Smith Rock climber survives sizable fall, apparently without serious injury
Barney Lerten
TERREBONNE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A climber who reportedly fell dozens of feet at Smith Rock State Park on Friday afternoon was not seriously hurt. In fact, authorities said he was up and walking around a short time later and declined medical treatment.
Redmond Fire & Rescue took the initial call shortly after 3 p.m. to the well-known Monkey Face feature at the popular climbing spot.
Initial, unconfirmed scanner reports were that the climber had fallen some 60 feet from the base of Monkey Face. But a short time later, follw-up reports indicated he was “awake and talking,” telling those on scene he had come off the end of his rope.
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers were called out and on their way to the scene to assist when they got word they could turn around and head back, that the climber “was up and walking out,” Deputy Shane Zook told KTVZ News.
Because SAR’s response was canceled and a command post was terminated, no report was taken to flesh out the details, Redmond Fire Marshal Tom Mooney told us.
But DCSO Public Information Officer Jason Carr said he was told: “The climber, miraculously, is okay and walking around, and declined medical care.”
Carr called it “the best-case scenario, given how far the climber fell.”