Skamania County Sheriff’s Office
On March 30th, 2024, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a report of a deceased subject within the crater of MT St Helens. At approximately 0700 hours on March 30th, 2024, a climbing group reached the summit of MT St Helens near the Monitor Ridge Climbing Route. The climbing group located a backpack, digital recording devices, and other personal effects near the rim of the crater. Near the personal belongings, a snow cornice near the rim fractured and fell into the crater of the mountain. The climbing group reported observing a motionless person within the crater of the volcano approximately 1200 feet below the summit.
The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office coordinated a search & rescue mission to recover the subject. Members of the Volcano Rescue Team (V.R.T.) based out of Yacolt, WA responded along with J& L Aviation Helicopters to recover the individual. Members of the Volcano Rescue Team were airlifted to the crater of the volcano where they ascended on foot to the recovery location. The V.R.T. rescue personnel conducted a successful recovery, and the decedent was flown to the incident command at the Marble Mountain Sno-Park.
The subject was later identified as 42-year-old Roscoe (Rocky) Shorey, of Washougal, Washington. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the North County Emergency Medical Servies, Volcano Rescue Team, and J&L Aviation for their efforts in the recovery.
Roscoe Shorey was an experienced mountain climber and had successfully summitted MT St Helens 28 times prior to this accident. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind climbers of the dangers warmer weather brings to the local mountain attractions. Snow cornices are difficult to detect and become weaker during warm, sunny periods.
The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office offers their condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Shorey.