From Climbing · Anthony Walsh · · 1m 40s
Historic Climbing Rescue on Mount Robson's Emperor Face
Two climbers rescued from Mount Robson's Emperor Face after failed nighttime attempt.
In brief
Two climbers rescued from Mount Robson's Emperor Face after failed nighttime attempt. Two climbers were rescued from Mount Robson's Emperor Face after a failed nighttime rescue attempt, with no frostbite reported. Originally reported by Climbing.
Climbers stuck on Emperor Face
Two climbers were stuck high on Mount Robson's 5,000-foot Emperor Face after a failed nighttime rescue attempt.
Conditions worsened by sun
As the sun warmed the Emperor Face, climbing conditions turned into a sloppy mess of isothermal snow and running water.
First rescue attempt
Jeff McNaughton received an SOS call from climbers at 10,700 feet, describing themselves as hypothermic and unable to descend safely.
Helicopter rescue attempt
A military helicopter circled below the climbers with a spotlight but could not reach them due to altitude limitations.
Successful rescue next day
The next day, rescuers successfully long-lined both climbers off the Emperor Face and deposited them at the trailhead.
Climbers in good condition
Dale Mason confirmed the climbers were healthy with no frostbite after the rescue, though they were hypothermic initially.
Why rescue was needed
Climbers were too incapacitated by cold to descend safely, with equipment perceived as insufficient for surviving the night.
Emperor Face conditions changed
Mount Robson's glaciers have shrunk, exposing loose stone and increasing rockfall risks due to melting permafrost.
First successful rescue
This is the first time in history a party has been successfully rescued by helicopter from the Emperor Face.
Key lesson for climbers
Climbers should always bring enough equipment to survive the night on snowy alpine routes in September.
The essence
Two climbers were rescued from Mount Robson's Emperor Face after a failed nighttime rescue attempt, with no frostbite reported.
