Injured climber crawls through the night to safety after falling 500 feet down California mountain
A California climber who suffered significant injuries after falling 500 feet down Mount Shasta spent the night crawling to a remote cabin, where he was found by rescue crews the following day, forest officials said Friday.The San Jose man, who was not identified, lost control while sliding down Avalanche Gulch, a steep, snow and ice-covered route, Thursday night after reaching the summit in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest."The climber told rescuers that he had attempted to glissade down the mountain, lost control, and slid approximately 500 feet.During his fall, he sustained several significant lacerations and injuries to his feet," forest service officials said.Authorities added that the climber was unable to call for help because his cellphone died shortly after summiting.MOUNTAIN CLIMBER SURVIVES TERRIFYING 500-FOOT FALL IN CALIFORNIA'S SIERRA NEVADA, NIGHT STRANDED ON LEDGEThe climber lost control while glissading down Avalanche Gulch and crawled through the night after removing his boots.
(U.S.Forest Service / Shasta-Trinity National Forest)Due to the painful swelling that occurred after the fall, the climber reportedly removed his boots and "crawled through the night" down the remainder of Avalanche Gulch to Horse Camp Cabin.By the next day, his friends were unable to contact him and reported him missing to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office.Rescue teams and air support were mobilized across several agencies by 2 p.m.
Friday, and began searching the Avalanche Gulch area, officials said.Two hours later, they were alerted that the climber was inside Horse Camp Cabin after a hiker entered the cabin and found him there.MISSOURI DEPUTY AG, MISSING 6 DAYS AFTER SEEKING TO SUMMIT WYOMING'S TALLEST PEAK, IS FOUND ALIVEOfficials praised the climber for knowing the route, notifying friends of his plans and making his way to Horse Camp Cabin.(U.S.
Forest Service / Shasta-Trinity National Forest)Officials used the incident to remind hikers to allow plenty of da...