Fallen N. Sister climber rescued in tricky nighttime operation

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue mountain rescue teams and two helicopters worked in wind and darkness Friday night to successfully reach and rescue a 45-year-old Salem climber injured in a fall on the North Sister.

Deschutes County 911 received a cellphone call around 4:20 p.m. from Gordon Kenyon, who said he had been climbing the 10,085-foot peak and fell, said Sgt. Ronny Dozier, SAR operations manager.

Kenyon was able to stop his fall with an ice ax and was holding in place Friday evening, Dozier said. Due to his location and injury, he was unable to get down the mountain on his own.

A two-man mountain rescue team was flown by an Air Link helicopter to near his location to assess the situation and determine Kenyon’s medical needs, the sergeant said. He added that Kenyon was able to maintain contact with rescuers by text message.

Two SAR mountain rescue teams were on the ground before 8 p.m. and made their way to Kenyon.

An Oregon Army National Guard HH-60M Blackhawk medevac helicopter flew in from Salem and used its spotlight as it was guided to the right spot by ground crews.

Around 9 p.m. came word the climber had been lifted off the mountain and was being flown to St. Charles Bend. The extent of his injuries were not yet known.

The Air Link helicopter was being used to extricate the SAR mountain rescue teams, once they reached a safe landing area, Dozier said.