Bend climber stranded on Broken Top rescued in 19-hour, all-night air and ground operation
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A Bend man who called for help after he became stranded on a ridge above the crater of Broken Top on Friday afternoon led to a challenging air and ground rescue operation that took about 20 hours to successfully conclude, officials said Wednesday.
Around 3:15 p.m. last Friday, Deschutes County 911 received a report of a 34-year-old Bend man who was stranded on the east-facing ridge above the crater of Broken Top, Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Jason Carr said in a news release.
"Although he was familiar with the area and had climbed it before, current conditions were significantly different," Carr said. "The lack of snow and the unstable, crumbly rock posed hazards he was not equipped to navigate, and he lacked proper climbing gear for the terrain."
Deschutes County Sheriff's Search and Rescue responded to assist. Because of the technical and hazardous nature of the location, four experienced Mountain Rescue Unit (MRU) members were assigned to the mission.
The Army National Guard was also asked to assist with a helicopter hoist. Due to the high altitude and limited daylight, the National Guard was unable to conduct a hoist that evening but advised they would be available at first light the following day. With temperatures near freezing and rising concern for hypothermia, it was determined that immediate ground assistance was necessary.
At 6:20 p.m., two Mountain Rescue Unit members were flown by AirLink helicopter to a landing zone on the northwest ridge of Broken Top, a nearly 9,200-foot peak. Two more team members were flown to the same location at 7:04 p.m.
The four rescuers operated as two climbing teams, eventually joining on a single route. Extremely loose rock, steep terrain, cliff exposure, cold temperatures, and darkness made progress slow and hazardous, Carr said.
On Saturday at 2:13 a.m., rescuers reached the stranded man and secured him with appropriate climbing equipment. The team then began the climb back toward the summit, using the same route they had established. At 6:30 a.m., the team arrived at the summit with the man.
At 9:06 a.m., the Army National Guard reached the summit and hoisted the man and two rescuers to the West Village parking lot at Mt. Bachelor, where Bend Fire and Rescue medics stood by to provide medical care. At 10:02 a.m., the remaining two rescuers were hoisted from the summit and transported to the same location.
"No medical treatment was required for anyone involved," Carr said, adding: "The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office extends sincere gratitude to Search & Rescue volunteers, AirLink, and the Army National Guard for their coordinated assistance with this rescue."
