Some very interesting ideas, everyone!
So those 2 axes belonged to James? My big question is, how could he traverse over from the small cave to the larger one without an axe? It seems improbable that he could just walk upright with no support, and with a dislocated shoulder.
This also negates one of the theories at the climbers' forum, where they suggest perhaps he dislocated his shoulder in a self-arrest, which would mean he had an axe in his hand of the arm that got injured. Right? Or is this still a possibility?
How does the possibly cut rope fit into all this?
So, maybe someone could offer up a slightly revised theory based on the new information about the axes? I'm feeling a little confused as my brain is full of things I need to do for Christmas.
Unfortunately, I don't think they'll find the two climbers until spring.
Another tidbit, someone on the climbers' forum who was part of the summit rescue team said that in the large cave where James was found, there was not enough equipment, or the right kind of equipment, to survive for any amount of time up there in the cold and at altitude. I guess the fact that they packed only for a fast and light climb ended up leaving them in a very precarious situation.
I can't judge whether or not he could have gone back to the snow cave without an axe. It just depends on the specifics so much, and I don't have them. Roamer is good to ask that of. Not that he is familiar with Mt. Hood or that specific area, but he's the one who allows for the possibility and he knows how important axes can be.
The traverse back to the cave seems to be over snowpack, and the trail was already "kicked in", so he had good feet... The S&R guys didn't seem to be having great difficulty moving on that trail- What I saw of it on TV... They were roped and belayed, but seemed to be moving comfortably, so it doesn't seem to be out of the question. That can be deceiving though.
This also negates one of the theories at the climbers' forum, where they suggest perhaps he dislocated his shoulder in a self-arrest, which would mean he had an axe in his hand of the arm that got injured. Right? Or is this still a possibility?
Self-arrest is a reasonable theory for the injury, but that would pre-suppose his axes were with him, and suggests that his buddies left him totally unprepared- That is the thing that bugs me the most. They would not have left him that way.
How does the possibly cut rope fit into all this?
As I said before, the rope may or may not indicate a cut-away scenario. It would be incidental until more evidence presents.
Bruce