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At least not during the winter weather season. It was ludicrous for them not to wait until at least late spring.

It's not possible to climb certain routes on Mt. Hood UNLESS it is ice/snow covered. This is because there is too much scree (small, loose rock). The men were training for Everest. Climbing Hood in the spring would not approximate conditions to be found on Everest. They wanted a REALLY tough climb in severe coditions to test their mettle.

They allowed themselves extra time to complete the climb, but someting happened to one of the climbers--not known what--and he could not continue. The other two built a snow cave and left him there, going on to get help. During the period of delay, bad weather moved in, stranding them all.

It's not possible to climb certain routes on Mt. Hood UNLESS it is ice/snow covered.

Obviously it wasn't possible for them to climb the route they chose.

The men were training for Everest. Climbing Hood in the spring would not approximate conditions to be found on Everest. They wanted a REALLY tough climb in severe coditions to test their mettle.

Then they should have trained at Everest. They should have realized the climb was not just about them. Climbers should be aware taking such needless risks endangers not only their own lives but the lives of those who have to rescue them. It is very selfish and egotistical to think only of their mettle and not the lives of others.

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Randita,

They wanted a REALLY tough climb in severe coditions to test their mettle.

Here's a great solution.

All of these Mt. Hood-Everest climbers are (relatively) wealthy folks, considering the great expense of their climbing gear, frequent travel expenses ...

and most of all, their (enviable) opportunity to take multiple two week vacations each year, while most of us wage-slaves (including Aerospace Mechanical Engineers) are limited to our two-week annual limits.

The solution ?

Have these wealthy folks (and their wealthy buddies at the American Alpine Club) to sign pre-climb contracts to pay for special insurance that pays the FULL SUM of any rescuse attempt.

Those costs would include paying the food, housing, fuel, medial expeses, equipment rentals) for the "small army" of folks required to rescus these glory-seeking moutaineering clowns.

The "rescue insurance" rates could be Seasonally Adjusted (summer vs. winter), and consider such fators as the Climbers' experience (etc).

I like it ...

Patton-at-Bastogne

"May God and His Angels Guard Your Sacred Throne, and May You Long Become It."

Shakespeare, Henry V, Act I, Scene II

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