The following text appeared in the September 2, 1983, edition of the Daily Herald
Mt. Timpanogos Can Be a Killer
Pat Christian
Herald Staff Writer
“It was just a battle zone up there on Mt. Timpanogos. That upper snowfield is just like broken glass that’s one of the things that is tearing people up there – like the man whose elbow was chewed right down to the muscle .”
Wayne Kearney, leader of the Timpanogos Emergency Response Team (TERT) was describing the scene last weekend on the eastern slopes of Mt. Timpanogos where several hikers were injured in separate accidents.
Some victims were rescued by helicopter.
TERT, a group of volunteer mountaineer rescue and medical specialists station themselves on the mountain and wait for cries of help. They camp at Pika Cirque near the Hidden Lakes area Friday evening through Sunday evening.
“It was so bad last weekend that one observer said TERT camp looked like M*A*S*H 4077. And I have to admit it did look like a high altitude hospital,” Kearney said.
The experienced mountaineer says he fears that this weekvsomeone could be killed.
He advises those planning to climb or hike the mountain to be properly dressed and equipped. He said even this late in the year temperatures can drop low enough where hypothermia can injure or kill.
He also warns on the danger of sliding down the steep snowfields where most of those injured last week fell victim.
