Bend climber dies in fall near summit of Three Finger Jack

Published 12:39 pm Monday, September 21, 2015

ALBANY, Ore. — Authorities say a mountain climber died in a fall at Three Finger Jack in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness.

Linn County Sheriff Bruce Riley says 22-year-old Tyler Heilman of Bend was near the summit Sunday afternoon when he fell.

Searchers found his body 4½ hours after 9-1-1 dispatchers received the emergency call. The recovery was put off until Monday because of the rugged terrain and approaching darkness.

Riley says Heilman and a 23-year-old climbing partner were at an elevation of about 7,700 feet. The sheriff says Heilman was not roped in and he fell 500 to 600 feet.