An experienced Washington climber was identified as the deceased man found dead Saturday inside the crater of Mount St. Helens, about 1,200 feet below the summit.
Investigators believe Roscoe “Rocky” Shorey, 42, was trying to snowboard when an icy cornice cracked off beneath his feet, dropping him to his death.
Officials described Shorey as “an experienced mountain climber” who had reached the mountain’s summit about three dozen times before the tragedy.
A group of hikers found the body at around 7 a.m. Saturday after discovering the victim’s personal belongings including a backpack near the rim of the crater.
The search and rescue crew was airlifted into the crater where they walked on foot to the body and recovered it.
“The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind climbers of the danger warmer weather brings to the local mountain attractions,” authorities said in a statement.
