News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

Clackamas County Search & Rescue reports one injured and rescued from Mt. Hood

Posted: May 17th, 2008

Photos: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ]

SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2:09 p.m.:

At 11:33 a.m. on May 17, 2008, a climber on Mt. Hood reported witnessing an avalanche in the area of the "Pearly Gates" at the 9,000' elevation.

The avalanche occurred approximately 500 yards from the witness' vantage point on the mountain. He also reported that a three-man climbing party had been caught in the avalanche.

Members of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue team were summoned to the mountain, along with American Medical Response Rescue personnel.

It was soon determined that the avalanche party of three was safe, and only one 18-year old male subject had received minor injuries.

A mountain-rescue member from Washington State was on the mountain today (Saturday, May 19), and reportedly rendered aid to this injured 18-year-old.

All members of this climbing party are now with rescue personnel and are coming by chairlift to Timberline Lodge. The injured party is doing well, and is moving under his own power.

Search & Rescue personnel will identify these individuals and provide this information for media sources in the next hour.

They also wish to remind the public of the extreme dangers that exist on the mountain at this time with the intense sun and potential for avalanche activity.

3:41 p.m. UPDATE:

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue personnel report that all three members of the climbing party caught in an avalanche just before noon today are now safe at Timberline Lodge.

Search & Rescue Coordinator Sgt. Scott Napoli provides this updated information from Mt. Hood:

A 60- to 80-foot wall of snow reportedly broke off from of a rock formation and swept the climbers down the mountain some 350 feet. These three climbers were in the process of descending down the mountain at the time of the avalanche.

Two of the climbers tumbled, but they weren't trapped in the heavy snow. The third party member, an 18-year old, was trapped in waist-deep snow -- with his head sticking out of the snow, fortunately.

This 18-year old suffered minor scrapes, cuts, and bruising to his face, arms and abdomen. He was not transported, and declined medical treatment.

This climber is identified as Ian Metcalf, 18, of Eugene, Oregon. He has climbing experience, and has climbed Mount Hood in the past. Metcalf is from Eugene, Oregon.

The two additional members of the climbing party are identified as:

• Dan Purkey, 67, an experienced climber from Eugene, Oregon.
• Doyle Allies, 51, of Turner, Oregon. Allies has no prior mountaineering experience.

 A subject identified as Powell McLean -- a member of Central Mountain Rescue in Washington -- was climbing with a different group descending the mountain at the time of this incident, and was below the victims when he witnessed the avalanche. He climbed back up and assisted Metcalf.

Metcalf is featured in two photos provided by Sgt. Napoli, linked above, and is wearing the black clothing. He is accompanied by an unidentified American Medical Response member.

[END]

Contact Info: Jim Strovink, Detective