Posted on 12/17/2006 7:53:05 AM PST by george76
Fervent hopes and a brief break in the weather brought no satisfaction to relatives and friends of three climbers missing on the dangerous north side of Mount Hood.
The clear, cold morning turned foul by midday Saturday, before searchers on two sides of the mountain and helicopter crews retired for the night because of weather and darkness, finding no trace of the three men.
The Hood River County sheriff's office, a lead agency in the search, said efforts would continue Sunday.
On Saturday, a C-130 with infrared heat-seeking capability from the Nevada Air National Guard took to the skies over Mount Hood for a second day and was to continue around the clock with alternating crews.
After that, "we'll have to see," said Sheriff Joe Wampler.
Cold also hobbled rescue efforts, as some searchers on the north side had to come down because of facial frostbite.
The temporary weather break paved the way for the biggest push yet since the three men, two Texans and a New Yorker, were reported missing a week ago Sunday on what was to have been a quick climb of the 11,239-foot peak.
Ground searchers reported visibility as low as 20 feet as 50 mph winds kicked soft snow into a near-whiteout mist.
"It wasn't quite the dream picture we had hoped for today. But there is the chance tomorrow...
Before dawn, 25 rescue mountaineers began making their way up the south side and another 30 started from the north side, Wampler said. Both teams started at about 6,000 feet.
"I know my son's coming down today," said Lou Ann Cameron of Bryant, Ark., mother of Kelly James...
"It's my birthday. He wouldn't miss my birthday," ...
"The mountain has no right to keep our sons."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
sw
300 ft from cave to summit.
That's some good speculatin'!
That's a possibility. Wish we knew how many sets of prints were heading up. If it's three, that's certainly much more positive than one...
teams are leaving mountain in 1 hour and 15 minutes. Another day gone.
Who knows..
sw
sw
Basic cell in Alaska (on McKinley) works to about 10,000', satellite offers a lot more, but thought in a populated area, regular cell might work.
Leaving ice axes and sleeping bags behind ( if accurate ) would not be my choice.
I spent over 30 years in the Coast Guard. Too often our people had to go out on searches because of the ineptness or plain stupidity of those in distress. We once lost three men from a four man crew trying to find and rescue a Navy officer in a sailboat with his girlfriend...he had a wife ashore.
Our helo actually had to fly over the location where our boat was lost and the crew in the water to find and save the Navy officer and his squeeze. Unfortunately, if there are people in trouble you have to go out...you don't have to come back.
I've never seen the movie "The Perfect Storm" and never will.
Good lord. I just don't get it! They HAVE to know rescue teams are looking for them!
Wouldn't be mine either......but then again, I wouldn't be on top of a mountain for all the tea in China.
I've been running up and down stairs...from computer to TV.
The pictures are awe inspiring...just wish they could be found!
Odd they didn't find a note.
They HAVE to know rescue teams are looking for them!
You're right. My son called me from the top of Mt. Rainier. He was elated and the transmission was clear as a bell. I thank God that he gave up climbing last year..........family and business pressures.
I pray for these young men and those who love them.
just wish they could be found!
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