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.
You said -- "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!"
You know..., the last time I went up there, I had to "really" talk a cousin into going up there, and then keep talking to keep them on the trail and not turn around. But, they were *certainly* getting way too tired -- and I had to grab onto their shirt with my hands to steady them, as you tend to stumble and weave, when you're that tired. There were portions of that trail that I was sure my cousin was going to stumble off the trail and down the slope. I could just envision in my mind, the rest of the family asking me why I let them tumble down the side. So, I kept a tight grip on them all the way up (in the appropriate places where it was steep and open on the trail).
Yeah, you can really hurt yourself there, if you're not careful. And that's the way it is in many places in the Pacific Northwest.
I remember one time going into one of the ice caves on Mt. Rainier (in the state of Washington). This was many years ago. And my family and I were walking along a rushing river of water, inside an ice cave, and our footing was on solid ice (no rails, rope or "edge" to the footing, separating it from the gushing river). I kept thinking how long I might be "on the mountain" encased in ice -- if my foot slipped and I went down into that rushing water. I figured they would find me about 1,000 years later (that was my best estimate), as I came out the other end of the glacier. That I might end up in a museum or something (like that ice-man in the Alps -- or wherever it was).
And these slips and footing problems and weather changes and so on, are all over the place in Oregon. You have to watch it. And that's why I think everyone there, in Oregon, understands the need for rescue teams like they've had on Mt. Hood these last few days. Things can happen, no matter how you try to take care.
Regards,
Star Traveler