4K | SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2022 | THE REGISTER-GUARD Snowboarder rescued from volcanic vent on Mount Hood Zach Urness: ‘Salem Statesman Journal Usa TODAY NETWORK ‘A snowboarder who slid out of control into a volcanic vent near the summit of Mount Hood was rescued in a daring mission around midnight on Tuesday, according to the Hood River County Sheriff's Office. ‘George Stevens, 26, of Idaho, was successfully extracted from the Devils Kitchen fumarole with ropes by the Hood River Crag Rats and Portland Mountain Rescue after falling onto rocks deep in the fissure and sustaining serious injuries. He was transported down the mountain and Joaded into an ambu- lance, aceording to reseu- xs, although his current condition is unknown, twas the third rescue {in five days on Mount Hood, as clear and sunny conditions brought large numbers of climbers onto ‘the mountain. Asnowboarding descent from near Hood summit goes wrong The following report of ‘the rescue was issued by Clackamas County Sher- iff's Office: Stevens and two friends started for the snow-covered — summit late in the day on January ee ‘When they reached the steep Hogsback snow ridge on their descent, the surface was slick with fro- zen ice. Stevens attempt- ed to snowboard down Crews work to save at least two injured people from two stranded climbing Parties on Mount Hood. «sw from this ridge, but lost his edge and slid out of control into the open fu- marole a few hundred feet below. Avolcanicfumaroleisa fissure in the rock that vents hot, toxic gassesand melts large cavities deep undemeath the snow that can open up into steep holes. Two of these fuma- roles are located in the di- rect fll lines for the most popular climbing routes ‘on Mount Hood. Stevens fell to the rocky, exposed bottom of ‘the fumarole cavity where he was seriously injured andunabletoextracthim- self. His climbing partners called Si for a rescue. ‘The Hood River County Sheriff's office led the res- cue response and de- ployed more than 20 vol- “unter rescuers from the Hood River Crag Rats and Portland Mountain Res- ceue, Two teams of rescu- ers were sent high on the ‘mountain to extract and lower the injured climber ‘to safety. ‘Arescuer wearing are- and hoisted him to the surface where he was loaded in a litter. Using ropes, the rescuers then lowered him down steep icy slopes to the top of the Palmer ski lift, where he was transferred to a snowcat that transported him to Timberline Lodge parking lot and a waiting ambulance. Note on safety ‘his was the third res- cue on Mt. Hood in only five days, officials said. Rescue teams issued the following message: “Clear skies during the ‘past week have encour- aged many people to ex- plore winter conditions high on the mountain. Bven on a clear day, how- ‘ever, Mount Hood's win- ter is a severe and unfor- environment. ming in these conc tions requires technical snipe eel sie | mountaineering skills ‘With short daylight, extreme low temper: atures and wind, the mountain remains icy and slick, and gives no margin for error ‘Over the past week, | rescuers have observed | climbers on Mt. Hood | without appropriate equipment, lacking navi- | gation and mountaineer- | ing skills, and generally | ‘unprepared forthese con- | ditions. Interested climb- ers are encouraged to hire a guide or seek training fom an established Zach Urness has been ‘an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 5 yearsandis | host of the Explore Ore- gon Podcast. He can be reached at zur ness@StatesmanJour- al.com or (503) 399- 6801. Find himon Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.