The Volcano Rescue Team responded late last week after a skier suffered a leg injury on Mount St. Helens.
Just after 11 a.m. on Friday, April 4, the Volcano Rescue Team was notified about a skier on Mount St. Helens who had been skiing down the mountain just below the crater rim.
While making a turn on the descent, the skier’s left ski edge came in contact with their right knee, slicing their pants and causing a significant and deep wound to their right leg, according to the Volcano Rescue Team.
The skier’s companion is a nurse and was able to treat and bandage the wound enough to stop the bleeding.
A volunteer with the Mount St. Helens Institute happened to be at the summit when the incident occurred and quickly made their way down to 7,500 feet to assist.
Seven Volcano Rescue Team members initially responded. The first two members deployed and rode snowmobiles to the subject.
The skier was loaded onto one of the snowmobiles and taken down the hill, meeting other responders who were making their way up with additional equipment, the Volcano Rescue Team said.
During the descent, the team was notified of another climber who also needed assistance coming down the mountain. The individual was also placed on a snowmobile and driven to the parking lot.
All Volcano Rescue Team members were out of the field by 5 p.m., and the injured skier was taken by personal vehicle to a local hospital for additional treatment.
This mission was managed by a search and rescue coordinator with the Skamania County Sheriff's Office.
One of the snow vehicles utilized to transport people and equipment was recently donated to the Volcano Rescue Team by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
“We are thankful to partners like the Tribe who provide funding to purchase and maintain equipment needed for us to provide mountain rescue services,” the Volcano Rescue Team said.
