Couple Dies in Fall Off Mt. Hood

A married couple climbing on Mt. Hood fell 1,000 feet to their deaths just after they began their descent down the north side of the peak. The climbers, who were in their 20s, were linked together. One of them slipped and pulled the other about 9 a.m. as they were descending along the Cooper Spur route, officials said. Mountain rescue crews climbed to Eliot Glacier to retrieve the bodies, which were at the 8,800-foot level, authorities said. There were dozens of witnesses, and one used his cell phone to call for help. Mt. Hood is in the Cascade Mountain range and is 11,245 feet tall. It is about 60 miles east of Portland.