A San Jose man survived a 500-foot fall down Mount Shasta by crawling through the night to a remote mountain cabin, where rescuers found him the next day, forest officials said Friday.
The unidentified climber lost his footing while glissading down Avalanche Gulch, a steep, snow- and ice-covered route in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Thursday night after reaching the summit.
Officials with the forest service said the climber told rescuers he “had attempted to glissade down the mountain, lost control, and slid approximately 500 feet.” He sustained several significant lacerations and injuries to his feet in the fall.
His cellphone died shortly after he reached the summit, leaving him unable to call for help.
Because of painful swelling in his feet after the fall, the climber removed his boots and crawled through the night down the rest of Avalanche Gulch to Horse Camp Cabin.
When his friends could not reach him the next day, they reported him missing to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office. Multiple agencies mobilized rescue teams and air support by 2 p.m. Friday and began searching Avalanche Gulch. Two hours later, a hiker who had entered Horse Camp Cabin discovered the climber inside, and rescuers were alerted to his location.
The rescue effort involved the Mount Shasta Climbing Rangers, Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter crew.
Officials Point to Preparation That Saved His Life
Forest service officials credited the climber’s own actions and preparation for helping him survive the ordeal.
“The climber did his best to self-rescue despite significant injuries, and knew his route well enough without a map, to find his way back to the Horse Camp Cabin. Never rely solely on a GPS or phone to navigate – if those devices stop working, your own navigation skills will be critical in ensuring a safe return home,” officials said.
Officials also pointed to the value of telling others about hiking plans in advance.
“The climber wisely notified his friends of his plan to climb Mount Shasta and made a point to check in and provide progress updates. When he lost contact, his friends contacted law enforcement to report him overdue and traveled to help with the search effort. It is always advisable to notify at least one person of your itinerary,” officials said.
Authorities used the incident to urge hikers to allow plenty of daylight for climbs, set a turnaround time around noon, carry backup electronics, and be ready to self-rescue if needed.
According to Mount Shasta’s official website, the Avalanche Gulch route to the summit is steep and demanding, requiring proper equipment and snow-travel skills.
The rescue is the latest in a forest where crews respond to numerous incidents each year. Last September, three inexperienced hikers were stranded overnight in a steep canyon after relying heavily on AI for route information. In late June, a 31-year-old novice climber was flown to a hospital after slipping and falling 1,500 feet.
Add comment