Posted on 12/17/2006 3:43:18 PM PST by ConservativeMan55
One climber found dead on Mt. Hood
They're saying he was found in a snow cave.
Prayers for their families.
BREAKING NEWS: One climber found dead Portland Mountain Rescue officials confirmed Sunday afternoon that crews found the body of one climber in a snow cave different from one that officials zeroed in on earlier in the day.
They said they found them within the last ten minutes.
There was a snow cave found earlier in the day. It had been vacated, but a few pieces of gear had been left behind (rope, sleeping pad--no gear that was essential).
Sad. Never climb a mountain in winter.
Also I heard there was a Y carved in the snow. Y for yes.
Most mountains worth climbing have the potential of winter conditions at the summit, even in summer.
On topo maps, supposedly a "Y" is the indication for a cave.
I missed the beginning of this. How did those people get lost in the first place?
One only, so far. CNN just now reporting.
But isn't it worse in winter?
"Sad. Never climb a mountain in winter."
That means don't climb in the Himilaya, the Andes, Kilimanjaro, Alaska, etc.
Mountaineering is all about snow and ice.
Thanks.
Oh, their poor families!
The uncertainty must be agony!
They could have been ski-mountaineering too. Climb up, ski down.
Smaller peaks like Hood & Rainier are doable year-round. Big ones, Denali, Everest, K2, etc only have a small window during the year when they are climbable. Usually May to early June.
"But isn't it worse in winter?"
Winter is dry season in some areas (Himilaya).
Snow and ice "cement" otherwise loose rock to the mountain.
Etc.
I am a (very amateur) winter climber and the experienced climbers I know fully realize the risks of climbing.
Keep in mind the fact that danger is a major part of climbing.
I was really hoping for the best for these guys-- sad.
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