No One Found In Snow Cave On Mt. Hood

Seattle Times ^ | 12/17/06 | Joe Frazier

[OldFriend]

Somehow that man giving the report didn't quite seem credible.

[Battle Axe]

If they are now following footprints, doesn't that indicate that they are alive and making such prints SINCE the recent storm.

Storms will fill up prints in the snow within minutes.

[CT]

Snow cave they found was clearly on south side. Timberline Lodge is visible on clear day from near that location. Yet footprints indicate climber may have been headed higher (about 300 ft) to summit. Not logical, but some speculate the climbers would take same route back.

Trust me. The difference in gradient between north and south face is dramatic enough to make the choice clearly. South is best, and can be as little as a 3 hour hike down in optimal conditions. Optimal, however, is April - early September.

[OldFriend]

I'm trusting you. I know nothing about mountain climbing. The man just looked as tho we wasn't telling the whole truth.

[txrangerette]

They claim a sleeping bag was left behind in the cave. If that was the only sleeping bag whoever was in there had, that could be a sign of hypothermia, delirium or whatever, that they no longer were making rational decisions.

[johnny7]

Moonbat territory out there...

[Dallas59]

I think there's more to this story...Why climb an 11,000 foot mountain in December?

[Global2010]

Most popular words up here in the PNW this winter has been "hunkered down" LOL Us natives have been saying it quiet often even in our own daily lives.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Why on earth would they leave their equipment behind, particularly a sleeping bag?

[BallyBill]

I've been watching the updates on TV and it definitely seems like people know more than they are telling reporters.

Which I don't blame them for doing.

[txrangerette]

Why have other climbers done the same thing through the years? Was there more to their stories, too? Just wondering...

[roses of sharon]

I think it was a sleeping "pad", not a bag.

Very weird, on such a nice day you would think if they were alive, they could signal somehow.

Prayers to all.

[al baby]

so no global warming ?

[Halls]

because they are idiots and suicidal! Seriously, why climb a mountain like Hood when clearly the forecast was saying not good conditions to climb. Why climb this mountai in December when Christmas is around the corner? Why put your family though such stress during the holidays! This just makes no sense at all!

I also think is is strange that the snow cave was empty with a left behind sleeping bag. Not good IMO!

[alisasny]

It is not fair for the family members to have the media acting like this.

I told my kids that the family's are finding out info from the TV also. The rescuers and authorities have my respect for being cautious in what they are saying. The media once again are acting like idiots.

[umgud]

I have no doubt the the intensity of the weather ovewhelmed and surprised these climbers, but I also know that poor weather was predicted before they went up. Now we are spending millions to rescue them.

I'm angry with them, but pray for their safe recovery.

[taillightchaser]

I guess the tax payers are going to have to eat the bill for this operation. Seems like the" expert" mountaineers weren't so expert after all.
I'm getting tired of the people having to pay for people's stupidity.

[Global2010]

First thought that came to my mind about the sleeping bag left behind was when Mr. Kim started peeling off his clothes and leaving them behind....delirium.

[Mercat]

I guess that there is overtime but my husband says those guys are all technonerds and crisis junkies (good things in any society btw and not meant as a pejorative) and that they love using their equipment and training.