I’m Tired Of Hearing About The Missing Mt. Hood Climbers

MND ^ | December 17, 2006 | By Robert Paul Reyes

[cajungirl]

He missed the point.

THE RESCUERS ARE CLIMBERS TOO,,HOW ELSE COULD THEY CLIMB UP THERE TO RESCUE!!

[randita]

At Timberline lodge they offer GPS trackers for rent and recomend all climbers to carry them. Don't know why these experts didn't have them.

I assume you're referring to Mountain Locater Units. Mountain Locater Units of the kind offered for rent do not use GPS. They are similar to bear collars - the signal is just picked up by a land based receiver. There is dissention in how effective the MLU's are in certain situations and ranges. The best help to everyone would be cellular phone towers within range of all parts of the mountain, but there are many sections on the mountain that don't have cell coverage.

[stormer]

As I've read through this post I've appreciated your comments. I'm a native Oregonian (although now living in Washington) and I got to say, the flatlanders on this thread just don't get it. Most of them have probably never been to the top of something they couldn't drive up, and they never will.

A friend of mine is a serious climber (like these guys), he just got back from sabbatical in northern Pakistan where he and his family did some climbing. He's got a seven year old who has summited 7 peaks over 22,000 feet (and the Rainier over a dozen times), if that doesn't teach you something about fortitude, courage, planning, hard work, you name it, I don't know what does.

Furthermore, winter is the best time to climb; much less danger from avalanche. And anybody who's been in the alpine (and I'm not talking "The Sound of Music" version) knows the weather can change in a heartbeat. These guys are experienced and prepared - I hope they're OK.

[Nasty McPhilthy]

How 'bout a membership supported service for climbers similiar to that which so many off-shore boaters rely on in times of need.


Sea Tow Services International, Inc.—Your Road Service at Sea®—is the international leader in the marine assistance industry. With franchise locations through out the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Jamaica. Sea Tow's members are backed by 24-hour service regardless of where they travel.

Sea Tow Services International is dedicated to providing members with a variety of on-water services, including multiple area towing, jump starts, covered ungroundings, fuel drops and more.


Stay safe, Grandpa.

[stormer]

Good point. What do you think the rescuers do when they're not rescuing someone? They're climbing.

[randita]

I think it would be safe to say that if the rescuers had made 'radio' contact we would a) have heard about and b) have a more certain idea of where the climbers are and c) their condition.

Did you read or hear SPECIFIC factual mention of the lack of a two way radio?

There have been a lot of mistaken assumptions made about this from the start, including that the climbers didn't have adequate gear, when it was found later in a note they wrote that they WERE carrying the appropriate gear.

I am interested in facts, not conjecture.

[Grampa Dave]

We pay for AAA towing and emergency services. Our Lexus and Honda Ridgeline both have towing and emergency services as part of the warranty and extended warranty packages.

We don't expect anyone to pay for our towing and emergency costs if we come up short on an adventure.

I believe our older son is a member of the Sea Tow organization to ensure that he and his boat get towed back from a misadventure in the Delta or ocean.

[cajungirl]

I think you are right about flatlanders. You people who live out there, including the ones who climb, ski, trek, are different from us.

I have been impressed by the ethic amongst people who do this kind of thing. You see the same thing when someone is lost in a swamp here,,everybody with a boat or dingy is out looking.

I think some are wired to do adventurous things, and the same people are wired to "rescue". The rest of us just get to watch.

Except for the jackels of the press,,they turn an ordinary even into a soap opera. I really wouldn't life a finger to rescue those guys. But a true rescuer would.

[harrowup]

Ludicrous! The men were starting to train for Everest. They were accomplished mountaineers and would never unnecessarily subject fellow mountaineers atempting rescue to risk for some publicity.

Oh...my......sides.

[cornfedcowboy]

We would if they were playing football on a mountain in a snowstorm. Some times others logic escapes me.

[BurbankKarl]

East Coast Bias! Wettest winter in history...lets go hiking between storms, Bob!

[_Jim]

Here's what happen when you have a REAL radio, not this cell-phone consumer stuff:

An actual rescue involving victims with a radio! This is how things WORK when the victims can TALK directly with the SAR teams.

Now, I can tell you have zero experience involving deducing the known 'facts' of situation from thin, paltry, scattered news reports so you will just have to take someones elses's word, like mine, on this matter ...

[Gaffer]

It's a nasty tone for sure brought on by fret from the media and nothing else newsworthy. I cannot help to think the technology manpower and assets being used presently to search for them could have been used to patrol our open border to the south which would have a very positive effect.

I also hope one of the rescue helicopters doesn't run into trouble looking for them. It is true the value of the climbers' lives is high, but is it high enough to cause the deaths of others? I hope the potential rescuers are safe and the climbers are also safe, foolish as their climb might have been.

[cowtowney]

"We could talk about Miss USA losing her crown then."

ROFLOL

[cowtowney]

"Here's some breaking news - Franco is still dead."

... and I didn't even know he was sick!

[BurbankKarl]

I think getting on 121.500 would be very expedient in getting attention of overhead aicraft to let them know you are in trouble. There are probably 100+ flights a day over Mt Hood.

[Raebie]

Sunday, December 17, 2006

BREAKING NEWS: Searchers find signs of climbers
A helicopter surveying the Mount Hood summit this morning has captured images of what appears to be a snow cave, scattered equipment and what looks like frozen tracks in the snow.

Search organizers plan to airlift pararescuers to the summit by helicopter so they can make their way to the area by foot.

http://www.oregonlive.com/newslogs/oregonian/index.ssf?/mtlogs/olive_oregonian_news/archives/2006_12.html#216538

[Nasty McPhilthy]

Great News!

[derllak]

That climb up Multnomah falls is a scary one. I've done it twice. I'm always amazed at the amount of people climbing that trail. People with little kids and strollers and it's very steep in places and sometimes you've gotta squish yourself off to the side and hold your breath for people to get by. Beautiful once you make it up there though!
I hope these climbers are alright. I still have hope for them.
Just because they're thrill-seekers, doesn't make them stupid.

[laconic]

Well, I didn't watch with rapt interest the Runaway Bride, either. But I do know that now whe's trying to market her made up "experience" as a made for TV movie. Just because one is skeptical of some of these boo-hoo stories doesn't make them or their reactions "twisted".