Deschutes County Search and Rescue helped a 42-year-old Redmond woman who was injured Sunday while climbing at Smith Rock State Park.
Assistant SAR Coordinator Donny Patterson said one of his agency’s volunteers happened to be climbing in the area and came upon a woman who needed help down a trail.
One of the members in the injured climbers’ party slid down a climbing rope and hit her head as she was climbing up, Patterson said.
The accident happened around 11 a.m. on a climbing route known as “Darkness at Noon,” which is in the area of the Dihedrals at the park.
The SAR member who was climbing in the area, remained on the scene to provide assistance until further help could arrive.
Due to the location of the climber, a wheeled litter rescue was required.
A DCSO Special Services Deputy responded to the park, as additional Search and Rescue volunteers were called out to assist.
Ten DCSO Search and Rescue volunteers responded to assist.
When Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue teams arrived on the scene, the medical team members began providing patient care and preparing the injured climber for transport by wheeled litter.
Once the patient was ready, Search and Rescue members along with a State Park employee, began moving the climber down through some tough terrain, eventually reaching the canyon floor and footbridge.
The climber was then taken out of the canyon to an awaiting Redmond Fire/Paramedic ambulance.
This was a team effort and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Redmond Fire and the Oregon State Parks for their assistance in this rescue.
