FALL INTO CREVASSE, WEATHER

Washington, Mount Baker, Coleman Glacier

Rescuers reached two seriously injured climbers on Mount Baker and were bringing them down the mountain in difficult weather conditions Monday morning.

The drama began on Sunday, September 2, about 11:30 a.m. when one climber was killed and three others were injured after falling into a crevasse. The fall happened at the 8,600-foot-level of Coleman Glacier on the western flank of the 10,775-foot peak.

Whatcom County Search and Rescue crews and personnel aboard a helicopter from the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station located the group Sunday, but the chopper was unable to land because of the high altitude. A 42-year-old man with minor injuries was able to get off the mountain, and ground crews reached the two more seriously injured people on Monday, sheriff’s deputies said. Foggy weather made another helicopter attempt impossible.

Identities and hometowns of the injured and dead were being withheld. The two injured climbers are a man with back and leg injuries who was camped out at the base of the glacier at the 6,500-foot level and a woman with back and neck injuries who was at the 7,000-foot level. (Source: Dispatch from KOMO- TV, on September 3rd from Seattle)

(Editor’s Note: No other details were forthcoming on this accident. The report is included because of the fatality.)