Body of Mount St. Helens Climber Found

The body of a veteran climber who fell 1,500 feet into the crater atop Mount St. Helens has been recovered after he spent more than a day in the snow. Clouds and wind had hampered efforts to reach Joseph Bohlig, 52, who was posing for a picture Monday on the rim of the dormant crater when a snow overhang gave way and he fell into the volcano.

"We're sorry that he's gone, that he didn't make it," said Richard Bohlig, the climber's 84-year-old father. "He was doing something he enjoyed very much. That's all I can say." Bohlig reached the summit with his friend after a four-hour hike. Bohlig took off his backpack and a layer of clothing, then decided to pose for pictures. He was backing up when the snow gave way and he fell. (More Mount St. Helens stories.)