You said -- "Why these guys took this risk is beyond belief. They fly in from Dallas and then ignore a huge storm coming their way and decide to make a quick trip. This defies all sensibilities and now we have to pay millions to go find them/bodies."
You ought to know that there are storms all winter long in Oregon, especially with the "Pineapple Express". It's nothing new. You get in and get out and do so between storms. Sometimes they come faster, sometimes slower. Sometimes they're worse than was counted on, sometimes they slink away. You never really know for sure.
I've been up on Mt. Hood and the weather can change in hours and you don't know it. Climbers do their best estimates and go for it when they see an opening. That's the way it works. Now, if they get caught because the weather was nastier and worse than counted on, that's just what happens.
No one is going to give up climbing Mt. Hood because of this. It will still go on as it has been going on since the late 1800s in Oregon.
You also said -- "Most likely they had this trip scheduled for months and were not going to let the weather, no matter how bad stop them. Foolhardy way to die. "
What's a foolhardy way to die? Climbing mountains, or coming to Oregon, or climbing Mt. Hood, or doing it in the winter, or living in Dallas?
Some people might think living in Oregon is a foolhardy way to die, being that people get killed out here for walking on trails or walking at the beach or going in fishing boats.
Regards,
Star Traveler
Save the lecture since I was born and raised here in Oregon.
These storms have been far more severe than the last few years and especially the one they were caught in. They were foolhardy to attempt that climb knowing they had a small window going up the most difficult face. That was foolhardy.
Now hundreds of people have to risk their lives for these guys thrill seeking.
Some of us are getting tired of the Katrina menatlity that people can live risky lives and the gummit has to make sure they are not hurt.
Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters