Posted on 05/31/2014 9:37:38 PM PDT by steve86
There is no chance of survival for six missing Mount Rainier climbers, officials say. The two guides and four clients from Seattle-based Alpine Ascents International were last heard from at 6 p.m. Wednesday by satellite phone.
Six climbers were killed in a 3,300-foot fall along the steep north slope of Mount Rainier, officials said Saturday, in the worst disaster on the mountain in more than three decades.
Searchers found tents and clothes, mixed with rock and ice, in a debris field along the Carbon Glacier at 9,500 feet, according to the National Park Service. The group’s climbing route, to Liberty Peak, is prone to slides and considered relatively difficult.
The six climbers — two guides and four clients from Seattle-based Alpine Ascents International — were last heard from at 6 p.m. Wednesday by satellite phone. At that time the party was at 12,800 feet with plans to camp overnight.
When they failed to return Friday as planned, the company contacted park rangers. Alpine Ascents is the company that lost five Sherpas at Mount Everest this spring.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.com ...
Fell or carried down by ice, snow and rock 3,300 feet. They are in pieces.
... I suppose all chained to each other. one goes, then all of the others.
is it typical for an effort to be made
to recover the bodies,
or are they just left there?
Almost every year we have at least one hiking or climbing death on that mountain.
Quite often, the victims have extensive experience, and have climbed or hiked all over the world.
Mt. Rainier is a seriously dangerous mountain.
They need to limit the height of mountains to 10,000 feet.
More people have died climbing mountains than nuclear power plant accidents in Western countries, and China, India, Australia. Why are the enviro crackpots not protesting mountain climbing?
*swack*
Thanks! I needed that!
You're right.
Men love doing dangerous things and challenging themselves, it’s exciting and invigorating.
Thank God there are enough of the risk lovers to fill our more high speed military units.
Mountain climbing is as dangerous... as it looks.
The question is whether these people were brave or just stupid?
You make a pretty good point, Steve, if it's about courage. I have zero clue as to the real mountain-climbing ethic, but if it's like some other high-risk pursuits whose ethic I do know, it's not about courage, it's about adrenalin. Granted, mountain climbing may be different. But there are a lot of folks just naturally driven to chase adrenalin, do seemingly risky things, fast machines, high seas fishing, motorcycles, super-fast airplanes, surfing, skateboarding, skydiving --
-- I don't think it's about courage. It's about the rush!
After you 15 putt the first hole, it is generally a good idea to ask the people behind you if they want to play through.
To me -- and I may be wrong -- but to me, they're not heroes, they're just adrenalin junkies who went out doing what they loved. It's okay by me! It's between each the climber and his Maker. Whether God frowned on them for squandering their lives or smiled on them for living what He gave them so fully and joyfully, is something I'm not privilege to.
Corny, I know, but at least they went out doing what they loved.
A high school and college friend of mine was killed on Ranier in 78 or so.
Bob Gaultney RIP....long time gone
Ole Miss Pike
I was at Ranier last September
Big mountain...biggest dome and prominence in lower 48 I think
Freepers really suck sometimes.
A real confederacy of nasty jackasses.
What percentage....who knows....
You just described about half the boys who post here.
The cat ladies are actually nicer to be fair.
It's interesting. I've got my PPL and I think you motorcycle guys are nuts, but then they just turn around and say the same about me.
“When you “challenge” nature, nature often wins.”
That’s why I stay in my house as much as possible. Nature, it just ain’t for me.
RIP to the lost in both events mentioned here.
“I’ll climb a bar stool and use a safety belt.”
LOL - meet you there!
Maybe we can round up a couple of Sherpas, those folks could probably use a drink.
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