Two thrill-seeking climbers got caught in a massive avalanche on Mount Shasta in California over the weekend, leading to an 11-hour rescue operation to get them to safety. The climbers were attempting to summit the mountain when they were hit by the snow, causing one of them to fall 1,000 feet down Avalanche Gulch. One of the climbers called 911 to report the injuries, with one of them stranded at 12,200 feet and the other buried further down the slope.
Due to strong winds and poor visibility, a helicopter was unable to land near the climbers, so the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, along with US Forest Service Climbing Rangers and professional mountain guide volunteers, began an extraction operation on foot. Eventually, a break in the weather allowed the helicopter to land just above the tree line, approximately 6,000 feet below the injured climbers. Rescuers climbed into the night to carry both men down the mountain and onto the chopper around midnight.
Both men, described as expert mountaineers who planned to snowboard down from the summit, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to a local hospital for recovery. One climber suffered a knee injury, while the other had a broken femur and a deep crampon puncture wound from being hurled down the mountain by the avalanche. The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that this rescue serves as a reminder of the dangers and unpredictable conditions on the 13,000-foot peak, despite the climbers’ experience and skill level.
The office highlighted that even though the two climbers were highly skilled with extensive experience on Mount Shasta, their ordeal and subsequent rescue operation demonstrated that no level of experience can fully prepare for the hazards on the mountain. The ever-changing conditions can turn what was supposed to be a quicker operation into a lengthy and resource-intensive rescue process. The police did not release the names of the injured climbers, but their story underscores the importance of being cautious and prepared when venturing into the mountains, no matter how experienced a climber may be.
Overall, the incident on Mount Shasta involved two climbers who found themselves in a dangerous situation after being hit by an avalanche. The subsequent 11-hour rescue operation involved a combination of helicopter support, foot travel, and collaboration between multiple search and rescue teams. The climbers sustained injuries but are expected to recover. This serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with mountain climbing, even for experienced individuals, and the importance of being prepared and aware of the changing conditions in such environments. The successful rescue effort is a testament to the dedication and skill of the search and rescue teams involved in ensuring the safety of those who venture into challenging terrain.
