Miraculous Survival: Woman Plummets 1,500 Feet on Mt. Shasta

WHO:

CBS News - A 31-year-old woman was involved in the incident.

CBS News - The woman's climbing party consisted of three novices.

CBS News - Rescue efforts involved three climbing rangers from the U.S. Forest Service and members of the California Highway Patrol.

WHAT:

CBS News - The woman fell 1,500 feet down Mount Shasta.

CBS News - She suffered a suspected ankle fracture and additional injuries consistent with the significant fall.

CBS News - The woman was found alert and "in good spirits" after the fall.

CBS News - Rescue operations began around noon and concluded with her safe removal at approximately 5:30 p.m.

CBS News - The fall serves as a reminder that Mount Shasta is a high-altitude mountaineering environment.

WHERE:

CBS News - The incident occurred on Mount Shasta, California.

CBS News - The climbing party was ascending along a route called Avalanche Gulch.

WHEN:

CBS News - The fall occurred on a Sunday.

CBS News - The woman was taken to Mercy Medical Center Mount Shasta for medical care after the rescue.

WHY:

CBS News - The U.S. Forest Service emphasized the importance of being honest about experience and physical conditioning before attempting to summit Mount Shasta.

HOW:

CBS News - Initial helicopter search efforts were limited due to cloud cover, leading one ranger to ascend on foot.

CBS News - A member of the woman's climbing party assisted in carrying rescue equipment, along with a fourth climber who stopped to help.

(UPDATED July 1, 2026 13:49 UTC)

A 31-year-old woman fell 1,500 feet down Mount Shasta while climbing with a party of three novices, suffering a suspected ankle fracture and other injuries. Rescue efforts, which began around noon and concluded at approximately 5:30 p.m., involved three climbing rangers from the U.S. Forest Service and members of the California Highway Patrol, with the woman found alert and in good spirits after the fall. The U.S. Forest Service has reminded climbers of the importance of being honest about their experience and physical conditioning before attempting to summit this challenging high-altitude environment.