Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

6 climbers dead on Mount Rainier
The Seattle Times ^ | May 31, 2014 | CORAL GARNICK, et. al.

Posted on 05/31/2014 9:37:38 PM PDT by steve86

There is no chance of survival for six missing Mount Rainier climbers, officials say. The two guides and four clients from Seattle-based Alpine Ascents International were last heard from at 6 p.m. Wednesday by satellite phone.

Six climbers were killed in a 3,300-foot fall along the steep north slope of Mount Rainier, officials said Saturday, in the worst disaster on the mountain in more than three decades.

Searchers found tents and clothes, mixed with rock and ice, in a debris field along the Carbon Glacier at 9,500 feet, according to the National Park Service. The group’s climbing route, to Liberty Peak, is prone to slides and considered relatively difficult.

The six climbers — two guides and four clients from Seattle-based Alpine Ascents International — were last heard from at 6 p.m. Wednesday by satellite phone. At that time the party was at 12,800 feet with plans to camp overnight.

When they failed to return Friday as planned, the company contacted park rangers. Alpine Ascents is the company that lost five Sherpas at Mount Everest this spring.

(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Oregon; US: Washington
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-85 next last
To: BunnySlippers

Fell or carried down by ice, snow and rock 3,300 feet. They are in pieces.


21 posted on 05/31/2014 11:12:05 PM PDT by minnesota_bound
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: minnesota_bound

... I suppose all chained to each other. one goes, then all of the others.


22 posted on 05/31/2014 11:15:34 PM PDT by BunnySlippers (I LOVE BULL MARKETS . . .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: steve86

is it typical for an effort to be made
to recover the bodies,

or are they just left there?


23 posted on 05/31/2014 11:23:30 PM PDT by RockyTx
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: steve86

Almost every year we have at least one hiking or climbing death on that mountain.

Quite often, the victims have extensive experience, and have climbed or hiked all over the world.

Mt. Rainier is a seriously dangerous mountain.


24 posted on 05/31/2014 11:28:40 PM PDT by zeestephen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: steve86
At that time the party was at 12,800 feet with plans to camp overnight.

They need to limit the height of mountains to 10,000 feet.

25 posted on 05/31/2014 11:44:37 PM PDT by P-Marlowe (There can be no Victory without a fight and no battle without wounds)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: steel_resolve
"Chill out guys - climbing mountains is for anyone with courage and a little crazy. Tragic accident."

I was perhaps the one who expressed the most contempt. There are empty calories, and there is empty courage - courage that accomplishes nothing. I used to buy into the macho mountain climbing ethic, but no more. I do not worship egos. If someone dies mountain climbing, too bad, but I have no reason to regard their death as any more important than the death of an average person in a retirement home. Mountain climbers are NOT heroes.
26 posted on 05/31/2014 11:46:08 PM PDT by Steve_Seattle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: steve86
See here to read about how the climb goes on that ridge. Full pics.


27 posted on 05/31/2014 11:49:45 PM PDT by MaxMax (Pay Attention and you'll be pissed off too! FIRE BOEHNER, NOW!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: P-Marlowe

More people have died climbing mountains than nuclear power plant accidents in Western countries, and China, India, Australia. Why are the enviro crackpots not protesting mountain climbing?


28 posted on 05/31/2014 11:50:52 PM PDT by entropy12 (Harry Reid will not allow debate on any good bills passed by House. GOP needs 51 senators in 2014!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: steel_resolve
Chill out guys - climbing mountains is for anyone with courage and a little crazy. Tragic accident.

*swack*

Thanks! I needed that!

You're right.

29 posted on 05/31/2014 11:53:05 PM PDT by Finny (Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. -- Psalm 119:105)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: steel_resolve

Men love doing dangerous things and challenging themselves, it’s exciting and invigorating.

Thank God there are enough of the risk lovers to fill our more high speed military units.


30 posted on 05/31/2014 11:59:38 PM PDT by ansel12 ((Ted Cruz and Mike Lee-both of whom sit on the Senate Judiciary Comm as Ginsberg's importance fades)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: entropy12

Mountain climbing is as dangerous... as it looks.

The question is whether these people were brave or just stupid?


31 posted on 06/01/2014 12:00:06 AM PDT by P-Marlowe (There can be no Victory without a fight and no battle without wounds)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Steve_Seattle; steel_resolve
There are empty calories, and there is empty courage - courage that accomplishes nothing. I used to buy into the macho mountain climbing ethic ...

You make a pretty good point, Steve, if it's about courage. I have zero clue as to the real mountain-climbing ethic, but if it's like some other high-risk pursuits whose ethic I do know, it's not about courage, it's about adrenalin. Granted, mountain climbing may be different. But there are a lot of folks just naturally driven to chase adrenalin, do seemingly risky things, fast machines, high seas fishing, motorcycles, super-fast airplanes, surfing, skateboarding, skydiving --

-- I don't think it's about courage. It's about the rush!

32 posted on 06/01/2014 12:01:54 AM PDT by Finny (Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. -- Psalm 119:105)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: llevrok
I have a friend who has been hit 3 times by stray golf balls in that genteel of sports.

After you 15 putt the first hole, it is generally a good idea to ask the people behind you if they want to play through.

33 posted on 06/01/2014 12:03:28 AM PDT by P-Marlowe (There can be no Victory without a fight and no battle without wounds)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Steve_Seattle
I happen to agree in essentials: If someone dies mountain climbing, too bad, but I have no reason to regard their death as any more important than the death of an average person in a retirement home. Mountain climbers are NOT heroes.

To me -- and I may be wrong -- but to me, they're not heroes, they're just adrenalin junkies who went out doing what they loved. It's okay by me! It's between each the climber and his Maker. Whether God frowned on them for squandering their lives or smiled on them for living what He gave them so fully and joyfully, is something I'm not privilege to.

Corny, I know, but at least they went out doing what they loved.

34 posted on 06/01/2014 12:08:34 AM PDT by Finny (Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. -- Psalm 119:105)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: steve86

A high school and college friend of mine was killed on Ranier in 78 or so.

Bob Gaultney RIP....long time gone

Ole Miss Pike

I was at Ranier last September

Big mountain...biggest dome and prominence in lower 48 I think


35 posted on 06/01/2014 12:23:12 AM PDT by wardaddy (we will not take back our way of life through peaceful means.....i have 5 kids....i fear for them)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: steve86

Freepers really suck sometimes.

A real confederacy of nasty jackasses.

What percentage....who knows....


36 posted on 06/01/2014 12:25:01 AM PDT by wardaddy (we will not take back our way of life through peaceful means.....i have 5 kids....i fear for them)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: llevrok

You just described about half the boys who post here.

The cat ladies are actually nicer to be fair.


37 posted on 06/01/2014 12:26:37 AM PDT by wardaddy (we will not take back our way of life through peaceful means.....i have 5 kids....i fear for them)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: tumblindice
Same way I feel about hang-gliding, and even motorcycling though I have a bike.

It's interesting. I've got my PPL and I think you motorcycle guys are nuts, but then they just turn around and say the same about me.

38 posted on 06/01/2014 12:34:02 AM PDT by JPX2011
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: allendale

“When you “challenge” nature, nature often wins.”

That’s why I stay in my house as much as possible. Nature, it just ain’t for me.

RIP to the lost in both events mentioned here.


39 posted on 06/01/2014 1:31:51 AM PDT by jocon307
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: tumblindice

“I’ll climb a bar stool and use a safety belt.”

LOL - meet you there!

Maybe we can round up a couple of Sherpas, those folks could probably use a drink.


40 posted on 06/01/2014 1:33:34 AM PDT by jocon307
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-85 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson