[surfer]

It is true that James Kim made some mistakes. But many things went wrong before and after the Kim family went missing.

Please take the time and read the article in its entirety before posting a response. This article really opens your eyes.

What we all take away from this tragedy is very important. In the future what we have learned from this may save someone else.

[paulat]

Thanks, surfer...the screw-ups made my blood boil...but there sure were some never-give-up heroes, too!

I'll be pinging this today!

[snarks_when_bored]

The most fundamental mistake the Kims made was not having taken seriously enough the dangers involved in driving through unfamiliar mountains in snowy weather after nightfall. They're lucky only James died.

[NittanyLion]

Great details on the case. What really stands out, though, is the power of individuals acting in their own best interests who have detailed knowledge of their particular field. The lodge owner, the cell phone engineer, the helicopter pilot, the Kim's sister...the list goes on and on.

It really shows that if your family member is the one at risk you can't just rely on the authorities to conduct the investigation. Without the involvement of private citizens it's likely the Kims still wouldn't be found.

[tioga]

Very sad. Sounds like a close knit family who love one another. Thank God for the family and volunteers....without them they would have all died on that mountain.

[1rudeboy]

Somebody help me out here: did Mr. Kim try to follow the road back out and lost his way, or did he try to hike cross-country?

[meyer]

"A Portland hotel where the family had stayed refused to provide credit card records that might have indicated which way the Kims had gone."

And this is bad because....

Careful what you wish for. While the credit records may have helped here, there are plenty of good reasons why such documents should NOT be freely given to the government.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

I saw the chopper pilot who found the car based on his hunch and actual knowledge of the area. It is simply incredible that those responsible early on were unaware of the dead-end logging road and it's history of confusing people.

[daybreakcoming]

There are many things to be learned. For myself - though I will mostly be traveling I-5, I will carrying things that I would not have before this tragedy - even as we go into the mountains accompanied by locals.

And I certainly would like to know the hotel that refused to give info about a missing family.

[bray]

James Kim made the main mistake. There is no way I would go over that pass in anything other than summer. That pass has claimed numerous people. It is nothing more than a paved wagon track over killer canyons.

Second guessing the searchers while excusing the driver serves no purpose.

Pray for W and Our Troops

[abner]

Marking for later.

[Locomotive Breath]

I don't know if anyone posted this yet but it gives a really clear illustration of the topography and the paths taken by Kim and his family.

http://www.layoutscene.com/james-kim-path/index.html

Unfortunately most of the pictures are using the original incorrect location of the Kim family car.