Sad news for the climber on Mt. Rainier near Liberty Ridge. Article on KOMO TV website.
Quote:
KOMO-TV reports Matthew Bunker, 28, was reported missing June 26 by other people in his climbing party. The 28-year-old was skiing behind his partner at about 10,400 feet in elevation near Thumb Rock.
Bunker fell in steep train and wasn’t found until days later.
The National Park Service’s A-Star B3 helicopter and Mount Rainier National Park climbing rangers made several aerial reconnaissance missions during the search to find Bunker.
Authorities found him at the base of a cliff that is inaccessible by ground or aviation teams. The area's frequent rock and ice fall poses too high of a risk for rescue personnel to access the location, authorities said. ...
(above emphasis mine)
More information in the article. Sounds like he will be staying up there. ~z
That kind of skiing is such a great risk. You only need to make one small mistake or misjudgment and it is likely to be the end. One of my best friends died in this way.
Rest in Peace.
This is very sad. Does anyone know if they would have ascended via Liberty or a diff route before skiing down? I ask because I was over on Ruth Mtn the same day and could see through binoculars a team of 2 below the summit at 2pm on the Emmons route just as a lenticular cloud was forming over the summit. I assumed they would be coming down but to my surprise this party was still heading up.
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