Portland Climber Found Dead After 300-Foot Fall on Mount Hood

PORTLAND, Ore. (Jan. 26, 2026) — Authorities have identified a climber who died after falling on Mount Hood over the weekend as 30-year-old Thomas Nathan Hostetler of Portland.

According to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Hostetler was climbing near the Devil’s Kitchen area on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, when witnesses said he appeared to lose his footing and fell an estimated 300 feet down the mountain. Other climbers in the area quickly reached him and attempted life-saving measures, but those efforts were unsuccessful.

Search and rescue coordinators with the sheriff’s office were notified of the incident at about 9:45 a.m. Witnesses called 911 to report seeing a climber fall in the popular but hazardous area of the mountain, which is known for steep terrain, exposed rock and ice, and rapidly changing weather conditions. Officials requested assistance from Portland Mountain Rescue and American Medical Response’s Reach and Treat Team to help access the site.

Rescuers reached Hostetler several hours later and confirmed he had died. Recovery operations were then initiated, and his body was transported to Timberline Lodge. The Clackamas County Medical Examiner responded to the scene to assist with the investigation into the circumstances of the fall.

Authorities said Hostetler’s name was released after family notifications were completed. No further details about the cause of the fall or weather conditions at the time were immediately available, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office urged climbers to use caution when traveling in alpine environments and to ensure they are properly equipped and trained, particularly during winter conditions on Mount Hood, Oregon’s highest peak and a frequent destination for mountaineers.

Mount Hood has seen several serious climbing accidents in recent years, particularly in areas such as Devil’s Kitchen, where steep slopes, fumaroles and unstable snow and ice can create dangerous conditions even for experienced climbers.