Posted on 12/17/2006 7:53:05 AM PST by george76
I remember a few year back up in the Smokey's a grade school class was on a field trip. Thy were actually down in a low valley in a creek basin with 5000Ft mountains above. One kid who had an amateur License brought his VHF hand held. A classmate fell in the creek and drown. The boy despite the terrain was able to summon help. They were 2.5 miles down trail even from the parking lot where they began the hike.
These photos tell me they are there as far as air is concerned. All they got to do is get the search crews on the ground.
There must be alot of noise from the birds above.
A willing and able rescuee should be out of the cave today in the sunlight ( hopefully with a mirror, etc. ).
This is what I have read about the items seen from the air...
Rescue official also said Sunday that air search teams had spotted some "positive" signs that are helping them narrow their search to specific areas on the mountain.
Capt. Christopher Bernard, of the Air Force Reserve's 304th Rescue Squadron, wouldn't say exactly what was spotted, other than it is "climbing specific."
Search teams are headed to those areas where indicators where found.
"We found some very positive things up there, and that's what we have to look into," said Sgt. Sean Collinson of the Clackamas County sheriff's office. "But again, it's just determining whether we can get to see these things close up and to do it safely...
"In the next few hours, I would expect some major developments. But until that time, we just have to go with what we have right now."
How did you come up with - this does not look good...is there another piece of information I am missing?
Thanks...
BREAKING NEWS: Searchers find signs of one of the climbers
A helicopter surveying the Mount Hood summit this morning has captured images of what appears to be a snow cave, scattered equipment and what looks like frozen tracks in the snow.
Search organizers plan to airlift pararescuers to the summit by helicopter so they can make their way to the area by foot.
oregonlive.com
Even at the base location for the presser today they had to stop for a while from all the noise of the aircraft...it must be really loud up there...
Great find...that is some positive news!!!
Simply experience my family has conveyed to me. If you had read my prior post you would know they are familiar with that area.
Common sense tells us that even though planes and choppers have been flying round about, there has yet to be a time when these guys have come out and acted like they were eager to be rescued. This leaves us with only a couple choices. Either they are unable to come out or are dead.
Sorry...but I cant make it any more clear.
What is the reasonable working elevation ceilings on these helicopters ?
Loaded with resucers, equipment, fuel, etc...?
it must be really loud up there...
I don't know, but we should be hearing something soon.
Highest rescue with a chopper was from the top of McKinley. Depends on the birds they have.
Thanks.
I saw the video a few years ago at Mt Hood of the rescue helicopter that crashed. It looked like was working real hard to lift off mid- mountain.
Years ago, my cousin died climbing one of the western peaks under similar circumstances; turned his back on the weather.
sorry for your loss...you must know what this family is going through!
Sorry for your cousin. Weather has driven me off many a peak.
What about Chinook's working elevation ( loaded with people and equipment ) ?
BREAKING NEWS: Searchers find signs of climbers
A helicopter surveying the Mount Hood summit this morning has captured images of what appears to be a snow cave, scattered equipment and what looks like frozen tracks in the snow, according to veteran climber and Hood River Crag Rat search and rescue member Bill Pattison.
At noon a Chinook helicopter staffed with parajumpers and medics was en route to the area where a possible snow cave has been sited along with scattered equipment and tracks in the snow.
The area is at the 11,000-foot elevation, said Marc Smith, a deputy with the Hood River County Sheriffs Office. He said little else is known about the siting, including how fresh the tracks are and whether it appears to be the tracks of one person or more.
Waiting for a presser coming up at kgw.com
presser starting now.
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