The bad news on Mt. Rainier has now hit home. Matt Hegeman of Truckee, California is among the deceased climbers who most likely fell 3,000 vertical feet off the Liberty Ridge route on14,411-foot Mt. Rainier.
Matt was working as a guide for Alpine Ascents International when the accident occurred this week.
The last known whereabouts of the 6 climbers (2 guides and 4 clients) was at 12,800-feet on Liberty Ridge. Matt had over 50 climbs of Mt. Rainier.
The bodies of the 6 climbers remain where they landed for now due to rockfall danger keeping rescuers at bay. It’s possible that these bodies will never be recovered.
“It would expose our rangers to pretty extreme conditions. And, in all honesty, we may never be able to get on the ground there.” – Ranger Fawn Bauer
This climbing team was due to finish their climb on Friday. Pings from the fallen climbers’ emergency beacons were picked up at the base of a 3,000-foot rock wall on Saturday.
On average in modern times, 2 climbers die climbing Mt. Rainier per year.
The worst climbing disaster in Rainier history came in 1981 when a massive icefall killed 11 Rainier Mountaineering Inc. guides and clients. The only survivor of that incident was guide Peter Whittaker who is the current owner of Rainier Mountaineering Inc.
Since 1897, 95 people have died trying to climb 14,411-foot Mt. Rainier.
This news has hit us hard. This hits so close to home. Guides and clients perishing is one of the saddest things we can image. Again, our hearts go out to all the friends and family.
There is a memorial fund in Matt’s honor to help his widow Ericka with the extra expenses and travel associated with Matt’s passing. Please contribute a few dollars to help Matt’s widow through this difficult time.
http://www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/matthew-hegeman-memorial-fund/189783