Injured climber crawls ‘through the night’ to safety after falling 500 feet down California mountain
Mount Shasta Climber Survives 500-Foot Fall, Crawls to Remote Cabin for Rescue
A climber from San Jose, California, survived a harrowing ordeal on Mount Shasta after falling approximately 500 feet down a steep, ice-covered route and spending the night crawling to a remote cabin despite significant injuries. The incident occurred on Thursday night in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, and the climber was discovered by rescue crews on Friday.
The climber, whose name has not been released, was attempting to glissade down Avalanche Gulch—a rigorous and hazardous path—after reaching the summit when he lost control. According to forest service officials, the fall resulted in several serious lacerations and injuries to his feet. His cellphone died shortly after he summited, leaving him unable to call for help. In a remarkable display of resilience, the climber removed his boots due to painful swelling and crawled through the night down the remainder of Avalanche Gulch to reach Horse Camp Cabin.
By Friday, the climber's friends were unable to contact him and reported him missing to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office. Rescue teams, including the Mount Shasta Climbing Rangers, Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter crew, mobilized by 2 p.m. to search the area. Approximately two hours later, they were alerted that the climber had been found inside Horse Camp Cabin by a hiker who entered the cabin and discovered him.
Officials praised the climber's self-rescue efforts, noting that he knew the route well enough to navigate without a map or electronic devices. "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," forest service officials said in a statement.
They also commended the climber's proactive communication with friends before the incident. "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 added.
The rescue highlights the dangers of mountain climbing, particularly on routes like Avalanche Gulch, which require proper equipment and snow-travel skills. Officials used the opportunity to remind hikers to plan for daylight hours, carry backup electronics, and be prepared for self-rescue situations. This incident is part of a pattern of rescues in the Northern California forest, where emergency responses are common due to the challenging terrain.