A Florida tourist set off a major rescue response after attempting to climb California’s treacherous Mount Shasta in little more than running shoes and a sweater.
The 39-year-old man spent two nights stranded on an icy section of the mountain with a serious leg injury and few supplies to protect him from the cold.
As many as 30 search-and-rescue personnel joined the dangerous, multiday operation, which unfolded in freezing conditions beginning October 18.
The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office said deputies received the climber’s 911 distress call at about 5 p.m. and immediately launched a search-and-rescue effort. USFS Climbing Rangers and California Highway Patrol air operations were also called in to assist.
“At the time of his distress call Sunday evening, the injured climber was wearing only sweatpants, a sweatshirt, and running shoes, and was not equipped for an overnight stay on the glacier, as nighttime temperatures dipped below freezing,” the SCSO said in a Facebook statement.
Officials said the man had begun descending Avalanche Gulch at around 3 p.m. when he encountered trouble. An incorrect GPS route directed him onto Whitney Glacier.
While crossing the glacier at an elevation of roughly 12,600 feet, he fell through a snow bridge and badly injured his leg. Trapped in the remote terrain, he was forced to wait for rescuers through the night.
USFS Climbing Rangers reached him Monday night and treated him for the leg injury, frostbite and hypothermia.
A Florida tourist sparked a major rescue operation after spending two nights stranded with a serious leg injury on Mount Shasta
The man was descending Mount Shasta’s Avalanche Gulch when an “erroneous GPS route” led him into trouble
Up to 30 search-and-rescue personnel took part in the dangerous mission amid freezing conditions
The climber fell through a snow bridge while crossing the glacier at about 12,600 feet and severely injured his leg
“The USFS Climbing Rangers had to then spend another harrowing night at 12,500 ft with the injured man, as the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office mobilized over 30 additional search and rescue personnel to perform a ground extraction,” the SCSO said.
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According to the US Geological Survey, Mount Shasta rises above 14,000 feet and is the “most voluminous of all the Cascade Range volcanoes” in California.
Rescuers initially tried to evacuate the climber by air, but severe weather prevented aircraft from reaching him.
Law enforcement officials described the operation as “complicated,” citing powerful winds and severely limited visibility.
Five teenage climbers were among 11 Marin County SAR members who, according to SFGATE, carried the injured 39-year-old down the steep mountain to a waiting helicopter Tuesday afternoon.
The rescue team faced winds reaching 60 mph, falling-rock hazards and bitterly cold temperatures during the descent.
Authorities said the man’s condition was “deteriorating rapidly” when a CHP helicopter flew him to a nearby hospital.
The Florida tourist remains under medical care for his injuries.
Rescuers are understood to have endured 60mph winds, rockfall hazards and freezing temperatures.
Authorities said the man’s condition was ‘deteriorating rapidly,’ as a CHP helicopter transported him to a nearby hospital
According to a US Geological Survey, the Mount Shasta mountain range peaks at over 14,000 feet and is ‘most voluminous of all the Cascade Range volcanoes’ in California
According to the LA Times, this two-night mission comes just five days after two Utah residents spent 36-hours in 15-degree temperatures at the Avalanche Gulch before being rescued by a SCSO team.
‘These rescuers demonstrated impressive resolve throughout the entire ordeal, persevering in extreme conditions, and executing the mission with a relentless commitment to the saving of a life,’ the SCSO wrote in their statement.
Our News Outlet has reached out to the SCSO police department and the California Highway Patrol Office of Air Operations for comment.
