Woman rescued after falling 450 metres while climbing California’s Mount Shasta

A woman has fallen more than 450 metres while climbing a mountain.

The 31-year-old was visiting Mount Shasta in California as part of a group of three novice climbers.

In a statement shared on social media, the US Forest Service said she fell approximately 1500 vertical feet (457.2 metres) from about 13,000 feet to 11,500 feet before landing on the mountain.

They were contacted about 12pm on June 28, local time, about the terrifying incident.

Cloud cover made the rescue mission difficult and meant a helicopter was unable to reach the woman.

Instead, climbing rangers set off on foot to ascend the mountain and find the 31-year-old.

They were joined by a member of the victim’s climbing group, who had descended the mountain seeking help.

Another climber in the area joined to help the injured woman and assisted the group with her rescue.

Miraculously, the woman was found alive and well.

“The patient was found alert, in good spirits, and suffering from a suspected fractured right ankle along with additional injuries consistent with the significant fall,” the US Forest Service said.

After being lowered to a safe area, she was extracted from the mountain by a helicopter around 5.30pm and taken to hospital.

Mount Shasta is the fifth-highest peak in California, with an elevation of 14,179 feet.

The area which the woman and her group were visiting was called Avalanche Gulch.

The route is described as “steep and rigorous requiring crampons, a mountain axe, helmet, and basic snow travel skills” on the US Forest Service’s website.

The route includes a 7,000 foot vertical ascent which features “steep snow and ice, rock fall, and weather extremes”.