Two rock climbers were using ropes to ascend a defined climbing path on Beacon Rock when an adult male fell approximately 25 feet and landed on a ledge 200 feet off the ground
About 1:30 p.m. Thursday (March 14), the Region 4 Technical Rescue Team responded to Beacon Rock State Park to assist the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office and Skamania County EMS to bring an injured rock climber to the ground.
Two rock climbers were using ropes to ascend a defined climbing path on Beacon Rock when an adult male fell approximately 25 feet and landed on a ledge 200 feet off the ground.
The rescue team members responded from Clark County and when they arrived on scene they developed a methodical plan to reach the injured climber using a complex rope and pulley system. Three firefighters ascended the 200-foot rock wall to reach the patient.
The first was the Vancouver Fire Department Technical Rescue Team coordinator Captain Chris McBride, who climbed up to establish the rope rescue system. Another was a paramedic firefighter Mike McHugh, who evaluated the extent of the climbers injuries and found him to be in significant pain due to multiple injuries including a traumatic hip injury.
McHugh evaluated the climber and treated him for his pain. Another firefighter joined them with a “stokes basket” so they could place the climber in the metal basket for extrication to the ground using the rope-and-pulley system.
The rescue took five hours, completion taking place just before the oncoming darkness. The climber was taken to the PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Emergency Department by Skamania County EMS.
Technical rescue team leaders on scene described a difficult and unique situation.
“This was a really tough one. This was a once-in-a-career rescue effort. This is why we spend hundreds of hours training for an event like this. Everyone worked well together and performed professionally and proficiently.”
A Vancouver Fire battalion chief on scene, who was the previous tech team coordinator, stated: “That was the hardest tech call of my 30-year career. We were on plan D and E. There were so many variables and our last rescuer came off the rock in the dark.”
The Region 4 Tech Team consists of firefighters from Clark County Fire District 6, Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue and Vancouver Fire Department. The team is available to respond to incidents in Washington state Region 4 including Clark, Skamania, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties 24 hours a day.
Information provided by the Vancouver Fire Department.
Also read:
- Passionate arguments made before Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries Board of Trustees
A standing room only crowd addressed the Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries Board of Trustees over new strategic plan language, with speakers split over protecting children and concerns about censorship. - Seattle Seahawks officially up for sale
The Estate of Paul G. Allen has launched a formal sale process for the Super Bowl LX champion Seattle Seahawks, with the team expected to fetch a record-breaking price. - Tension rising over how to spend revenue from proposed WA income tax
Gov. Bob Ferguson and fellow Democrats are clashing over how much of a proposed 9.9% income tax on earnings above $1 million should go toward tax relief versus the state budget. - Opinion: Senate shenanigans – Income tax debate, double-standards
Elizabeth New writes that Senate Bill 6346 would impose a 9.9% tax on income above $1 million and is likely headed for a legal challenge if approved by the House. - Battle Ground Public Schools opens 2026–27 enrollment for alternative, specialty programs and schools
Battle Ground Public Schools is accepting applications for its tuition-free alternative and specialty programs for the 2026-27 school year. - CCSO responds to assault at Heritage High School
A 15-year-old student was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries after being stabbed by another 15-year-old at Heritage High School. - Shipboard fire response at Port of Vancouver
A fire in a cargo hold aboard a 656-foot break bulk carrier at the Port of Vancouver was brought under control in under four hours with no reported injuries.
