Climber Airlifted from Mt. Shasta After Losing Control on Icy Slope

A solo climber was rescued from Mt. Shasta on Sunday, Aug. 10, after sliding and tumbling several hundred feet down an icy slope near the 13,000-foot mark in Avalanche Gulch.

According to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, the man was glissading — a controlled seated slide using an ice axe — when he lost his grip on the tool. Without it, he couldn’t slow down, accelerating into a tumble that left him with a leg injury, scrapes, and bruises.

The steep upper section of Avalanche Gulch is known to be dangerous in summer. Snow is often too firm, and loose rock becomes unstable, making conditions treacherous even for experienced climbers. Rangers emphasize that glissading should only be done on soft snow, gentle slopes, and with proper technique — including removing crampons and using both an ice axe and boot heels to control speed.

Rescuers from the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, Mt. Shasta Climbing Rangers, and California Highway Patrol Air Operations responded. A climbing ranger was lowered by helicopter, reached the injured man, and assisted in hoisting him to safety. He was flown to Mercy Medical Center in Mount Shasta, where he is expected to make a full recovery.

This was the seventh mountain rescue on Mt. Shasta in 2025. Rangers advise avoiding Avalanche Gulch in summer, recommending the Clear Creek Route instead for a safer climb. They urge anyone attempting the peak to plan thoroughly, check conditions with local guides or rangers, and be prepared for winter-like weather at high elevations — even in August.