Climber Pulled From Under 16000 Pound Boulder In Dramatic Mountain Rescue On Mount Hood

On May 24, 2026, at approximately 10:20 a.m., Clackamas Fire’s Technical Rescue Team responded to a mutual aid request from Hoodland Fire for the rescue of an injured climber.

Crews including Squad 319, Heavy Rescue 305, Truck 316, and Battalion Chief 301 traveled to Timberline Lodge before continuing on foot and by snow cat to reach the patient’s location.

There, rescuers found the climber trapped beneath a massive boulder estimated at around 16,000 pounds after it became dislodged during a minor rockslide.

Despite immediate efforts by bystanders at the scene, the rock could not be moved.

Incident commanders from Clackamas Fire quickly established unified command with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and Hoodland Fire.

The climber remained conscious and able to communicate, but the seriousness of the situation required a complex rescue operation.

Rescue teams began constructing a lifting system to remove the boulder while coordinating with LifeFlight and OHSU to activate a specialized medical response, including a field surgical team.

A LifeFlight aircraft was dispatched to the scene, while a second helicopter was sent to a landing zone at OHSU as medical teams prepared equipment for rapid deployment.

While rescuers worked in difficult terrain and conditions, the patient was freed at approximately 12:30 p.m. just as the second helicopter approached to land.

The injured climber was moved to the first helicopter and flown for immediate transport to a regional hospital.

The patient is receiving treatment and is expected to recover.

The successful rescue involved coordination between Clackamas Fire, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Hoodland Fire, Timberline Lodge and Mt. Hood Ski Patrol, Life Flight Network, OHSU, Portland Mountain Rescue, PNW Search and Rescue, American Medical Response, and the Hood River Crag Rats.