Surviving Mount Rainier climber evacuated...

Fosters.com said:

Surviving Mount Rainier climber evacuated day after friend dies
By ELIZABETH M. GILLESPIE

Associated Press Writer

LONGMIRE, Wash. (AP) — A climber who cared for his severely injured companion on a steep rocky slope of Mount Rainier for three days until help arrived was flown to safety by helicopter Tuesday, the day after his friend died on a helicopter flight to a hospital.

Scott Richards, 42, of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, underwent a medical examination and appeared in good condition, said park spokesman Kevin Bacher.

Still, the ordeal of making an emergency camp on the stormy mountain while helping his climbing partner — at times incoherent and combative from a head injury — had taken its toll.

"He is flat-out exhausted. He basically hasn’t slept in four days," Bacher said.

A break in the clouds allowed a National Guard helicopter to reach Richards, whose climbing partner, Peter Cooley, slipped and fell 30 feet Saturday on Liberty Ridge, one of the mountain’s most difficult climbing routes.

Richards was too distraught and tired to speak with reporters Tuesday, but — eyes tearing and lips trembling — he stood by as a friend read a statement on his behalf.

"Peter was a great guy — confident, trustworthy and very passionate in everything he does," David Barber read. "He waged an incredible battle on the mountain for survival. I will be forever saddened by the loss of my close friend."

Cooley, 39, also of Cape Elizabeth, suffered a severe head injury in the fall, 12,300 feet up on the north side of the 14,410-foot peak. The climbers were stranded on a 45-degree slope with steep and rocky terrain above and below them. Temperatures dipped below freezing in whiteout conditions.

Cooley was picked up by helicopter Monday evening, but died en route to a hospital.

"Unfortunately, with the death of Peter, it kind of sets a little different mood than we’d like to have at this time," Ranger Michael Larson said. "But fortunately Scott Richards was able to make it down safely and our climbing team made it down without incident. We feel good about that, at least. We feel very sad for Peter Cooley’s family."

Richards called for help on his cell phone Saturday, but the rescue effort was repeatedly stymied by bad weather and thick clouds. A helicopter dropped supplies, including a radio, food, water, warm clothing and sleeping bags, to the two climbers Sunday night.

Two climbing rangers finally reached the pair at midday Monday.

They found Cooley in poor condition — in and out of consciousness, incoherent and combative — with head, leg and shoulder injuries, park rangers said. Richards had kept his head wound clean and his body warm. Though Cooley would not drink, Richards had dripped water into his mouth.

A sudden clearing in the weather allowed the helicopter to pick Cooley up late Monday.

Richards and the rangers spent the night on the mountain at an established climbers’ camp at 10,760 feet. The three hiked down to 8,800 feet Tuesday morning, and were picked up there by the helicopter.

Cooley’s death was the first on Mount Rainier since September 2002 and the 90th since 1887, when records were first kept.

Cooley, who was married and had three children, and Richards were described as experienced climbers who had scaled Rainier before.

———

On the Net: Mount Rainier National Park: http://www.nps.gov/mora/

Click to expand...