A close friend of mine, Katie T. died on three finger jack Yesterday after a slip on gravel on one of the descent ridges and thena fall into a gully. I was wondering if there was a place where the rescue services post notices of things like this. Was anyone on the rescue who could tell me more? I am just thankful she went out doing what she loved instead of something like a car accident.
RIP Katie.
news article

I'm glad you are celebrating her death! Easy for me to say, hard for you to do. Keep her memory alive in your soul and keep celebrating the times that you were blessed to share. She is fortunate to die in such a way.

Here's to Katie

I'm from Washington, but the Sheriff's office is always in charge of SAR operations. I looked up the county SAR team but their page is way out of date:

http://www.co.linn.or.us/Sheriff/SAR/LCSOsar.BaseCamp.htm

I would contact the person below as he is the Linn County Search and Rescue Coordinator. He could get you the names of the agencies who responded to the accident.

LINN
Lieutenant Will McAnulty
Linn County Sheriff's Office
P. O. Box 100
Albany, OR 97321
Office: 541 917 6683
wmcanulty@le.linn.or.us

The mountain rescue community sends its regards,

Tod Lokey
Tacoma Mountain Rescue
Communications Chair

Sorry for thread drift but I was wondering...

Was Katie a member of the OSU climbing club? Or was this a OSU climbing club outing?

RIP Katie.

It is sad to hear of another death on this local peak.

Read more about the objective dangers of Three Finger Jack:
http://www.traditionalmountaineering.org/Report_Jack_FatalSlip.htm

She was at one time a member of OSU Mountain Club but she graduated last year and hasn't been very active in the club. Her climbing partners were just 2 close friends from school. The trip wasn't associated with Mountain CLub. She was actually just in the beginning stages of joining one of the mountain rescue organizations in Oregon. She was fully competent for that mountain's difficulty from my perspective. Shit just happens. Lets take this as a lesson on not letting our guard down until completely past the exposed sections of a climb or descent.

I saw Katie that afternoon just below the summit block chimney.
As far as "she went out doing what she loved." You're right! It was an incredibly beautiful sunny day on 3FJ, one that climbers envision… sun on your face and endless peaks draped with blue.

The following information came from an acquaintance in the Mazama group that was above Katie's climbing party.
You may be aware of the situation at this point, but apparently the accident occurred just below the base of "The Crawl" possibly at a part of the trail commonly known as "Cliffhanger trail".

Our climbing party was lower down the ridge of 3FJ at time of the accident. We were all unaware of the accident until we reached the trailhead.

I hope I was helpful.

My condolences to the family and friends.


For further information on the accident you may also try contacting -

Sisters Ranger District
PO Box 248
Sisters, OR 97759
541-549-2111

Detroit Ranger District
HC-73, Box 320
Mill City, OR 97360
503-854-3366

Katie was a good friend of mine also, though I never had a chance to climb with her. If anybody who knew her has any stories or kind words they would like to share, I would be happy to pass them on to her friends and family.

Please keep Katie and her family in your thoughts during this difficult time.

a memorial service for Katie T. will be held on Saturday at 2pm

Hillboro Presbyterian Church,
172 NE 32 AVE
Hillsboro, OR 97124

The web address is www.hillsboropres.com

RIP Katie

The memorial service at the Hillboro Presbyterian Church is no longer happening. I am not sure where the memorial service will be. If I hear anything I'll post it.

The memorial for Katie will be Thursday 11am at Nash. There will be a tree planted in her memory and a reception in the Pernot Library in Nash Hall. Katie’s parents will be there. Also Katie’s family is planning a memorial at
their home in Hillsboro Saturday at 2pm. The memorial is very informal so T-Shirts and shorts are fine."

Having been on the mountain the day of the accident (our group left "the crawl" area mere minutes before Katie's fall), I've been sobered by how unfortunate all of this has been. It's really put things into perspective: climbing can be dangerous no matter your skill level and objective hazards do exist. We all understand those risks, accept them, and, therefore, reach such lofty places that inspire us. Our bonds with each other and the environment are strengthened by what we learn on the trail and in the mountains.

I did not know Katie, but I gather that she had a deep respect for the mountains and was a good friend. It sounds like she was an amazing person. Bless her soul.

I saw Katie and her group at the alcove before the final pitch to the summit. I distinctly remember how everyone up there seemed to be having a great time- glorious weather, joking, and laughter. Indeed, it was a beautiful day.

Thanks for all the fun times Katie, we miss you.

There are some inaccuracies in the media. For an essentially definitive report of what happened, you can go to:

http://www.i-world.net/oma/news/accidents/2005-07-23-3fj.html

Thanks Iain, and you have my most sincere condolences.

That second photo, taken from where the fall happened sent a chill through me...

I've traipsed across the top of stuff with a view like that and been thinking "Man, I wouldn't want to slip and fall here."