Mount Rainier - Emmons Glacier Accident

[susanjoypaul Profile 14er Peak List (58) 14ers in Winter (2)13er Peak List (71)Trip Reports]

A park ranger fell to his death during the rescue of four climbers. The roped climbers had slipped and fallen on the glacier, and two needed to be pulled from a crevasse.

To anyone who's heading up there over the next few weeks, please be safe. The Emmons Glacier may appear to be a fairly innocuous route compared to others on the mountain, but even a slip can be fatal. I remember preparing for that route myself: We practiced crevasse rescue over and over again, until we were able to set up the Z-pulley and extricate a "victim" in less than fifteen minutes. We actually got it down to five minutes, but that was under ideal conditions, and not on the side of a mountain - after an exhausting climb - with the wind blowing at 14,000 feet.

RIP Nick Hall.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018496296_rainierrescue22m.html

[nyker Profile 14er Peak List (49) 13er Peak List (3)Trip Reports]

Just saw that, a shame...does anyone know if the injured climbers were part of a guided group (from RMI or another) or climbing by themselves unguided?

[shotgung Profile 14er Peak List (10) 14ers in Winter (1)13er Peak List (1)Trip Reports]

From reading the article, it sounds like an unguided climb. Article didn't mention guide service.

[susanjoypaul Profile 14er Peak List (58) 14ers in Winter (2)13er Peak List (71)Trip Reports]

^^^ agree, from the article it sounds like an unguided climb. It would be very hard to pull two people from a crevasse - that's a lot of weight on the rope, with just two others to self-arrest, set up anchors and do a rescue, unassisted.

[jasayrevt Profile 14er Peak List Not Entered]

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[MtnClimber82 Profile 14er Peak List (16) 13er Peak List (2)]

Very humbling. We will be attempting the Emmons route in just under 2 weeks...

Sad news, RIP Nick Hall.

[SurfNTurf Profile Website 14er Peak List (58) 14ers in Winter (23)13er Peak List (25)Trip Reports]

R.I.P. Sad news and a sobering reminder.

During my own Rainier training, I've had quite a few people not to worry much about crevasse rescue on the "trade routes." I'm glad my team is taking it very seriously.

(thanks again to Fletch, Carl and Marc for instruction the past few months!)

[Dave B Profile 14er Peak List Not Entered Trip Reports]

I was supposed to be headed up the Emmons starting this morning from White River, shite early season weather and winds forecast in the 40-50 mph range for our available summit days had me changing my plane ticket and coming back home.

It was very hard decision to make, considering the preparation that went into that trip, but it really seems like it was the right one.

[hunterwf Profile 14er Peak List (19) 13er Peak List (3)]

Very sad. I myself just got back from the DC route this week.

[seano732 Profile Website 14er Peak List (5) 14ers in Winter (2)Trip Reports]

Thoughts and prayers to the family. Even though Emmons is considered a "trade route", as others have said, any travel over a crevassed glacier is serious biz. When we did Emmons, both myself and my partner partially punched through the Inter Glacier on the descent. Be safe. Peace.

[kushrocks Profile Website 14er Peak List (57) 14ers in Winter (9)13er Peak List (7)Trip Reports]

Ranger Nick Hall - You died while trying to rescue others in trouble. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. You are a true hero. Rest in Peace

[CAF Profile Website 14er Peak List Not Entered Trip Reports]

Nice post on the man, Nick Hall, http://www.mountrainierclimbing.blogspot.com/.
Anyone that climbed thru Muir or Schurman over the past few years more than likely ran in to Nick.
RIP