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

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

[Nasty McPhilthy]

A trio of climbers, ascended Mount Hood, under adverse winter conditions — to test their survival skills. The intrepid climbers took gear such as food, fuel, bivvy sacks, a shovel and ropes. These men knew they were taking a big risk – or they would not have taken survival gear with them.

Mountain climbing is a sport for the wealthy who can afford to take weeks off from work to indulge in their expensive hobby.

These clowns have been missing for over a week, and the state is expending tens of thousands of dollars in search and resuce operations.

Why is the sheriff’s department and the U.S Forest Service rangers looking for these men who are addicted to danger?

The taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for the foolhardy thrill seekers who knew they were taking a big risk. The families of the climbers should pay for their own search teams; they shouldn’t expect the government to pay for the reckless chance the climbers took.

From USA Today:

“Deputy Gerry Tiffany, spokesman for the Hood River County sheriff’s office, said its office does not charge for its searches.”

I think it’s about time the government starts charging for rescue operations – when it’s a case of adventurers who place themselves in danger.

I’m sick of hearing about the missing climbers; I’m sick of watching the relatives of the missing men on TV praise the courage of the climbers, and I’m sick at the thought that taxpayers are paying for the rescue efforts.

[Man50D]

I suspect these same climbers would be the first to volunteer to go rescue someone else. I think the rescuers are by and large climbers. I think they are different from us.

All assumptions devoid of any facts. Whether they are different from anyone else or not is irrelevant. Their willingness to endanger other people's lives is the point.

I think fulfilling a life "thrill",,I would say "ambition" is not a bad thing.

You continue not to see the distinction between fulfilling an ambition by risking another person's safety and risking only your safety. I agree with fulfilling an ambition but I wouldn't do so by putting someone else's life in jeopardy.

[dljordan]

"I do however go to the mall during sales."

LOL! Isn't that kind of like All-Star wrestling?

[Man50D]

It is true the value of the climbers' lives is high, but is it high enough to cause the deaths of others?

Some posters on this thread don't see a problem with the the climbers irresponsible actions risking the lives of others.

[cajungirl]

Okey dokie,,I bow to your superior morality.

Can we leave it at that?

[cajungirl]

Thank the Lord we have a person of your moral sensibilities to show us the error of our ways.

Now would you please do something about fast drivers, fat people, careless smokers, slutty women, and other common nuisances.

[Palladin]

Anything further?

People just shouldn't go hiking up tall mountains in snowy weather. But I guess the riskiness is part of what motivates these adventurers.

Hope they are found safe.

[lawdude]

"Has anyone thought of the possibility (I offer no opinion) that perhaps these climbers decided to make themselves "missing" and have really not been in danger on the mountain?"

You are a mental midget and a tin-hat terrorist. Get a f'in life. POS

[Raebie]

The snow cave is located about 300 feet down from the summit on the north side. Rescuers descending towards it. If you have access to a TV, FOX has some amazing live video.

[NittanyLion]

If you have access to a TV, FOX has some amazing live video.

Yep - this video is awesome. My concern, though, is that the cave will only contain one of the climbers. Presumably this is the cave of the guy who spoke with his son via cellphone earlier this week, and stated that his two parters continued to descend to get help.

[Raebie]

Me too. They keep saying that it will be over in an hour or two...I'm afraid not.

[Polybius]

One of my relatives flies Search & Rescue with the military. It was something he volunteered for and something he loves to do ..... Polybius

Your comments only reinforce my point the difference between your relative and the climbers is your relative's altruistic motivation is necessary to save lives while the climbers self centered actions to fulfill a thrill is unnecessary and endangers others lives. .... Man50D

You need to understand that these rescuers are thrill seekers too. That is why they chose to be rescuers.

People often come up to me and tell me that I "saved their life" by picking up that early cancer on their mammogram or their CT. I seldom remember the case or their name.

When I "save a life" in the safety of my hospital, I get the "warm and fuzzies" for five minutes and then move on with the rest of my day.

By contrast, you should see my relative describing, with a smile on his face and a gleam in his eye, how he had to hold his helo close to the cliff face to lower his Corpsman to the injured climber while fighting the swirling updrafts caused by the cliff face.

When my relative "saves a life", the associated danger gives him a thrill that he relives every time he tells the story.

In regards to "necessary", right now he is back in Iraq flying other missions besides just SAR. The dangers faced while rescuing civilians in the U.S. are serving him well as he is used to being in sphincter-tightening situations.

If real life climbers in trouble did not exist, the military would just have to put themselves in dangerous situations to rescue plastic dummies.

[NittanyLion]

I think the first rescuer to descend is digging. He must be at the site.

[Raebie]

That's what it looks like. If that's the cave, I'm a little concerned that he's having to dig in and no one is coming out. Hope that's not the site.

[Star Traveler]

You said -- "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."

Thanks for the kind comments.

And..., I've wondered if sometimes -- geography -- plays a part in the "mindset" of the people in that particular place. It might cause people to feel and act in certain ways -- according to what that geography instills in you (having had to struggle or live with it in a certain way).

Being in big cities (which Portland is, sort-of) -- takes away some of that perception. But, at least in Portland, you drive about 15 miles and you're out in the country. Drive about an hour and you can be up on the mountain. Drive about an hour and a half or so -- and you could have been (back in "the day") on the side of Mt. St. Helens -- looking down at that Spirit Lake (which I've been).

So, I've been in Texas, Oklahoma and Oregon -- and they all seem to have a bit of a different mindset. I think geography might have a big part to play in it. I think so for Oregon.

Regards,
Star Traveler

[BurbankKarl]

Searchers: Ice cave on Mt. Hood is empty

[BurbankKarl]

HOOD RIVER, Ore. -- None of the three missing climbers on Mount Hood were found in a snow cave near the mountain's peak, authorities said Sunday.

Rescuers who reached the cave found a sleeping bag, ice axes and rope, said Sgt. Gerry Tiffany, spokesman for the Hood River County Sheriff's Office.

[mel]

I will hold my mourning also when I see those crosses to symbolize the AIDS death in the past year.

[Star Traveler]

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

[Charlespg]

I agree with fulfilling an ambition but I wouldn't do so by putting someone else's life in jeopardy.

not to mention the tax payers wallet

[mel]

Or Britney. ha ha.