Rockfall Kills Climber on Mt. Rainier’s Liberty Ridge
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A rockfall on Mt. Rainier killed a climber and injured two others on Wednesday evening. The accident occurred at 10,400 feet on Liberty Ridge, on the mountain’s north side. According to a National Park Service press release, a group of six climbers had set up a camp and were preparing to spend the night when the rockfall swept through their site.
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National Park Rangers responded to the 911 call but were forced to wait until the morning to start a helicopter rescue. The five surviving climbers were flown off the mountain, and the injured individuals were transported to area hospitals.
According to the Seattle Times, the climbers were from New Jersey, Colorado, Alaska, and Poland and were all experienced climbers attempting a technical and dangerous route. The campsite where the rockfall occurred was near Thumb Rock, and is generally considered a safe spot to camp, but like any high-mountain situation, there are always risks.
