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( Three ) Missing climbers scaled difficult route ( Weather getting worse )
Associated Press ^ | Dec 13 | JOSEPH B. FRAZIER

Posted on 12/13/2006 8:23:48 AM PST by 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,"

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Oregon
KEYWORDS: blizzard; blizzardravaged; climatechange; climbers; climbing; cooperspur; eliotglacier; hiking; hood; lost; missing; missingclimbers; mounthood; mthood; oregon
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To: giznort
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.

The rescuers are likely also experienced recreational climbers. It's a mutual pact, they are looking for one of their own, not drafting people off the street to climb mountains in a storm.

61 posted on 12/13/2006 10:34:00 AM PST by HairOfTheDog (I need to relax...)
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To: Redleg Duke
You are making some significant assumptions here. You are assuming that they had the foresight to carry survival items with them.

I will bet you $10,000 FRbucks that they are prepared, they're safe, and that they'll be fine.

Yes, it is my assumption that someone who's previously climbed Denali, Ranier, the Andes, and the Alps would go up sufficiently prepared.

Right now they are self-rescuing by laying low, which is the smart and proper thing to do.

62 posted on 12/13/2006 10:35:20 AM PST by angkor ("Bush needs to decide that the bad guys are going to die" Podhoretz, NY Post, 12/5/06)
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To: angkor

I'm not a nanny stater. I don't care what climbers do for fun as long as I'm not paying for it.


63 posted on 12/13/2006 10:37:52 AM PST by Beagle8U
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To: Beagle8U

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

Just below the body count, it reads "The mountains don't care" at the trailhead to Long's Peak in CO.

Not quite what you're looking for, but only the terminally dense can't get the point.


64 posted on 12/13/2006 10:39:05 AM PST by Felis_irritable
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To: angkor

I hope you're right. The weather's really nasty here and going to get worse in the days to come. They've already been a lot of days up there... And it's a bit disconcerting that ~something~ separated them from each other.


65 posted on 12/13/2006 10:39:47 AM PST by HairOfTheDog (I need to relax...)
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To: angkor

I'm terribly sorry that my silly anger has distressed you. Thank you for enlightening me. Here I thought that the rescue teams were transgendered ballet dancers instead of very experienced outdoorspeople! And they join rescue teams willingly! I thought they were captured and forced against their will.

I stand humbly corrected.


66 posted on 12/13/2006 10:42:27 AM PST by giznort
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To: paulat
law enforcement and EMT folks who are standing by...and, as Eva said,

Absurd. Law enforcement is not at all called for in this kind of incident, and if they're there they should go home.

As for "EMT folks standing by", this is also absurd, EMT folks are *paid* to stand by for any and all emergencies happening on their watch. And from all the EMT's I've known (I was once a certified Wilderness First Responder), they *love* getting involved in this sort of thing. They would pay *you* for the chance to do a rescue.

helicopters cost money.

First, we're talking gas money, yes? Second, I guess I don't see the qualitative difference between the use of helicopters to rescue hunters, fishermen, and Boy Scouts as compared to rescuing climbers. What's the difference? Do you object to all rescues?

There is also a terrible emotional toll taken on these folks.

Which folks? The climbers? The rescuers? The families?

I can tell you that the rescuers aren't suffering any emotional toll. They are volunteers. They want to do this.

67 posted on 12/13/2006 10:45:12 AM PST by angkor ("Bush needs to decide that the bad guys are going to die" Podhoretz, NY Post, 12/5/06)
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To: angkor
What bill? There is no bill. Nor should there be.

There should be one helava bill. If I want to climb a stupid rock in Dec, I certainly wouldn't expect anyone to come get me if I get lost. Stupid.

68 posted on 12/13/2006 10:45:48 AM PST by chesty_puller (USMC 70-73 3MAF VN 70-71 US Army 75-79 3d Inf Old Guard)
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To: HairOfTheDog

I've never doubted that the rescuers are experienced recreational climbers and not people drafted off the streets. Nor did I indicate that in my previous post. These rescuers, whether paid employees or unpaid volunteers do incur costs to the taxpayers in the form of transportation, no matter what type of vehicle or mode of transportation, and oftentimes these expenses are considerable. These expenses and the risk of the lives of the rescuers are put in unnecessary peril due to the unwise actions of a few extreme risk thrill takers. I find that very selfish on their behalf.


69 posted on 12/13/2006 10:46:47 AM PST by giznort
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To: george76
Hopefully they brought a stove on their one day attempt...

Hopefully, but if not there are other ways to hydrate while sitting in a snow cave.

I'm getting a real laugh from you, you must think these experienced mountaineers are completely clueless about the outdoors.

Whereas I can guarantee you that anyone who's climbed Denali is a real pragmatic hard-a&&.

70 posted on 12/13/2006 10:48:47 AM PST by angkor ("Bush needs to decide that the bad guys are going to die" Podhoretz, NY Post, 12/5/06)
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To: giznort

Well, not everyone wants to spend life on the couch. Selfish people with risky ambitions accomplish things and go places, while equally selfish people scornfully complain about the costs of saving them if they occasionally falter.

Personally, I think the selfish explorers are living a better life.


71 posted on 12/13/2006 10:52:14 AM PST by HairOfTheDog (I need to relax...)
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To: angkor
Absurd. Law enforcement is not at all called for in this kind of incident, and if they're there they should go home.

We disagree. They are there.

They are handling all the media coverage...they are standing by for medical aid.

They are also being paid.

And they are handling this situation, as opposed to dealing with their other tasks.

72 posted on 12/13/2006 10:52:51 AM PST by paulat
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To: giznort

...more admirable anyway... :~)


73 posted on 12/13/2006 10:52:51 AM PST by HairOfTheDog (I need to relax...)
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To: Beagle8U
I don't care what climbers do for fun as long as I'm not paying for it.

Keep that in mind when a child runs his bicycle into a moving vehicle, or a Christmas tree catches fire, or a deer hops through your windshield.

By your logic we should ban bikes, Christmas trees, and driving, lest you have to pay 10 cents in taxes for a public ambulance.

74 posted on 12/13/2006 10:53:16 AM PST by angkor ("Bush needs to decide that the bad guys are going to die" Podhoretz, NY Post, 12/5/06)
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To: giznort
I stand humbly corrected.

Well at least I hope you;re less angry.

75 posted on 12/13/2006 10:54:52 AM PST by angkor ("Bush needs to decide that the bad guys are going to die" Podhoretz, NY Post, 12/5/06)
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To: HairOfTheDog
I think the selfish explorers are living a better life.

Just me...but I think the people who rescue them are living a better life.

76 posted on 12/13/2006 10:55:26 AM PST by paulat
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To: paulat

Agreed. They're explorers too :~)


77 posted on 12/13/2006 10:57:02 AM PST by HairOfTheDog (I need to relax...)
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To: angkor

"By your logic we should ban bikes, Christmas trees, and driving, lest you have to pay 10 cents in taxes for a public ambulance."

Sell that to liberals, you're beginning to sound like one.


78 posted on 12/13/2006 10:57:13 AM PST by Beagle8U
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To: giznort
unpaid volunteers do incur costs to the taxpayers in the form of transportation, no matter what type of vehicle or mode of transportation, and oftentimes these expenses are considerable.

I've been friends with several guys who were in mountain rescue, including the leaders of the teams. What you are saying above is 100 percent BS. They were volunteers, they did not get compensated, and there was 0 (Z-E-R-O) expense to the taxpayer. You're pulling this right out of your tookus.

These expenses and the risk of the lives of the rescuers are put in unnecessary peril due to the unwise actions of a few extreme risk thrill takers. I find that very selfish on their behalf.

That's a laugh. Neither the climbers or the rescue teams would feel that way. But they would consider you foolish for sizing up risks and activities with which you have no experience.

79 posted on 12/13/2006 11:02:54 AM PST by angkor ("Bush needs to decide that the bad guys are going to die" Podhoretz, NY Post, 12/5/06)
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To: HairOfTheDog

"equally selfish people scornfully complain about the costs of saving them if they occasionally falter. Personally, I think the selfish explorers are living a better life."

Well said.


80 posted on 12/13/2006 11:04:39 AM PST by angkor ("Bush needs to decide that the bad guys are going to die" Podhoretz, NY Post, 12/5/06)
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