Solo skier stranded 10,000 feet up Mount Shasta after injury, California sheriff says

An injured solo skier called 911 for help 10,000 feet up Mount Shasta, California sheriff’s officials reported.

The skier, a Canadian who had been exploring the mountain, called for help at 6:17 p.m. Friday, March 7, after seriously injuring his leg, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office said in a March 11 news release.

During his final descent, the 39-year-old experienced backcountry skier crashed, breaking his lower leg, rescuers said. He was unable to descend on his own.

Rescuers, “including skiers, a snowmobiler team, and a snowshoe team,” scaled the iconic mountain to the injured skier in the dark.

They were able to ski him down the mountain to a waiting ambulance at 10:32 p.m., rescuers said.

Rescuers advised against skiing, climbing, snowmobiling or hiking alone on Mount Shasta, and advised visitors to wrap up their outdoor activities before dark.

Mount Shasta, the fifth-highest peak in California at 14,179 feet, is about a 220-mile drive north from Sacramento.

This story was originally published March 12, 2025 at 11:25 AM with the headline "Solo skier stranded 10,000 feet up Mount Shasta after injury, California sheriff says."