Two Young Climbers Rescued on Mount Shasta After 700-Foot Fall

Two young climbers were rescued from high on Mount Shasta earlier this week after a fall left one of them seriously injured during an early-season summit attempt.

According to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, the 19- and 20-year-old climbers from Santa Rosa called for help on the evening of March 9 after one of them slipped while descending Avalanche Gulch, the mountain’s most popular ascent route.

The climber tumbled roughly 700 vertical feet before coming to rest at about 11,300 feet. Authorities say he suffered significant injuries to his shoulder, hand, and ankle, making it impossible for him to continue descending.

The pair had attempted to summit the 14,179-foot volcano in a single day and had not brought overnight gear, extra food, or additional water. While both climbers carried crampons, ice axes, and helmets, the injured climber reportedly lost his equipment during the fall.

Their emergency call came in around 8:22 p.m., but strong winds and darkness made a nighttime rescue too dangerous. Search and rescue teams, along with U.S. Forest Service personnel, climbed the route the following morning and safely reached the stranded climbers. Officials say it marked the first Mount Shasta search-and-rescue mission of 2026.

Despite a relatively mild winter that may make the mountain appear more accessible than usual, officials warn conditions remain hazardous. Ice on the upper slopes increases the risk of long falls, particularly above 12,000 feet.

Rescue officials are urging climbers to carry emergency supplies, check conditions with local rangers, and begin their descent early in the day to reduce risks on the mountain.