REVEALED: Expert mountaineer, 42, who died on Washington state volcano SURVIVED 1,200ft fall into the crater by landing on avalanche snow - but died trying to climb out again

An experienced mountaineer initially survived a 1,200-foot fall from the peak of Mount St. Helens into an avalanche only to die while scrambling to climb out. 

The body of Roscoe 'Rocky' Shorey, 42, was found on March 29 after he plummeted into the hole when a shelf of snow he was standing on apparently broke.

After the chunk of snow tumbled down, Shorey tried to grip onto edge of the cornice - but he couldn't hold on and ended up being buried by snow.

Despite desperately trying to climb up the icy vertical wall surrounding him, the expert mountaineer didn't make it. 

He was wearing only snowboard boots, synthetic pants and a lightweight long-sleeve shirt, according to Oregon Live. 

Roscoe 'Rocky' Shorey, an experienced mountaineer, survived a 1,200-foot fall from the peak of Mount St. Helens into an avalanche only to die while scrambling to climb out

The body of Shorey, 42, was found on March 29 after he plummeted into the hole when a shelf of snow he was standing on apparently broke

Despite desperately trying to climb up the icy vertical wall surrounding him, the expert mountaineer didn't make it

The Washougal man's belongings, including his jacket, cellphone, SOS satellite device and backpack were all at the top of the crater that he fell from - where he was documenting his adventures just moments before. 

Shorey's friends and the mountaineering community were rocked by his sudden death.

Known for his love of adventure, friendships and dessert - his friends and family flocked to Facebook to share heartfelt tributes and pictures of them enjoying his favorite dessert... a Dairy Queen Blizzard.

The expedition that ultimately killed him was his 28th summit of the mountain.

He had previously accomplished a climb to the top of Mount Hood, a far more difficult challenge, more than 40 times. 

The adventurer had accomplished challenging climbs all across the world. 

His death was announced on March 30 and officials accompanied the tragic news with a warning to climbers to stay away from the edge of Mount St. Helens crater because cornices can randomly give way. 

The men who recovered his body identified that Shorey had survived his initial fall, but died during his attempt to escape.  

'He gave it everything he could to survive,' said Derek Langdon, who coordinated the operation to retrieve Shorey's body. 'We were all thinking, like, 'Who is this guy, who is this person?'

The avid outdoorsman was planning to snowboard off-piste down the mountain after his solo summit before falling to his death 

Shorey's friend Bret Barnum told KGW, 'In 42 years, that guy lived a hundred years of life easily... Every time we could go out, it was an adventure.' Langdon added: 'He almost made it to the top.'  

Barnum said that Shorey was more than a passionate climber, and the adrenaline junkie was also known to frequently sky-dive, scuba dive, heli-ski and volunteer for environmental clean-up efforts.  

His friend Barnum said that he became concerned for Shorey after he hadn't heard from him the day after his expedition, and frantically contacted others in the area as the climber was well known in the local mountaineering community.

'It's an extremely difficult time,' he said, noting that the experienced climber's death was a tragic accident and not due to carelessness. 

'The community as a whole, the metro area has lost a very, very caring individual who was not reckless, nor careless, and happened to fall upon some very bad luck that day. 

'The testament to his life is that he just lived it. He lived in his way. He did not live a dangerously. He lived it with prediction, with passion, with intention.' 

Shorey was a brand ambassador for Mountain House, a company providing outdoors meals, which paid tribute to him as a 'fearless adventurer' with a 'joyful heart' in a statement following his death. 

'The Mountain House community is devastated by his loss. We will remember him for his boundless energy, optimistic attitude, and genuine Aloha spirit,' the statement read. 

'He loved bagging new peaks, swimming in alpine lakes, making new friends and encouraging youth to get outside. 

'We know everyone who knew him will honor his memory by exploring and welcoming others into the outdoor community. He was a true friend and will be missed by all.' 

As well as mountaineering, the adrenaline junkie was also known to frequently sky-dive, scuba dive, heli-ski and volunteer for environmental clean-up efforts

 Shorey was a brand ambassador for Mountain House, a company providing outdoors meals, which paid tribute to him as a 'fearless adventurer' with a 'joyful heart'

Friend Justin Fields added in a Facebook post that although he only knew Shorey for two years, 'I have never met anyone like him.' 

'He was an extremely kind soul, a child of the Hawaiian Islands with unbelievable health and vigor that kept him busy and traveling all the time,' he said. 

'Rocky never met an eating challenge he couldn't complete!! He could eat 4 large pizzas to any one of mine, and I just loved that about him, it cracked me up every time. 

'He could throw back a few ciders, but he had zero vices. Most of all, I knew him as an excellent listener, who was kind and patient beyond his 42 years.

'I am truly comforted by the fact that he died doing exactly what he loved. Damn, I bet that sunrise was incredible, Rocky! I'm glad you got to see it man. Godspeed, and A Hui Hou, Brother.'