Posted on 12/20/2006 12:57:55 PM PST by areafiftyone
PORTLAND, Ore. - Rescue teams gave up any hope of finding two missing climbers alive on stormy Mount Hood and abandoned the frustrating, 9-day-old search Wednesday.
"We've done everything we can at this point," said Sheriff Joe Wampler.
Wampler said the men's families made the decision to end the search.
He said the operation is now a "recovery effort."
Three climbers in all were reported missing in the snow on Mount Hood on Dec. 11. One of them, 48-year-old Dallas landscape architect Kelly James, was found dead in a snow cave on Monday. Volunteers continued scouring the mountains for signs of James' climbing partners, Brian Hall, 37, and Jerry "Nikko" Cooke, 36. But climbing gear found on the peak suggested the two may have been swept to their deaths.
Wampler announced the end of the search after personally piloting a Piper Cub over the 11,239-foot mountain for new clues and finding none.
Even before the sheriff spoke, all of the volunteers had returned to regular lives and helicopters used in the search had returned to their bases.
Sheriff Calls Off Missing Climber Search
PORTLAND, Ore. - The search to find two missing climbers alive on Mount Hood is over and it has now become a "recovery effort," Sheriff Joe Wampler said Wednesday.
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"We've done everything we can at this point," Wampler said.
He made the remarks after personally piloting a Piper Cub over the 11,239-foot mountain for new clues. He found none.
His decision ends a dramatic nine-day search for three climbers who went missing on Mount Hood on Dec. 11.
One of three — Kelly James — was pulled out of a snow cave on Monday. For three days, the volunteers and helicopters scoured the mountain in hopes of locating signs of James' mountaineering partners — Brian Hall and Jerry "Nikko" Cooke.
But Wampler said searchers have given up hope of finding them alive.
Even before Wampler spoke, all of the volunteers had returned to their normal lives and helicopters used in the search had returned to their bases. <
Please do not alter article titles.
Expected...but still very sad. Thanks for posting 51.
It's a damned shame. I feel for the families. And I've never understood the draw to such activities. Even the successful admit to having been miserable during the climb and nobody is waiting at the top with a check. Is it for the thrill of it? Or for a feeling of accomplishment? Are those things rooted in the thrill of cheating death or the feeling of accomplishment that might come from the same? I just don't understand it. Then again, I've never climbed a snow capped mountain either.
Sorry I won't do it again. I tried to combine the two articles in one title.
I'm thankful none of the rescue teams were injured or killed. Too many times someone's thrill seeking has lead to such tragic endings for rescuers and their families.
Salute to the Search and Rescue teams; they really went beyond the extra mile. There is no chance the 2 other hikers are alive at this point. And even efforts at Recovery could be dangerous...
A sad end for the climbers and their families.
Very sad!
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