The Rise in Rescues & Recoveries on Mount Hood: How crowds, inexperience, & social media are taxing rescue mountaineers.

PNWM Coalition hosted Dr. Van Tilburg’s case-based discussion about the rise in rescues and fatalities on Mt. Hood, one of the world's most-climbed glaciated peaks and pinnacle objectives in the Pacific Northwest region on Novemeber 2, 2022 via Zoom. You can watch the video below or on YouTube.

Objectives:

  1. Discuss the role of crowds and inexperienced climbers on Mount Hood.

  2. Discuss the role of social media in Mount Hood accidents.

  3. Compare trends in mountaineering accidents.

 
 

Preview the discussion with the recent publications and interviews by Dr. Van Tilburg:

  • OPB.org - “Mount Hood rescues have started early, worrying mountaineers.” June 8, 2022

  • Outside Magazine - “Why Are So Many Climbers in Trouble on Mount Hood This Year? Crowds, inexperience, and social media are leading to a surge in rescue calls on one of the most climbed peaks in America.” May 29, 2022

Christopher Van Tilburg, MD

Christopher Van Tilburg is an American physician, rescue mountaineer, and award-winning author of 11 books, including two previous mountain rescue memoirs. Dr. Van Tilburg works in the emergency room, in clinic, and at a ski resort at the base of Oregon’s legendary, lethal Mount Hood. He is medical director for four search and rescue teams, chair of Mountain Rescue Association’s Medical Committee, and a USA delegate to the International Commission for Alpine Rescue. He serves as the local Public Health Officer and Medical Examiner. He has worked as an expedition physician on six continents, as a cruise ship doctor, and as team leader on five humanitarian medical trips to Haiti. 

From the Wilderness Medical Society, he received the Dian Simpkins Award for Service in 2011, the Haiti Humanitarian Research Award in 2013, and the Ice Axe Award for Service in 2014. He is emeritus editor of Travel Medicine News and emeritus editor of Wilderness Medicine Magazine. 

For more information and contact for Dr. Van Tilburg, visit christophervantilburg.com.