Climber Rescued After 500-Foot Fall

A man from San Jose, California experienced a terrifying ordeal after falling roughly 500 feet while descending Mount Shasta. According to forest officials, he spent the night crawling to a cabin where he was ultimately found by rescue teams the next day.

The climber, whose identity has not been disclosed, lost his grip while attempting to slide down Avalanche Gulch, a steep and icy path, after reaching the summit on Thursday night in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. “He told rescuers that he tried to glissade but lost control and slid down about 500 feet, sustaining several significant cuts and injuries to his feet,” officials reported.

Unfortunately, the climber’s cellphone died shortly after he summited, leaving him without a way to call for help.

He took off his boots due to painful swelling from his injuries and crawled throughout the night to reach Horse Camp Cabin. By the following morning, when friends couldn’t get in touch with him, they reported him missing to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office.

Rescue operations began by 2 p.m. Friday, involving multiple agencies searching the Avalanche Gulch area. They were notified just two hours later that the climber had made it to Horse Camp Cabin; a hiker discovered him there.

Officials commended the climber for his knowledge of the route, his decision to notify friends about his plans, and his ability to navigate back to the cabin despite his injuries. They reminded hikers to leave ample time for their hikes and establish a turnaround time around noon. It’s crucial to carry backup devices and be prepared for self-rescue. “The climber demonstrated great resilience by attempting to self-rescue and knowing his way back without a map,” officials noted.

They also highlighted the importance of informing someone about your itinerary. “His friends reported him overdue and even joined the search effort after he failed to check in,” they added.

This incident draws attention to the dangers present in the Northern California forests, where numerous rescue operations occur each year. The Avalanche Gulch route to the summit is known to be steep and challenging, requiring adequate gear and snow navigation skills. In the past year, there have been other instances, including a situation involving novice hikers who became stranded after relying on AI for routing information and another climber who had to be hospitalized after a serious fall.