Oregon Public Broadcasting

A doctor from Eugene died on Mt. Hood Sunday as he was descending the Cooper Spur route on the northeast side of the mountain. Pete Springer reports.

Dr. Gary Lee was an experienced climber. He descended from the summit Sunday afternoon with a climbing party that included his son.

Rescue officials say a rock struck Lee, causing him to fall about a thousand feet.

The climbing party used a cell phone to call for help.

The Oregon National Guard sent a Blackhawk helicopter equipped with infrared sensors to the mountain.

But Kay Fristad, a spokeswoman for the Guard, says it was too late.

Kay Fristad: “When they got up the mountain, they were able to location the climber, but also they were unfortunately able to determine there was no heat coming from the climber at that time so the mission then went from a rescue operation to more of a recovery mode.”

Recovery efforts began early Monday morning but rescue personnel say the body is in a hazardous location that only specialized, technical climbers can reach safely.