Surviving Mount Rainier climber evacuated

A seriously injured climber, in this image from video, who had been stranded on Mount Rainier in Washington is rescued Monday, May 17, 2004, as an Oregon National Guard helicopter takes advantage of a sudden break in the clouds to retrieve him. Peter Cooley, 39, of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, fell 30 feet early Saturday on Liberty Ridge, one of the most difficult routes up the 14,410-foot mountain. His climbing partner, Scott Richards, 42, also of Cape Elizabeth, was able to reach him, set up a tent, and call for help on a cell phone. (AP Photo/King-TV)

LONGMIRE, Wash. (AP) — A helicopter Tuesday evacuated Scott Richards, the surviving member of a pair of climbers who were stranded on Mount Rainier, the day after his severely injured companion died on a copter flight to a hospital.

Peter Cooley, 39, of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, died Monday evening en route to Madigan Army Medical Center near Tacoma, said Lee Taylor, Mount Rainier National Park spokeswoman.

Two climbing rangers had reached Cooley and Richards, 42, also of Cape Elizabeth, earlier Monday. Cooley had fallen on Saturday while the pair attempted to scale the peak by Liberty Ridge, one of the mountain's most difficult climbing routes.

Richards and the two rangers spent the night on the mountain, and a break in the weather allowed an Oregon National Guard Chinook helicopter to reach them at about 9:50 a.m., said Ranger Michael Larson. It brought Richards and rangers David Gottlieb and Chris Olson from their camp on the north side of the mountain to Kautz Creek, near the park's main entrance on the southwest side, Larson said.

Richards earlier was reported to be in good condition, but he was being evaluated and taken to park offices at nearby Longmire, he said.