Two Climbers Rescued Overnight After Becoming Stuck On A Ledge At Smith Rock State Park
- 03/24/26
Smith Rock State Park, Ore. -- Two climbers stranded on a narrow ledge nearly 400 feet above the ground were safely rescued at Smith Rock State Park after a complex nighttime operation conducted by Deschutes County Search & Rescue (SAR) volunteers.
At 8:00 p.m., Monday, March 23, SAR was activated after two male climbers in their late 20s became stuck during a descent on the west side of Smith Rock State Park in an area known to climbers as “Wherever I May Roam.” The pair, visiting from Eugene and Salem, began their climb around 12:00 p.m., pausing at times to let other climbers pass by.
During their rappel, the climbers’ ropes became stuck in rocks, preventing them from continuing downward. Due to the highly technical nature of the situation, SAR deployed several of its most experienced volunteer climbers. The rescue required navigating steep, exposed terrain entirely at night, with cold conditions adding to the complexity.
Rescuers reached the stranded climbers, secured them on ropes, and lowered them safely to the base of the route. Neither climber was injured, though both were cold and not adequately prepared for nighttime temperatures. They were brought to the ground at 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24.
This incident highlights the skill and dedication of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue volunteers, whose advanced climbing abilities and willingness to operate in hazardous conditions made this safe outcome possible.
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Two Climbers Rescued Overnight After Becoming Stuck On A Ledge At Smith Rock State Park
- 03/24/26
Smith Rock State Park, Ore. -- Two climbers stranded on a narrow ledge nearly 400 feet above the ground were safely rescued at Smith Rock State Park after a complex nighttime operation conducted by Deschutes County Search & Rescue (SAR) volunteers.
At 8:00 p.m., Monday, March 23, SAR was activated after two male climbers in their late 20s became stuck during a descent on the west side of Smith Rock State Park in an area known to climbers as “Wherever I May Roam.” The pair, visiting from Eugene and Salem, began their climb around 12:00 p.m., pausing at times to let other climbers pass by.
During their rappel, the climbers’ ropes became stuck in rocks, preventing them from continuing downward. Due to the highly technical nature of the situation, SAR deployed several of its most experienced volunteer climbers. The rescue required navigating steep, exposed terrain entirely at night, with cold conditions adding to the complexity.
Rescuers reached the stranded climbers, secured them on ropes, and lowered them safely to the base of the route. Neither climber was injured, though both were cold and not adequately prepared for nighttime temperatures. They were brought to the ground at 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24.
This incident highlights the skill and dedication of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue volunteers, whose advanced climbing abilities and willingness to operate in hazardous conditions made this safe outcome possible.
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