Bay Area Man Falls 700 Feet Off CA Mountain

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A Bay Area man was seriously injured after falling several hundred feet off a snowy Mount Shasta on Sunday, according to authorities.

The man and another climber, also from the Bay Area, had successfully climbed the mountaintop and were on their way down when he lost his footing below Red Banks, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office.

The man slid roughly 700 feet down the mountain, hurting his shoulder, hand and ankle in the process, deputies said.

The climbers, stranded in Avalanche Gulch, contacted first responders around 8:22 p.m. However, weather conditions prevented rescue crews from getting out to where the climbers were, deputies said.

The following day, around daybreak, rescue crews were able to continue their operations and rescue the climbers, deputies said.

The extent of the man's injuries is not clear. Deputies say he was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office said the incident contained several important lessons, including the following:

• Don't climb (or ski) late in the day. The Mount Shasta Avalanche Center & Home of the Climbing Rangers advises everyone to begin their descent no later than noon, regardless of skill level.
• Ask the local rangers or guides about current climbing conditions before your trip
• If you are planning to climb Mount Shasta or similar high-consequence terrain this season, bring crampons, helmets, and ice axes, and learn how to self-arrest.
• Always be prepared to self-rescue. Even if you are only planning for a day trip, bring the basics, such as an insulated jacket, a bivvy or emergency blanket, a first aid kit, extra food, and water.