Authorities say a Bellingham man who fell 60 feet while rock climbing in the Naches area is expected to recover from his injuries.

Yakima County sheriff's Sgt. Ed Levesque says the 29-year-old was climbing the face of a cliff Saturday when an anchor that he set pulled off the rock, causing his fall. He was airlifted to Yakima Regional Medical Center.

Levesque said Sunday that the climber was wearing safety equipment and a helmet when he fell.

The sheriff's office, Naches Fire, Yakima Fire and other agencies responded to the report at about 6:45 p.m. Saturday.

--The Associated Press