Oregon, Mt. Hood, The Chute

Publication Year: 1967.

Oregon, Mt. Hood, The Chute. On 31 July after making a successful ascent of the usual South side route under ideal weather and climbing conditions, Ken Early (34) slipped while cramponning down a steep hard snow slope unroped. He slid and tumbled some 300 feet and then dropped 20 feet over the lip of a schrund. Word of the accident was carried to the Forest Service by other climbers and a rescue evacuation was effected several hours later by a Mountain Rescue unit from Portland, Oregon. Ken Early’s apparent injuries included a dislocated shoulder, cuts and bruises.

Source: Ross Petrie

Analysis: This was probably a simple case of relaxing too soon on the descent before the danger was over.