Missing climbers

“Do they not have "out of bounds" areas where skiers are not allowed to go when the avalanch threat is elevated?”

“They have out of bounds areas where skiers will get fined if they are caught, regardless of the weather. The ski area doesn't have the manpower to patrol all the backcountry runs and ungroomed runs, so they make them off limits t all times. If you cross the tape that marks the boundaries and are caught, you will probably pay for the rescue, and get your season pass pulled.”

“is it possible that this thread could focus on the missing hikers and another separate thread to discuss when and when not to climb/mountaineer due to adverse conditions?

I just think we're getting off subject here and this is getting heated.”
EarthNsky

Though I think it is relevant, I will move this discussion over to the thread Nigal dredged up on paying for the rescue...”

“The true FACT is ,they had NO GPS or SOUND recovery.....but a cell.That IS A VERY POOR PLAN.”

“
Green line is Cooper Spur. Red line is left NF gully. Yellow line is right NF gully. Broad blue squiqqle area is the Eliot Glacier. Orangeish squiggle is the Snowdome.

the red dot near the summit indicates the area where the snowcaves were located. The snowcave where James was found was more the east and the snow cave where the gear was found was closer to the gullies.


and this posted on CNN.com
http://www.cnn.com/interactive/us/0612/map.climber.path/frameset.exclude.html
last edited: 12/19/06 5:35:14 PM”

“thanks Rosy, I do agree it is relavant.
last edited: 12/19/06 5:31:53 PM”

“For those who do not know Mt Hood:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/19/missing.climbers/index.html

This link contains a link to an excellent pop-up window showing the speculated path the guys took. Sorry but I found the above maps difficult to follow. I found this much easier.”

“Jesus #&%!$ing Christ! the Mountain was open. they climbed. They needed a rescue. Peeps died.

What is the #&%!$ing point arguing "should they close it if its too dangerous"?

Peeps have died falling off the boardwalk in Niagara Falls. Should they close the Falls?

People die walking into Death Valley or Grand Canyon in the summer, no? Should they close it when it's too hot?”

“Let's move the "should we rescue or not" dicussion over to the other thread,
http://thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/27653,5.php
guys and leave this one for the 2 left on the mountain...”

“and leave this one for the 2 left on the mountain...”
Mataharihiker
7:25:09 PM
12/19/06


RIP to the two dudes left. I'll drink to them tonight.”

“You got that, man.

Let the cold hearts prattle on, I'll drink to mountaineers..........volunteers and more beers.”

“i'll drink to them as well, bm. what a sad, sobering story. one more night... i fear they might be gone until the mtn gives them up.”

“The SAR people have got to be feeling it. This does not come easy. Feel for the families as well. I would not want to be on that avalanche team.”

“they'll enjoy the view forever!”

“Thanks for the photos and links, EarthNsky & Ramblinrev.

Even though I know the odds are strongly against these guys now, I can't help but hope that a miracle may somehow still happen.”

““they'll enjoy the view forever!”
EarthNsky

Good point!”

“It's unfortunate that Kelly may have simply had a dislocated shoulder. This is a common injury - anyone who does the type of mountaineering they are doing should have some wilderness medicine experience. If it's true - he could have reduced the shoulder back into place and continued with his descent. Albeit - it would have been difficult - but the shoulder would have been functional.

Who the hell is this KrazeJane person implying that she has "more sense that that" to be out there. Obviously, you are simply a lurker or sidewalk hiker and don't engage your environment like many of the rest of us. We all know the risks of our actions in the mountains and accept those risks.

Rob”

“It's easy to say what should or should not have been done. Much harder to do it at the time.


Unless there is a miracle and we find one or more of the climbers alive we will never know exactly what happened or why.

It's hard for someone who has never been there, to understand what happens under those conditions. Even rescue professionals, who often have been in very similar situations themselves, can't predict how someone will act.

Your exhausted, cold and wet. Not just tired, exhausted. Your mind is mush. You try your best to think straight but there is so much to think about...am I going to get out of this, how's my partner doing, will the weather get worse? How long will this last....how do I get warm, my fingers are turning white , will I loose them? You start shaking, will I get hypothermic? Damn, my buds...how about them. What the hell happened to the weather! It was suppose to be clear for 2 more days.

$hit, I'm soaked..Hey, you OK, oh yea, I lost my gloves...you seen them? We gotta get out of this wind...dig a cave. Come on man...help me.

I'm loosing it I think, can't feel my hands. Damn I'm getting soaked just digging...can't stop. I'll worry about it later.

What else am I suppose top be doing.....geez I'm thirsty, I'll get water when we're in the cave. I suppose I should eat something. Crap, my $hits blowing away...man that was close, almost got blown over. Gotta get out of this wind. Damn, Damn.

Caves not big enough...it's gotta do. Hey, you OK, look at me.....get on your pad, I'll melt some water. Damn, I cant hold on to anything....my fingers are frozen. God, I just want to go to sleep. OK, OK, I'll get the damn stove working. Hey get in your bag...OK, I'll help. #&%!$, kicked the stove over. Hey, you ok?? Get in your bag damnit.

Where's you pack???? What the fu*k do you mean you left it outside...ok, ok, sorry. Here eat this, found it in my pocket. I'll go out side and get the pack. Wheres your hat??? Here take mine.

Damn opening is filling up...gotta dig out...damn snow down my back...gotta do something, what? Oh yea, get the pack. $hit, the winds howling...my jacket is freezing, interesting. Is it still breathable when it's frozen...can't remember. Kinda neat out here actually...#&%!$, that was close. What the fu*k am I doing out here. I wonder if I'll lose my nose...does that happen often?

God I'm so tired. I can't feel my feet, thats good I suppose. I think I'm getting warmer...yea, thats good. Things aren't that bad. If I get a little sleep I'll be able to...what was I suppose to do? Oh yea, my buds in the cave...he's probably got the stove going now...I'll be able to get some water soon.

Yea, things are going to be fine. I'll just rest here for a second.

Thank God, I finally quit shivering....actually kinda warm now, nice.

Gee, I miss my wife, I'll see her soon, I remember when...........................................................
last edited: 12/19/06 10:47:10 PM”

“nature humors us, doesn't it?”

“Excellent Post mtnsteve!”

“indeed”

“been watching this along with the final episode of the new everest show. It's the risk, and these guys knew what was up. Heres to dying doing what you love, not waiting to be changed in a nursing home!

and F off all you lurkers who show up during a flame fest...provide some content during the rest of the year and then you can have a say so....tards.”

“So, I haven't posted here but have been reading this as well as closely following every bit of news on TV and Internet.

I keep thinking, there but for the grace of ?? go I. I remember last year, on December 31st there were a group of us on Shasta. You Winterfesters know who you are. The weather was turning on us rapidly. We could not shovel the snow off of our tents fast enough. The poles were in danger of snapping and we were running the risk of being trapped on the mountain (roads closing, etc). Some in our group did not have 4 season, blizzard condition gear. Finally, we made a group decision to bail out and get out of Dodge. I keep thinking as I was pulling my gear down the non existant trail made by the person 50 feet infront of me pulling a 75+lb sled (should of been a trail right? Not with that kind of dumping going on) 'Thank God Steve put that tape on the trees that we could follow and get out safely'. Needless to say, I believe we made the right decision that day. Thank you Steve and others for having the wisdom and strength to make that decision for me.

I have friends and family who really worry about me when I go outside. I like to hope I know when to bail. Unfortunately, while I went along with the decision to leave on that day, I certainly wasn't advocating leaving. If any of you wish to check out the weather we encountered while not Mt Hood, it was pretty fierce...check out the photos on my webshots. http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/533109002kHdnLb



I confess to having let it 'all hang out there' on occasion and been caught out lucky! My thoughts and prayers are with the survivors of this adventure gone awry. I certainly am rethinking some of my past actions and decisions while on the mountain.”

“Dang Sandyann, you were in some lovely $hit!”

“Yes...this only goes to show that even if you are prepared, with the right gear, the right 'qualifications', and the right intentions, the weather can still affect your plans. Just like these guys, we went in during bad weather.

I am still hoping that what happened back in the 70's can happen again now. We are up to twelve days. Those other guys made it for thirteen.”

“By the way, that is a great narrative, Steve.”

“CNN.com is reporting the SAR effort on Mt Hood is transitioning to recovery.

Sad ending.”

“That is a real shame.

Mtn Steve, that was disturbing. I'm sure it is pretty acurate, but wow. Scarry shtuff man.”

“AP reporting that the search has been called off.”

“drink to them, drink to their lives, you know they can't drink anymore.. drink to them, drink to their lives, you know they can't drink anymore.”

“The families of these guys will be in my thoughts and prayers....such a tragic loss.”

“So sad for their families. I hope that they did not suffer when they died... :-(

Thinkbubelz & I have yet to try winter camping-- but we definitely will not do it unless we are in the company of those who are more experienced!”

“I just heard that one is from 83rd st Bayridge Brooklyn :(
I go by there all the time because that is my area. Maybe I will go leave some flowers (if I can find the house)”

“Good thought, Mapleleaf.”