A 57-year-old San Francisco Bay Area man died while climbing Mt. Shasta last week, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office reported this afternoon.

Michael Murphy, of San Carlos, was climbing the 14,162-foot mountain Thursday morning when a witness said he may have fallen about 2,000 feet from the Red Banks area. He was found by emergency crews near Lake Helen at the 10,500-foot level. Crews responded just after 6:20 a.m.

A doctor was on the mountain and attempted to treat Murphy, but the climber died before he could be airlifted to a hospital, according to the sheriff’s office.

Lt. Mark Hilsenberg said investigators still do not know how Murphy fell. They also couldn’t say whether Murphy was an experienced climber. Investigators believe that Murphy was with others while he was climbing.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter had been dispatched to bring Murphy to the hospital.

In addition, three off-duty Redding firefighters were climbing the mountain and witnessed Murphy's fall. Fire Capt. Rik Valles and firefighters Cody Buick and Aaron Dieck joined medical personnel in an attempt to save Murphy.

Hilsenberg said Murphy died due to injuries he sustained from his fall.

Authorities are still investigating Murphy’s death and anyone with information is asked to call 841-2900.

clmbr wrote:Climbing Accidents on Mount Shasta Last Weekend
http://northerncaliforniahikingtrails.c ... nt-shasta/

June 15, 2015 - 06:25pm PT
Spoke with the rangers today. Apparently a fatality. The man tried to turn around at the red banks at 7:30 AM and his crampon got stuck at his pants and he fell and cartwheeled down the mountain. Was an experienced climber but didn't manage to self-arrest. Slid down 2,000 feet. Apparently the conditions were bad due to recent rainfall freezing over irregularities in the snow making Avalanche Gulch ice-rink like...