Our Portland TV stations are naturally covering this 24/7. I feel really bad for these climbers and for their families, but the media has indeed turned this into a circus, thrusting microphones and cameras into the faces of the anguished moms.
One of the mothers made a comment that floored me: "The mountain has to give us back our sons - the mountain has no right to keep our sons." One of the other mothers said, "I know he's coming down today - it's my birthday, and he wouldn't miss my birthday". The third mother said something to the effect of "I saw the moon last night, and I know he was looking at the same moon as I was". Geez...it's just getting totally goofy.
One of the wives said "As soon as they get off this mountain they will be planning their next trip up"
Of course I feel bad for them too. If that were a member of my family I would be EMBARRASSED!