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Avalanche search rescue on Upper Ingraham Glacier
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CopyEleven climbers were overtaken by an avalanche early Saturday morning, June 5, during a summit attempt via the Ingraham Direct climbing route. Ten of the eleven were extricated from the avalanche by guides from International Mountain Guides and Rainier Mountaineering Incorporated. The eleventh climber has not been located.
"The missing climber did not register for his climb, so we are focusing our efforts on identifying him. Until we do, we are unable to notify his family of the situation," stated Mountaineering District Ranger Stefan Lofgren.
Weather conditions were deteriorating and it was unsafe to resume search operations. The high avalanche and current weather conditions created unsafe conditions for searching from the air and ground. The search will resume when weather and avalanche conditions are favorable.
A Chinook helicopter from the 214th Unit of the U.S. Army Reserve out of Fort Lewis assisted in removing two injured climbers and the rescue team of six from the scene. The rescue party was composed of Mount Rainier climbing rangers and guides from International Mountain Guides and Rainier Mountaineering, Inc.
No sign of the missing climber was found during an air search of the avalanche area. A Hughes 530 helicopter from Northwest Helicopters assisted in the aerial search, staying 1500 feet above the ground due to wind conditions. A ground search was not possible due to high avalanche danger. Searchers were able to probe the sections of the avalanche area they could reach safely.
The avalanche began at about 12,500 feet in elevation and traveled to about 11,200 feet in elevation. It was a slab avalanche that was 100 - 200 yards wide and 1-2 meters deep.
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© 2011 The Dispatch Eatonville, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.
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