Injured climber rescued on Sinister Peak

WENATCHEE — A climber injured on the northern glacier of Sinister Peak was rescued Monday afternoon after a hoist-capable helicopter was dispatched to the remote area, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office reported.

Deputies received a call around 1:38 p.m. on July 14 from the Washington State Emergency Operations Center regarding a Garmin inReach activation near the Chickamin Glacier, north of Glacier Peak. According to the message, a man had broken his ankle and was heard yelling across the canyon for help. The individual who reported the emergency was not with the injured man at the time.

Deputies determined that the injured climber was alone on the glacier. The reporting party’s group made their way across glacial and rocky terrain to locate the man, later identified as 31-year-old Ryan Polkinghorn. He had sustained injuries to his head, neck and shoulder from a fall and was exhibiting signs of early-stage hypothermia.

A hoist-capable helicopter from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island responded to the request for assistance. The crew arrived at the location, lowered medical personnel who administered on-site care, and hoisted Polkinghorn from the glacier. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center for further treatment.