Fall on Rock, Protection Pulled, No Hard Hat, Washington, Snoqualmie Pass, The Tooth

Publication Year: 1991.

FALL ON ROCK, PROTECTION PULLED, NO HARD HAT

Washington, Snoqualmie Pass, The Tooth

On August 11, Creth Edward Cupp (31) and Joanne Metzler were climbing the last pitch of the Southwest Face of the Tooth, 5.6, when leader Cupp fell 25 meters pulling two pieces of protection before being arrested. Metzler lowered Cupp, who had severe head injuries, three pitches to a large ledge at the top of the first pitch where Cupp could no longer continue. After spending the night on the ledge, Metzler descended to the Denny Creek trailhead notifying King County Police at 0830 on August 12. Seattle Mountain Rescue was paged by KCP at 0850.

The subject was reached by team one at 1300. A MAST Chinook and Huey helicopters were on scene, and with SMR's Base Operations Leader Mike Maude as spotter, located the rescue party. The craft was low on fuel, but was able to hoist the subject along with SMR's Critical Care Nurse, Diane Eldrenkamp. Both helicopters returned to Alpental, transferred the patient and Eldrenkamp to the Huey which transported the patient to Harborview Trauma Center. (Source: ‘Trage, Fall—1990)