Former Mt Hood Hero Takes A Fall On Mt. Hood

OregonLive is reporting that a climbing accident that occured on Saturday involved a climber who helped in search and rescue efforts during  a tragic climbing accident seven years prior.  Michael Lemming, who is a volunteer with the Portland Mountain Rescue, took a fall on Saturday while ice climbing near the spot that the first accident occured.  That first accident resulted in three deaths and a crashed rescue helicopter.  Lemming was working to help rescue another climber when the chopper crashed near where he was working.

Seven years later, Michael Lemming would need the same support that he had offered in that first rescue.  Luckily, Michael is still alive and currently in a hospital near Mt. Hood.  His fall occured near a feature called ‘The Pearly Gates.” (Kind of cryptic)  He says that ice gave way under him resulting in his fall.  The same rescue efforts that Michael usually takes part in, probably helped save his own life.  He mentioned that he finally had the chance to witness the amazing jobs that people like himself do on a daily basis.

To read the full story of this interesting rescue, I suggest you check out OregonLive.

The accident that occured seven years ago is still widely searched for information.  Nine climbers would fall into a crevasse.  One pulled down by the other, till all nine had fell.  Three climbers died.  During the Search and Rescue efforts, one of the main helicopters providing support would crash into Mt. Hood.  Stories of this accident still widely circulate among the climbing community and those who took part in the rescue.  Luckily, Michael’s rescue had a better outcome and he will live to tell his interesting story.  It is nice to see a good outcome in the news.  The injuries sustained by Michael Lemming have not been reported, but it is known that he is talking to the media about his experiences and says that he hopes to rejoin the Portland Mountain Rescue volunteers after he recuperates.

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