Danger Zone

Climber Falls Into Mount St. Helens

Navy helicopter recovers body.

Winds and fading daylight prevented two rescue teams from reaching climber Joseph Bohlig, 52, of Kelso, Washington, who fell 1,500 feet into the crater of Mount St. Helens Monday. Bohlig, an experienced climber, was standing on a snow overhang that eroded, causing him to fall 1,500 feet. Though he was alive shortly after the fall and using a rescue whistle, on Tuesday a Coast Guard helicopter pilot who was part of the rescue team said, "There was no movement of the head, no attempt to signal." Crawford said Bohlig's torso was covered with snow, with his arms, legs, and head sticking out. Bohlig's body was recovered by a Navy rescue helicopter Tuesday.