Oregon Public Broadcasting

A man rescued off of Mount Hood last night is resting now at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland.

The extent of Chris Biddle’s injuries hasn’t been released, though he was conscious and talking this morning.

A fellow climber says Biddle tumbled about 300 feet, injuring his face, arms, legs, and possibly his head. Fellow climber Jeff Manor says Biddle seemed to know what he was doing and was watching every step.

Jeff Manor: “It’s the one that didn’t go so well that everybody noticed. He seemed competent to me, I don’t think he didn’t belong up there. It’s just unfortunate that you let your guard down for a fraction of a second, or maybe he didn’t let his guard down and it was just an honest mistake. Things like that happen every day.”

Manor was descending with Biddle when Biddle fell. Manor called 911. 

He and a third climber, Philipp Jelinek of Austria, kept Biddle warm, gave him some medical help, and ensured Search and Rescue teams found him. Both the climbers have some emergency medical training.