Tragedy struck on Saturday at Mount St. Helens in Washington state as an experienced climber met his demise inside the volcano's crater. The climber, identified as Roscoe "Rocky" Shorey, a 42-year-old from Washougal, Washington, was attempting to snowboard when he fell roughly 1,200 feet from the summit. The fatal incident occurred when an icy ridge cracked off near the rim beneath his feet.
The Skamania County Sheriff's Office confirmed Shorey's identity and described him as "an experienced mountain climber" who had previously summited Mount St. Helens 28 times. According to a statement released by the office, Shorey was well-known in the climbing community.
Authorities believe that Shorey encountered a large cornice upon reaching the summit, which unexpectedly gave way and collapsed into the crater. Cornices, which are blocks of snow hanging over mountain ridges, can be unstable and difficult to spot, especially in warmer conditions.
Tragic Discovery on Mount St. Helens
The sheriff mentioned that Shorey's body was found by a group of climbers who made it to the mountain's summit around 7 a.m. They noticed personal items near the crater's rim, such as a backpack and digital recording devices. Nearby, a snow cornice had broken off and fallen into the crater.
After being airlifted into the crater, a search and rescue team successfully retrieved the body by walking on foot to the remains.
"The Skamania County Sheriff's Office wants to remind climbers about the dangers that come with warmer weather in the area's mountain attractions," their statement read.
"NWAC is saddened to report an avalanche fatality due to a cornice fall on Mount St. Helens," the center stated. "On Friday, March 29, 2024, a snowboarder reached the peak. While at the top, he triggered a cornice and tragically lost his life. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and community."
Set within a national park in the Pacific Northwest, Mount St. Helens is situated approximately 50 miles north of Portland and 100 miles south of Seattle. This active stratovolcano boasts a conical shape made up of numerous layers of solidified lava and volcanic materials, towering over nearby mountain ranges at an impressive elevation of over 8,300 feet. Following its notorious eruption in 1980, the volcano now features a vast crater stretching two miles across its peak.
Despite decades of ongoing volcanic activity post-eruption, authorities have approximated that thousands of individuals flock to the crater rim annually, with even more visitors exploring the park's lower grounds. Climbers seeking to summit the volcano beyond 4,000 feet are required to obtain permits.
