2011, by powderjunky

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This just in from the local news website from Sisters, Oregon:

SISTERS, Ore. -- A snowboarder who became trapped clinging to a tree partway down a steep, icy cliff south of Sisters was raised about 200 feet by rope and rescued Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

Shortly before 3 p.m., Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies and Sheriff’s Search and Rescue members were dispatched to a report of a snowboarder clinging to a tree above a band of cliffs in an area known as the “playground,” in the Tam McArthur Rim bowl, about 15 miles south of Sisters, said Deputy Mike Biondi.

One deputy and 17 SAR members responded to the area, including mountain rescue, snowmobile and medical teams, said Biondi, the SAR operations manager. They reached the area by snowmobile, then climbed to where Stephan Kresge, 38, of Portland, was located, below a feature known as “the Proboscis.”

Kresge had been snowboarding in the area with four friends when he decided to travel away from his friends and snowboarded down a band of cliffs with an approximately 60 percent grade, Biondi said.

Due to the icy conditions, Kresge was unable to maneuver and ended up clinging to a tree for safety.

Two local outdoor guides were in the area, and one was able to rappel to Kresge’s spot and anchor him to the tree, Biondi said.

SAR teams arrived on scene and raised Kresge about 200 feet to safety. Biondi said Kresge was unhurt and was able to walk out from the top of the rim without assistance.

The entire process took about six hours, the deputy added.

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