Undersheriff Dave Cox says a helicopter that does contract work for the U.S. Geological Survey spotted the climber on a steep slope near the bottom of the crater but was unable to pick him up because of high winds and whiteout conditions.
Cox says a Coast Guard rescue helicopter has been called, but it's uncertain if the climber can be rescued before dark. A ground rescue team is being organized.
The sheriff's office says the climber's condition is unknown but he's blowing a rescue whistle.
