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Posted on 12/19/2006 3:17:39 PM PST by george76
It starts with mumbling and stumbling. Then come violent shivers and then, paradoxically, a false sense of warmth that makes some people strip their clothes off.
Eventually, they may curl into a fetal position as their muscles go rigid, their skin goes waxy, and the heart slows down, then stops.
Whether two climbers missing on Mount Hood for more than a week are still alive is not clear.
But if they are somehow still hanging on in the brutal cold and howling winds, perhaps hunkered down in a snow cave, they may be going through what veteran climbers say is a slow, dispiriting assault on both mind and body.
"We are approaching that time when we have to make serious consideration whether we are spinning our wheels," said Sheriff Joe Wampler, who is overseeing the search-and-rescue.
It was unclear whether they were swept off the mountain by 100 mph winds, were buried in last week's blizzards or created a shelter for themselves by burrowing into the snow and sharing their body heat, as climbers are trained to do.
But hopes of finding them alive dimmed after officials developed film in a disposable camera found in James' pocket.
The pictures, taken as the men began their ascent, show the three had enough gear and provisions for a quick climb up Mount Hood but not for a longer period out in the elements.
The photos show "three happy guys putting their stuff out there," the sheriff said.
But "looking what they had with them, I'm pretty concerned about how long somebody can last out there."
soon hypothermia sets in, and the symptoms include confusion, delirium, hopelessness, loss of coordination and intense shivering.
"The shivering is agony,"...
"Once the shivering stops, they have lost the ability to fend for themselves."
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
The blood begins to lose oxygen and thicken, just as a car's oil congeals in frigid temperatures....
Dehydration can contribute to the effects of hypothermia, and swallowing snow or ice only lowers the body's temperature.
Memo to self: Don't climb notoriously deadly Mt. Hood in 100 mile per hour blizzards.
There is a nice choice of golf courses and resorts nearby.
Add the effects of the altitude and you have precious little chance of surviving. I suspect the resucers all know this is a recovery situation now.
they are dead and I think it is time for the family for the family to realize that. I know they don't want to give up hope, I couldn't do that myself. But the likelyhood of them being alive are slim to none!
I hope that the recovery operation is careful so more people do not die.
Based on what the sheriff saw : miminal packs and winter gear...for a quick trip.
It does not look good.
CNN reported this afternoon, that the sheriff was escorting the family in a plane over the areas of concern. I think today was the end of the formal search, until someone stumbles over them. Or they could be in the bottom of a crevice.
I think today was the end of the formal search...
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Very sad holiday season for several families as far as Oregon is concerned...thoughts and prayers out to all of them.
We are all so lucky to be enjoying Christmas!
If you disregard your note to self, always carry a GPS to locate your body!
Pray for W and Our Troops
Yep. A lot of climbers on Mt. Hood carry the locator beacons. Small investment in hindsight.
Amazingly, I re-read To Light a Fire several weeks ago. Better get checked for latent ESP, dude!
WOW! That really is wild!
You pay a fee, and if you don't return the GPS your credit card gets double the price added to your bill.
In the event of a mishap you could at least be found, dead or alive.
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