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Active-duty serviceman killed climbing Mt. Baker

9 years ago in Local

A helicopter from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island brings rescuers back on board after hoisting an injured climber from the Sholes Glacier on Mt. Baker Saturday, August 19. The man's climbing partner was killed when they both fell into a crevasse in a climbing accident. Photo: KGMI/Courtesy Amanda Green


KGMI News
by Dillon Honcoop

GLACIER, Wash. – An active-duty member of the U.S. military died Saturday while climbing Mt. Baker, and a climbing partner was seriously injured.

PHOTO: KGMI/COURTESY AMANDA GREEN
A helicopter from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island prepares to hoist an injured climber from the Sholes Glacier on Mt. Baker Saturday, August 19. The man’s climbing partner was killed when they both fell into a crevasse in a climbing accident. PHOTO: KGMI/COURTESY AMANDA GREEN

The men fell 25 feet into a crevasse on the Sholes Glacier northeast of Mt. Baker’s summit, said Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo.

A Navy helicopter from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island rescued the injured climber and took him to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center Saturday.

A SnoHawk helicopter with the Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team and the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office recovered the other climber’s body Sunday, Elfo said.

The men’s names and military branch haven’t been released yet, to give the military time to reach their families.

Whatcom County Medical Examiner Gary Goldfogel will do an autopsy to confirm the cause of the man’s death, according to Elfo.

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Story © 2017 KGMI - Images © 2017 KGMI

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