A San Jose resident who was climbing Mount Shasta in the Shasta‑Trinity National Forest suffered a serious fall on Thursday night. While attempting to glissade down Avalanche Gulch, the steep, snow‑covered route, he lost control and slid roughly 500 feet, sustaining multiple lacerations and injuries to his feet.
Because his cellphone died shortly after reaching the summit, the climber could not call for help. He removed his boots to ease the painful swelling and, using his own navigation skills, crawled through the night down the remainder of the gulch to the remote Horse Camp Cabin.
When his friends were unable to reach him the following morning, they reported him missing to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office. By early afternoon, a coordinated search effort involving the Mount Shasta Climbing Rangers, the county’s Search and Rescue team, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter was underway.
Two hours into the search, a hiker entered Horse Camp Cabin and discovered the injured climber inside. Rescue crews quickly reached the cabin and provided medical assistance before transporting him to a hospital for further treatment.
Officials praise self‑rescue and preparedness
Forest Service officials highlighted the climber’s decision to notify friends of his itinerary before the ascent. “He wisely let at least one person know his plan and provided progress updates,” officials said. “When contact was lost, his friends promptly alerted law enforcement, which helped focus the search effort.”
Authorities also used the incident to remind outdoor enthusiasts of basic safety practices: allow ample daylight for hikes, set a turnaround time around noon, carry backup electronics, and be prepared to navigate without reliance on GPS or a phone.
“The climber did his best to self‑rescue despite significant injuries, and knew his route well enough without a map to find his way back to the cabin,” officials added. “Never rely solely on a GPS or phone to navigate – if those devices stop working, your own navigation skills will be critical in ensuring a safe return home.”
Mount Shasta safety considerations
Mount Shasta’s official website describes the Avalanche Gulch route as steep and rigorous, requiring proper equipment and snow‑travel experience. The recent incident follows other recent rescues in the area, including a 31‑year‑old novice climber who fell 1,500 feet in June and was airlifted to a hospital, and a September incident where three novice hikers were stranded overnight after relying heavily on artificial intelligence for route information.
Rescue teams in Northern California handle numerous incidents each year, underscoring the importance of preparation and self‑reliance for anyone venturing into the region’s backcountry.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
