Climbers rescued by hellicopter from Mt. Washington, OR

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Climbers rescued by helicopter from Mount Washington

(Photo by: Lyn Topinka/U.S.Geological Survey)

Injured climber rescued from Mt. Washington
Wife also plucked from peak by Guard helicopter
From Bend.com news sources
Posted: Saturday, August 21, 2004 11:55 PM

August 21, 2004 - A Eugene man who fell and injured his ankle Saturday while climbing Mount Washington was rescued along with his wife by an Oregon National Guard helicopter crew and flown to a Salem hospital, officials said.

JM, 42, was at about 7,000 feet elevation, about 800 feet below the summit, when the accident occurred. His wife, LM., contacted the Linn County Sheriff’s Office about 11 a.m., said Sheriff Dave Burright.

Rescue teams from the Jefferson and Linn county sheriff’s offices responded to the scene, along with the Corvallis Mountain Rescue Unit, the sheriff said. Meanwhile, a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from the Oregon National Guard’s 1042nd Medical Company was dispatched from Salem to assist in the rescue, at the request of Linn County officials.

JM was hoisted aboard the helicopter, as was his wife, rather than leave her alone on the peak until ground crews could reach her, National Guard officials said.

The original plan for the helicopter’s five-member crew was to take the pair to a waiting ambulance at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Salem. But an irregular pulse in JM’s foot prompted a change in plans and direct trip to Salem Memorial Hospital for treatment, officials said.

Note:
I have received a copy of the Final Report of the Linn County and Jefferson County Sheriff's Search and Rescue units. I have contacted the injured climber who was belayed and lowered down the rock face by his wife. They essentially self-rescued but required air evacuation due to the injury sustained in a short and fully belayed leader fall. They used a cell phone to alert friends of the accident. Look under Experiences for my Report to the American Alpine Club.

The circumstances differ from those reported for the Seyler-Smith accident three years ago, on the same volcanic West face below the summit of Mount Washington. Webmeister Speik Read more:

SMITH ROCK
Smith Rock - AAC: Leader fall turns climber upside down
Smith Rock - AAC: Warning!! ** Belayer drops climber off the end of the top rope
Smith Rock - AAC: Fall on rock - protection pulled out
Smith Rock - AAC: WARNING - Belayer drops climber off the end of the top rope
Smith Rock - AAC: Inadequate top rope belay
Smith Rock - AAC: Climber injured on the approach
Smith Rock - AAC: WARNING - belayer drops climber off the end of the top rope
Smith Rock - AAC: Belay error - novice sport climber injured
Smith Rock - AAC: Fall on rock, protection pulled out
Smith Rock - AAC: Fall on rock - poor position, inadequate protection
Smith Rock - AAC: Pulled rock off - fall on rock, failure to test holds, exceeding abilities
Smith Rock - AAC: Belay error - fatal fall on rock

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