Watch a video of the rescue taken from helicopter Guardian 2.
NORTH BEND, Wash. — The King County Sheriff’s Office performed a mountaintop rescue Saturday after a hiker fell about 50 feet and may have incurred a head injury.
According to a video released by law enforcement, the man was hiking near Haystack Rock on Mt. Si when he fell and hit his head. The rescue was encumbered by weather, officials said.
“We had difficulty getting to him due to wind, snow and clouds at 4,100 feet. Once we had a break in the weather, we successfully rescued him and flew him to Harborview [Medical Center],” KCSO officials wrote in the video caption.
According to the Washington Trails Association, Haystack Rock is the true peak of Mt. Si. There is no formal trail leading to the top — it’s a scramble over a talus slope.
Professional mountaineering trip leader Neil Stein rated the climb as “moderate to strenuous” difficulty and “challenging.” The Mountaineers organization recommends proper gear and preparation before an ascent of Haystack Rock, including the Ten Essentials, hiking and mountaineering boots and a helmet.
To ensure diverse coverage and expert insight across a wide range of topics, our publication features contributions from multiple staff writers with varied areas of expertise.
