Climber rescued after injury nearly 500 feet from Mount Hood summit

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A 43-year-old man climbing on Mount Hood on Tuesday tripped in a steep area and sustained injuries, leading to an almost-eight-hour rescue operation spearheaded by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, according to officials.

The climber was summiting a steep area known as Old Chute on the south side of the mountain, about 500 feet from Mount Hood's summit with his climbing party, when he hurt his leg around 7:15 a.m., according to the sheriff's office.

Authorities say the injured man's climbing partner and others in his party were able to call 911 and help him down the crater to Hot Rocks, a fumarole where sulfurous, volcanic gases are emitted from the mountain which stands about 10,321 feet in elevation.

Volunteers from Portland Mountain Rescue (PMR) and Reach and Treat (RAT) were sent by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Coordinators. Rescuers reached the climbers around 12:30 p.m. where they secured the injured climber in a litter.

From there, the litter was taken across bare rock before being skied down the mountain using a rope belay. After about 600 feet of this, they skied without the belay the rest of the way down to the Timberline Lodge.

It was a quick response and rescue operation for such a high and secluded area of the mountain, according to officials.

"May through early July is a popular time to climb Mt. Hood. Nevertheless, all routes up the mountain are technical, requiring specialized training and equipment," Mark Morford, PMR member, warned. "All routes become progressively more difficult approaching the summit, which can lure climbers into situations beyond their skill … We urge climbers to get proper training from an organization like the Mazamas or climb with a qualified guide."

No other details were immediately available.