FALL ON SNOW, CLIMBING ALONE AND UNROPED

Oregon, Mount Hood

On May 19, Carlos Loria (age unknown) was descending the Coe Glacier after making the summit. He slipped and fell 700 feet, fracturing his neck. He had been reported overdue by his brother. Rescuers found him, noting lacerations on his face, slight hypothermia and the cervical injury. He was helicoptered to Portland.

He had been accompanied by his dog, Buckwheat, but the dog was not in evidence. A month later, the dog appeared at the Cooper Spur Inn. He had apparently survived on snowmelt and berries. As the newspaper reporter said, “Too bad Buckwheat can’t fill us in.” (Source: Hood River County Sheriff's Office and “The Oregonian,” June 25, 1997)