Local resident inducted into school’s Hall of Fame
In the 1970s, Dr. Cameron Bangs chose not to follow Timothy Leary’s mantra of “turn on, tune in, drop out.” Instead of embracing the individualistic ethos of the era that encouraged detachment from mainstream society, Bangs immersed himself in Oregon’s drug culture during the summer of love. At the Vortex rock concert, a state-sponsored event reminiscent of Woodstock, he established a revolutionary medical facility. Over the course of the festival, his team successfully treated 2,000 individuals experiencing adverse effects from LSD consumption, earning him a Guinness World Record for the largest number of bad LSD trips treated.
Bangs’s dedication did not stop there. He conducted groundbreaking research on frostbite and authored multiple books on the subject. His expertise in treating frostbite was put to the test during daring rescue missions in Oregon’s mountains, forests, and rivers. Amidst 55 perilous search and rescue operations, he displayed unparalleled courage and skill, solidifying his position as an expert in mountain rescue.
Recently, Bangs was honored as one of ten inductees into the Fourth Annual Fairhaven High School Hall of Fame. Clad in casual attire, the curly-haired silver fox from the class of 1955 exuded humility about his achievements. Following his pre-medical education at UMass-Amherst, Bangs ventured to Oregon in 1964 for a medical internship, initially intending it to be a brief adventure.
Despite his initial plans, Bangs extended his stay to complete a three-year residency. His love for skiing blossomed during this period, leading him to join the Mt. Hood Ski Patrol, where his expertise in mountain rescue flourished. In a dramatic turn of events in 1967, Bangs located four lost climbers at 10,000 feet on Mt. Hood, rescuing them from near death due to frostbite. Utilizing pioneering techniques, such as rapidly thawing frozen climbers, he earned acclaim as a frostbite treatment authority.
Bangs’s remarkable contributions extended beyond his medical feats. He played a pivotal role in providing medical care and support at the Vortex rock festival, attending to young individuals grappling with LSD-related issues. His compassionate approach not only helped ease their discomfort but also prevented overcrowding in local hospitals during the festival.
Moreover, Bangs’s dedication to combating drug abuse persisted over the years. While leading a fulfilling life on a farm and practicing medicine in Oregon, he directed an alternative school for children dealing with substance abuse problems. Through practical activities like sewing, ironing, and cooking, Bangs offered these children a new path, steering them away from addiction.
The impact of Bangs’s work transcends his immediate circle, as testified by his daughter and son, who attested to his unique approach to life. His son recounted his father’s heroic rescue missions, including saving survivors from a plane crash on Mount Jefferson. Despite his numerous accomplishments, Bangs remains humble, acknowledging that every mountain climbed is a journey from fear to triumph in the face of danger.
While he continues to pursue challenges at a slower pace today, Bangs’s legacy as a trailblazer in medicine and mountain rescue endures. From traversing the peaks of Oregon to skiing down the Mustagata peak in China, near the Afghanistan border, he embodies resilience and determination in overcoming obstacles. Dr. Cameron Bangs’s unwavering commitment to saving lives and his innovative approach to medicine have left an indelible mark on those he has touched.