( Three ) Missing climbers scaled difficult route ( Weather getting worse )

Associated Press ^ | Dec 13 | JOSEPH B. FRAZIER

[george76]

Three climbers stranded on blizzard-ravaged Mount Hood selected one of the most difficult approaches to the summit, a decision that is hampering rescue efforts.

The trio scaled the north side of the mountain, which offers a view of Mount Rainier but is treacherous, with slopes of 50 or 60 degrees and occasional sheer walls of ice.

For rescue crews, the site has been made even more forbidding by snow-laden winds rushing over the steep slopes at speeds up to 80 mph.

"Those are the strongest winds I've ever been in — knock you down, hands and knees," said Lindsay Clunes of Corvallis Mountain Rescue, one of the dozens of searchers who have been looking for the three climbers since last weekend.

Kelly James, Brian Hall and Jerry "Nikko" Cooke had planned a "quick climb" on Mount Hood, traveling light to make the ascent as fast as possible.

They had not been heard from since Sunday, when James called on his cell phone from a snow cave just below the summit. The Hood River County sheriff's office said it would mount another full effort early Wednesday.

Cooke, 36, a lawyer from New York City, and Hall, 37, a personal trainer who played for the now-defunct Dallas Rockets professional soccer team, are believed to have attempted a descent while James, 48, a landscape architect from Dallas, apparently remained near the summit.

Even if crews locate the missing climbers, bad weather may prevent them from climbing high enough to rescue them, said Deputy Pete Hughes, a sheriff's spokesman.

"The next 48 hours is not looking very good,"

[Eva]

This is nuts, we have been having an unending stretch of nasty weather since the beginning of November. I'm not a big fan of gov't regulation, but there needs to be some sort of sanity injected into this type of risk taking, make the climbers apply for a permit, the day before such a trek. There is no reason to cause the inevitable rescuers to be subjected to the rigors, expense and risk of the search, if it could all be prevented.

[Beagle8U]

"I agree. While I pray for their safe rescue/return, part of me gets mad at these extreme sports enthusiasts who are looking for the big thrill who not only risk their own lives but those of the people who are committed to their rescue. Not to mention the costs associated with their rescue as well."

Bingo! Why should taxpayers pay $thousands to rescue someone that engages in something only because there is great risk of injury/death ?

Just put a sign at the bottom of these mountains that reads.." You're on your own beyond this point".

[Issaquahking]

Any S & R member needs to remember, remain a rescuer, not a victim. Cool, level headed thinking, is your best weapon against the elements. Only go as far as you can make it back from, otherwise, you too will be a victim.

While I pray for their safety, I also pray that our rights to be free, are not threatened. They chose the climb, if they die on this climb, at least they died free. That may sound cold, but anything else is honoring nanny state-ism.

Prayers for the S & R members, and others involved, that things will break right in a rescue today.

[george76]

I agree.

A special prayer for the brave men who would try for a rescue.

[OldFriend]

Mr. Kim died free. Labelled a hero by the MSM.

At least these climbers didn't take their infant children up on the mountain with them.

[BluH2o]

hope they're OK and I hope they pay the bill.

It's my understanding that in Europe, if you take on a risky endeavor such as climbing a mountain, and have a serious problem that requires a rescue unit being activated ... you pay the tab.

[george76]

We agree.

Prayers for the S & R members, and others involved, that things will break right in a rescue today.

[r9etb]

Why were they doing this in December?

'Cause they're adventure-seeking idiots who apparently thought they were bulletproof.

I really, really hope none of the S&R folks gets hurt trying to find these guys.

[hosepipe]

[ Why were they doing this in December? ]

LoL.. right.. in winter.. Duuugh..

[r9etb]

However, he's an attorney who owns a multifamily home in one of Brooklyn's nicest neighborhoods. He can pay for it.

More likely, his estate can pay for it.

[angkor]

Unless these guys have been injured or worse, I have faith that they'll know how to survive the storm until better conditions prevail. Hopefully they brought one or more stoves to melt snow for water, in which case they can stay put in that snow cave for a very long time. It's not all that uncommon to find refuge in a snow cave for days and even weeks.

[Issaquahking]

Being responsible for the safety of others, especially one's who can't fend for themselves, one needs to have on a different hat.

By myself, and in small groups, I've done some dumb things, but never to the degree that I couldn't recover. This includes week long ventures in Alaskan remotes by myself. Soaking wet and getting a fire going, when it's just above freezing, isn't a luxury, it's "a must" requirement.

LOL that I can be a keyboard warrior after some trips. Their will be more, granted, more conservative as this pirate looks at fifty, but I'm far from done!

[angkor]

part of me gets mad at these extreme sports enthusiasts who are looking for the big thrill who not only risk their own lives but those of the people who are committed to their rescue.

Let me fill you in on something: most mountain rescue teams are volunteers who are very experienced outdoorspeople and *mountaineers*. They join rescue teams willingly (in fact often competetively) because they'd want the help if they ever needed it themselves, and because they understand the nature of the sport, including the risks.

Your "anger" is completely groundless, and in fact a little silly.

[OldFriend]

We all do dumb things and shudder at the thought of what could have happened. However, once you're responsible for the lives of your infant children......you are right. That requires a very different hat.

[angkor]

There is no reason to cause the inevitable rescuers to be subjected to the rigors, expense and risk of the search.

Except the that rescuers are climbers themselves. You've got to be an experienced mountaineer/climber to join any rescue team, and of course *willing* to put yourself at risk.

By your logic you should also be mad at the rescuers for taking the risk of rescuing.

As for the expense, rescue is available to anyone encountering trouble in the outdoors, from the most risk-taking mountaineer to the most hapless and inexperienced hiker. Should we just let them all die?

[angkor]

Just put a sign at the bottom of these mountains that reads.." You're on your own beyond this point".

Well you are to a very large degree: people die in the mountains every year (see the American Alpine Club's annual publication "Accidents In North American Mountaineering").

No one goes up wanting to get injured or lost, but it happens. Thousands of successful outings for every one or two mishaps.

As for your suggestion, is that going to apply to a lost Boy Scout troop? Or a few inexperienced high school kids? Or someone who was caught in weather gone awry despite all care and planning?

"The American Alpine Club and the Alpine Club of Canada jointly produce Accidents in North American Mountaineering, an annual compendium of accident reports from climbing accidents in the United States and Canada. Through analyzing what went wrong in each situation, ANAM gives experienced and beginning mountaineers the opportunity to learn from other climbers' mistakes. From inadequate protection, clothing, or equipment to inexperience, errors in judgment, and exceeding abilities, the mistakes recorded in this book are invaluable safety lessons for all climbers."

[angkor]

Seriously, I object to risking more lives to save people who should have known better.

Like a hapless Boy Scout leader and 8 troops?

Let the kids die?

Let me inform you that mountain rescue teams in the Northwest (and elsewhere) are *experienced mountaineers*. They are well aware of the risks.

[Eva]

No, we should not, cannot, let them die, but their needs to be some sanity applied to the risk. I don't think that the rescuers bear the expense of this type of rescue, and it happens entirely too often.

[angkor]

I have no idea what level of climbing prowess they're on - but that is one ambitious "quick climb", especially in winter.

From the story: "James has the most experience — 25 years of mountaineering that includes Mount McKinley, the Andes Mountains in South America and peaks in Europe"

I hope they're OK and I hope they pay the bill.

What bill? There is no bill. Nor should there be.

[Beagle8U]

"As for your suggestion, is that going to apply to a lost Boy Scout troop? Or a few inexperienced high school kids? Or someone who was caught in weather gone awry despite all care and planning?"

Does the book you mention list cases of boy scouts and lost HS kids climbing MT. Hood in winter?