A climber who was descending Mount Hood in Oregon fell 500 feet to his death this weekend.
The 63-year-old, whose name was not shared by authorities, was climbing the mountain with his adult son on Sunday during “an unusually busy weekend for climbing” at the volcano when he fell from an elevation of 10,500 feet around 9 a.m., the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office shares.
The department set up a search-and-rescue team after witnesses called 911, the New York Post reports. The Portland Mountain Rescue and the Hood River Crag Rats search-and-rescue team pitched in to help with the search.
Those searching for the man navigated “hazards posed by hydrogen sulfide and other toxic gases venting from fumaroles” and eventually found him motionless at 10:30 a.m., authorities shared.
It remains unclear what caused the man’s fall. He was pronounced dead at the scene and taken to a command post.
“Warm weather at this time of year can create very unstable conditions on this area of Mt. Hood, including falling ice. The addition of many climbers of varying skill levels can add additional hazards,” Portland Mountain Rescue said in a statement, warning of climbing in the coming months. “Exercise caution while climbing Mt. Hood this weekend.”
Related Stories
Volcano Eruption Forces Thousands to Flee From Democratic Republic of Congo
Congo’s Mount Nyiragongo erupted for the first time in nearly two decades Saturday, forcing thousands of civilians to flee from their homes.
Volcano Once Dormant for 6,000 Years Erupts in Iceland
The Department of Emergency Management urged residents to close their windows while the eruption takes place because volcanic gas and ash can be very harmful.
Archeologists Uncover Ancient 'Fast Food' Counter in Pompeii
The longtime chief of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, Massimo Osanna, revealed on Saturday that a full thermopolium—an ancient fast-food stand—has been found.
