Body of NJ Climber on Mt.Hood Recovered

Climbers have recovered the body of a Newark man who fell to his death on Mount Hood, and they plan to bring it down Wednesday.

The recovery climb was delayed until temperatures on the mountain fell, hardening the ice and reducing the risk of loose rocks or an avalanche.

Authorities say 57-year-old Robert Cormier, a Catholic priest from Jersey City, reached the summit of the 11,240-foot peak east of Portland on May 13. Then he was seen falling through a ledge of ice and tumbling about 1,000 feet.

The Hood River County sheriff's department said two teams of climbers set out about 1 a.m. Wednesday on an operation considered "very dangerous," but safer this week than last.

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