Climber falls into volcano crater of Mount St. Helens

lulululu

http://www.kgw.com/news/Climber- ... rater-84413927.html

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/i ... egins_to_retri.html

http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7981334

SKAMANIA, Wash. -- Rescue helicopters turned away from Mount St. Helens Monday night after a climber fell into the crater when a south rim cornice gave way, but the search would continue at daybreak, authorities said.

jerrybj

lulululu
http://www.kgw.com/news/Climber-falls-into-Mount-St-Helens-crater-84413927.html

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/i ... egins_to_retri.html

http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7981334

[quote]
SKAMANIA, Wash. -- Rescue helicopters turned away from Mount St. Helens Monday night after a climber fell into the crater when a south rim cornice gave way, but the search would continue at daybreak, authorities said.

[/quote]

Latest report by 1210, still struggling. The following is what has happened. The guy had a pose on the edge. Then disappeared from there.


Scott Salkovics said he had just reached the summit with his buddy, 52-year-old Joseph Bohlig, around 12:30 p.m. It was a sunny day but the climb had been especially difficult and took them an unusually long four hours.
They were exhilarated to be at the top of the south rim and, after stripping off his backpack and a layer of clothing to cool down, Bohlig decided to pose for some photos.
That may have cost him his life.
Salkovics said Bohlig handed his camera to another climber and urged him to be sure to get Mount Rainier in the background. Then he turned around and took one last step.
“Boom, it busted off and I saw him clawing for the edge with a startled look on his face. And then he disappeared,” recalled Salkovics, his voice cracking with emotion. That’s the last time he saw his friend.
Another climber at the summit – a total stranger – heaved himself toward the edge and frantically waved his arms over the lip, hoping to grab Bohlig. But he was already gone. A cornice had come loose under Bohlig, breaking off in a huge chunk and sending the experienced climber tumbling down the wall of the crater, which was covered with ice and jagged rocks.
“We had just talked about cornice safety that morning. I’m sure he assumed he was not on a cornice. He had warned others to watch for cornice cracks,” Salkovics recalled.
An Army rescue pilot himself, Salkovics quickly went into survival mode. He threw together a bag of supplies – an avalanche beacon, a jacket, food and water – and tossed it into the gaping hole. Then he called 911.

jerrybj

Sad news: Climber's body recovered from Mount St. Helens crater

http://www.king5.com/news/local/ ... imber-84471252.html


The U.S. Forest Service said the climbing route provides views of the crater, lava dome and eruption area. Most climbers can complete the round trip in seven to 12 hours.

The trail reaches an elevation of 8,365 feet. Climbers are advised to stay well back from the rim due to its instability.

North Country Emergency Medical Services Chief Tom McDowell, who has been with the local emergency agency for 39 years, said the only other time a person fell from the rim was in 2008 when a snow cornice gave way under a snowmobiler, who was rescued by a helicopter and suffered a knee injury.

About 13,000 people climb the mountain each year.

pmicheals

This is a very good example of how unstable a cornice can be once it is heavily loaded with snow and how far back on the windward side of the slope it can break away. It becomes more dangerous when there are no natural anchors such as trees and the slope is covered in scree and loose talus.