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posted 02/16/10 10:16 AM | updated 02/16/10 10:23 AM
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Weather Slows Mount St. Helens Climber Rescue

By Michael van Baker
Editor
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UPDATE: Joseph Bohlig did not survive. His body has been recovered. KIRO TV has the story.

Yesterday afternoon at around 1 p.m., 52-year-old Joseph Bohlig from Kelso was making his 68th ascent of Mount St. Helens. At the top, he posed for a picture near the crater rim, and the snow cornice he was standing on gave way beneath him. He plunged about 1,500 feet down into the crater, and came to rest on a 70-degree slope.

It's believed he survived the fall (and was reported to be heard blowing a rescue whistle), but turbulent winds, whiteout conditions, and falling rocks kept rescue crews from getting to him yesterday, though they came within about 50 feet. First a USGS helicopter tried to rescue him, then a Coast Guard helicopter. Night fell, and halted the attempt, which must have meant a cold, cold night for Bohlig, who had taken off his coat for the picture.

Today, a Navy helicopter from Whidbey has been engaged in the rescue, and the rescue teams hope that the weather will break (volcano cam) long enough to allow the helicopter to do its work.

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Mountain Climber
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Comment by Mary
1 day ago
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