[Breaking] 3 climbers fall on Hood; rescue effort underway

The Oregonian ^ | February 18, 2007

[jazusamo]

Rescuers have begun climbing Mount Hood in an effort to find and help three climbers who slipped over a ledge near Illumination Saddle shortly before noon today.

It's unknown how far down the mountain the climbers fell or how badly they are injured, said Jim Strovink, a spokesman for the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

Complicating the search: Snow and wind have created near-whiteout conditions.

The climbers, whose identities were not immediately available, were in a party of eight people, Strovink said. Emergency dispatchers received a cell phone call for help from someone in the party, which is thought to be at an elevation of about 8,300 feet.

The caller said the group lost sight of the three climbers who fell. They are not in communication with one another.

Each of the fallen climbers is equipped with a Mountain Locator Unit, which could help rescuers find them if the climbers are conscious and turn the units on.

Rescuers from American Medical Response and Portland Mountain Rescue began hiking up the slopes of the mountain about 1 p.m.

[stm]

Sad to say it but I'm afraid these people are popsicles already. You can't beat Mother Nature.

[GSlob]

Last time there were another 3 climbers on Mt Hood, and now again. The mountain ought to be demolished and used for filling New Orleans against future flooding.

[jazusamo]

With the weather it doesn't look good for them.

[Dallas59]

[Clara Lou]

Everyone who climbs should be required to carry life insurance. If they die, their loved ones have funeral money and a little left over.

[mtbopfuyn]

Prayers to them all, especially the rescue team who risk their lives for someone else's stupidity.

[stm]

When I was up at FT Lewis, no one in their right mind went up on that mountain in February, no one. Most of the roads were closed by the beginning of January anyway because the snowfall was so heavy. I don't wish to speak ill of these people but just what the hell were they thinking???

[pandoraou812]

I think they should have insurance to pay for the rescue efforts . Think of how much it costs the taxpayers when they have to go rescue these people. Not to mention the danger to the rescuers themselves. Prayers that all people involved are safe. ~P~

[Issaquahking]

Hey! Back off a bit. See post#6. Let them do what ever is they choose to do, just leave a bit of "body recovery money", in case it doesn't go quite as well as planned. Besides, we're not asking you to come to their rescue. There are a lot of qualified people who can gauge, and make efforts, weather dependent.

On top of that, it won't cost the public a dime, climbers, as a rule, do take care of their own.

[OldFriend]

Money to pay for the rescue attempt!

[llevrok]

Everyone who climbs should be required to carry life insurance and a transponder (at least in winter)

[GSlob]

Blessed are those without the sense of humor, for they shall be tickled.

[RightWhale]

used for filling New Orleans

Series? You know that gravel is profitable only when the haul distance is a few miles. There it is worth more than unrefined gold per yard. But trucking it to NO is so farfetched only the FedGov would even dream of it.

[bobby.223]

there were a few here during the last mt. hood rescue effort who tried to convince us NO taxpayer dollars were spent in that rescue attempt.

[GSlob]

See #13. Of course, not series.

[Tarheel]

Each of the fallen climbers is equipped with a Mountain Locator Unit, which could help rescuers find them if the climbers are conscious and turn the units on.

Is this like a GPS locator? Did the climbers who did not make it a couple of months ago have these things?

[Michael.SF.]

and a little left over.

Which should be applied to the agencies that attempted to rescue them.

[freedomlover]

used for filling New Orleans
Series? You know that gravel is profitable only when the haul distance is a few miles. There it is worth more than unrefined gold per yard. But trucking it to NO is so farfetched only the FedGov would even dream of it.

---

Frankly if we hired the laziest union thugs for this work, it would still be a great deal if the result was a 50% reduction in the graft out of NO.

[pandoraou812]

Really? I find that hard to believe. I saw the sheriff and deputies on tv and heard them talking about the rescues. I guess they were off duty and donating their time?? Shaking my head again...... I live on the NJ coast and the coast guard won't tow you in anymore for free unless it is a life threatening situation. They will tell you to call a boat towing company. I think if climbing is your hobby then you ought to pay for any effort that may be needed in your rescue but thats just IMO.