided on scene by fire, EMS and air medical personnel.
Hoodland Fire District said the incident demonstrates the importance of interagency coordination and the specialized rescue capabilities required for emergencies in the Mount Hood recreation area.
The district also thanked all assisting agencies and Timberline Lodge staff for their professionalism, teamwork and commitment to public safety during the complex rescue effort.
About the Author
Discover more from Right Now Oregon
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
