The following is a press release issued by the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office:
On Monday, June 6, 2022, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) coordinated three separate rescue efforts in the area of Avalanche Gulch on Mount Shasta involving five injured climbers, all of whom were airlifted to nearby hospitals. Of the five injured climbers, one was fatally injured.
Several agencies were involved in the rescue efforts including Siskiyou County Sheriff Search and Rescue (SAR), United States Forest Service (USFS) Climbing Rangers, CHP – Air Operations H-14 Crew, Mount Shasta Ambulance, and the Mount Shasta City Fire Department.
INCIDENT #1: Reported Monday at 8:35 a.m.
Two climbers and one guide were tethered together and ascending Mount Shasta, above Helen Lake, when one of the climbers lost their footing, causing all three to fall. The three climbers slid on snow and ice approximately 1,500-2,500 vertical feet down the mountain.
One male was in critical condition with an open fracture on his lower leg as well as head trauma. One female was alert and oriented with a lower leg fracture.
The climbing guide, Jillian Elizabeth Webster, age 32, of Redmond, Oregon, was unresponsive after the fall. A nurse, who was climbing nearby, administered CPR to Webster. Webster was airlifted by CHP H-14 directly to Mercy Mount Shasta where she was later pronounced deceased.
The male climber was airlifted by CHP H-14 to the Ski Bowl parking area and transferred to an air ambulance where he was ultimately flown to Mercy Medical Center Redding. He was reported to be under observation and recovering as of Monday evening.
The female climber was also airlifted by CHP H-14 to the Ski Bowl parking area. She was transferred to a ground ambulance and transported to Mercy Medical Center Mount Shasta. She was reported to be under observation and recovering.
INCIDENT #2: Reported Monday at 12:31 p.m.
A male climber fell approximately 1,000 vertical feet above Helen Lake. USFS Climbing Rangers made contact with the climber who was reported to be injured, however, not critical. Rangers assisted the climber partially down the mountain, but he was unable to continue the descent. The climber was airlifted by CHP H-14 and flown directly to Mercy Medical Center Mount Shasta. His recovery status is unknown at this time.
INCIDENT #3: Reported Monday at 4:00 p.m.
A female who was originally climbing with the male climber in Incident #2 also suffered injuries after losing traction and sliding down the mountain approximately 1,000 vertical feet. CHP H-14 dropped a Climbing Ranger off near the injured climber. She was then airlifted to Mercy Medical Center Mount Shasta. The condition of the female climber is unknown at this time.
Overall, five climbers were injured on Mount Shasta including the death of Climbing Guide Jillian Elizabeth Webster.
Due to the reported unstable conditions, we recommend checking with USFS personnel prior to making any plans of climbing Mount Shasta.
Tax payers end up paying for people who do dangerous “Jackass Movie” style sports. If you expect to be rescued for stupidity then you should have full coverage Insurance, helicopter coverage and county rescue teams should be able to collect for costs to the taxpayer for your idiotic activities. You endanger rescue workers with your stunts and thrill seeking antics. A so-called climbing guide should have costs taken from their estate to cover rescue efforts of the party under their control and fines levied.
Just like thrill seekers on drugs these adrenaline junkies endanger many. Fine go out and “do it”, it’s a free country but don’t ask the taxpayer to cover your hospitalization and rescue costs.