Three stranded on Mt Hood

spook · 12-12-2006, 07:47 PM

Update: Climbers not found; searchers turning back
The window of relatively calm weather today is closing as night falls, and searchers desperately scouring Mount Hood for three missing climbers are turning back.

A search helicopter briefly got off the ground this afternoon but couldn't rise above 6,000 feet because of powerful winds. An airplane also couldn't get close to the mountain because of wind.

One of the missing climbers is believed to be in a snow cave at 10,300 feet.

The mood is one of disappointment, said Gerry Tiffany, a detective sergeant with the Hood River County Sheriff's Office.

"The weather isn't predicted to get any better," Tiffany said.

Sheriff Joe Wampler had said that this afternoon's helicopter attempt represented the best chance of locating the climbers, who split into two groups after one was too weak or injured to carry on.

Kelly James, Brian Hall and Jerry "Nikko" Cooke set out to climb the mountain Thursday and descend it Friday. Hall and Cooke built a snow cave for James before leaving to find help.

Tiffany said searchers will regroup tonight and discuss a strategy for Wednesday's search.
....

from this it sounds like they have no idea or leads on the two guys who tried to come down: http://www.oregonlive.com/newslogs/o...12.html#214835

**Platinum Pete** · 12-13-2006, 12:28 AM

back to the front page. these guys are tough and experienced, they could very well still be fighting for their lives. any spare vibes are needed. Anyone read the book -148 farenheit? Those dudes survived long time in a snow cave with minimal supplies and gear. Lots of survival stories bigger then this one, let's hope these guys come down soon and get to tell their story.

**0BernhardFranz** · 12-13-2006, 02:10 PM

maybe they stuck to plan to go down on the other side keep the phone ping location on all times help the search if you can if you fly me in i will put a day on the mountain in if I am in a group and they think i am fit let them know by megaphone if they shall turn phone on for ping location follow ping lead of two and try south variety try helis again as much as possible i think would make sense

**ptavv** · 12-13-2006, 02:13 PM

I don't think you'd be able to hear a megaphone across the Atlantic, but I'll give it a try.

**0BernhardFranz** · 12-13-2006, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by ptavv

I don't think you'd be able to hear a megaphone across the Atlantic, but I'll give it a try.

doo megaphone in helicopter don´t you know these build in speaker systems in police helicopters used to shout surrender and such stuff or during demonstrations ???????? not from here from mt hood based helicopters - can you try from there ???? thanks then.

----

James, is it the time for the absolute zero jacket ? - Absolutely, Mrs. , perfect time for it indeed.

**TBS** · 12-13-2006, 02:36 PM

0Bernhard, your schtick during this time is really inappropriate - please troll another thread

kb1dqh · 12-13-2006, 04:43 PM

++++Positive vibes++++++

That's a very bony route this time of year. All the snow in the PNW must have made is better than normal, but still, a hard route. Guess the problem is it never stopped snowing...

**bdog** · 12-13-2006, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by Platinum Pete

back to the front page. these guys are tough and experienced, they could very well still be fighting for their lives. any spare vibes are needed. Anyone read the book -148 farenheit? Those dudes survived long time in a snow cave with minimal supplies and gear. Lots of survival stories bigger then this one, let's hope these guys come down soon and get to tell their story.

Looks like the best window for SAR finding these guys will come sometime this weekend. That's a long time for them to have been hanging on in a cave, but as you said all three have experience and greater tales of survival have been told. Hoping for the best for all of them, that thy're hunkered down in caves and will pop out at the sound of rotors or voices.

**ptavv** · 12-13-2006, 05:17 PM

Someone on cc.com noted that it's not a guarantee that the two who "went to get help" didn't return to the cave after the phone call. It may be an overly optimistic long shot, but if all three of them are holed up together in that cave it would make the situation far less dismal.

**Hutch** · 12-13-2006, 05:19 PM

Every time this thread gets bumped I get optimistic that there's been some good news. +++++++++++++vibes+++++++++++++

hang in there, guys!

**damn texan** · 12-13-2006, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Pope Benedict XVI

Every time this thread gets bumped I get optimistic that there's been some good news. +++++++++++++vibes+++++++++++++

hang in there, guys!

same here. ++++++++++++++++++++

**atomicboy** · 12-13-2006, 06:12 PM

++++++vibes++++++

I am hoping for the best, it looks grim but you have to have faith that they will make it. There needs to be some good news as it is the holidays for goodness sake. I want the Christmas miracle

**Platinum Pete** · 12-13-2006, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by atomicboy

++++++vibes++++++
I want the Christmas miracle

damn. Christmas for their families is either going to be so great or so sad. Makes my heart sink.

It's completely ridiculous of me to feel this way, but I so want to get up there and help. I'm not trained SAR, I'm way out of shape, what would I do if I got to them... but I've got more ballast than those bony climber rescuers, I know the mountain so well, I love shitty weather. Stupid and irrational impulse.

On so many levels I don't want this to be a fatality story. Selfishly, I don't want to be scared of what the mountain can do to such experienced climbers, I don't want my friends and family worrying any more about me when I go up, I don't want the spooky feelings when I go past where these guys are. Less selfishly, I would hate to think of their suffering, their families questions and heartbreak, or God forbid a rescuer gets hurt or injured in the process.... I know everybody involved accepts the risks and it's part of the sport and who these folks are and why their families love them. just sucks.

**ptavv** · 12-13-2006, 07:56 PM

Pete, I've run through the same gamut of emotions. I know a handful of patrollers on Mt Hood and PMR volunteers and knowing the work they've been doing makes me feel useless and makes me want to help. Then the rational part of me kicks in and knows that these people are more experienced, qualified, and trained than I am -- I'd only be a burden to them.

When PMR opens up their applications again in the spring I'm going to think long and hard about applying.

**liquidchaos** · 12-13-2006, 09:18 PM

+++++vibes to all++++
while we are on the subject, please to everyone, do not be afraid to join your local SAR team, if you think that you arent trained enough, it will happen, personal experience is the best way to gain the experience you need to help others. I have known steve rollins and the other PMR memebers who are out there looking for these poor soles. while we all hope for the best, please look into joining up for your local team! If you ahve questions, drop me a line.
Doug
dfs80@hotmail.com

**Platinum Pete** · 12-14-2006, 01:09 AM

Originally Posted by ptavv

When PMR opens up their applications again in the spring I'm going to think long and hard about applying.

A buddy was volunteering a bit for PMR a few years back and took me to a meeting. I was 24 and an a-hole, so I thought, "why hang around these old guys with heavy packs. I'll go read Twight and get into trouble instead." Now that I have a few more years and a few more experiences under my belt I'll likely look into it again.

**0BernhardFranz** · 12-14-2006, 04:15 AM

Originally Posted by telebobski

0Bernhard, your schtick during this time is really inappropriate - please troll another thread

doo ain´t a tool of the military industrial complex but an arms dealer and i started a global peace b this and thop op that may someday reduce sales so doo fuck off and i star osi investigation for extortion of aquisition personell right now - i will not support purchase of more bombers as you need soem shrink to look after you

**Hutch** · 12-14-2006, 03:11 PM

Fresh round of +++++++++++++++vibes++++++++++++++ for these guys

spook · 12-14-2006, 03:16 PM

if they don't find them soon it may be spring before they do.

nothing i'm reading now in pdx is remotely optimistic.

**Greydon Clark** · 12-14-2006, 03:27 PM

I was hoping they would find the guy in the snow cave yesterday, but now, with the rain, snow, and wind…

**ptavv** · 12-14-2006, 03:46 PM

This storm is only going to pick up in intensity through the weekend.

**shmoesmith** · 12-14-2006, 03:57 PM

Still hope that they are alive....

COOPER SPUR, Oregon (AP) -- One of three climbers stranded amid ice, billowing snow and gale-force winds on Oregon's Mount Hood has been turning his cell phone on and off, authorities said Thursday, raising hopes for his rescue.

T-Mobile received a signal from Kelly James' cell phone late Tuesday night, indicating it was back on, when it had been off.

The sequence of signals suggested James, 48, of Dallas, Texas, may have been turning his cell phone off to conserve battery power, a possibility that brought hope to family members who have gathered near the mountain.

"My heart was in my throat when I heard that, because if it's true it means Kelly is alive, and he has his wits about him," his brother, Frank James of Orlando, Florida, said at a news conference.

T-Mobile also reported that the cell phone initiated a call Monday morning.

The Hood River County Sheriff's Office said T-Mobile continued to signal, or "ping," the cell phone Wednesday, but the last signal received was Tuesday night.

**tarkman1** · 12-14-2006, 06:08 PM

The story about cell phone signal is definitely good news, especially if the signal is showing up at regular intervals.

**TBS** · 12-14-2006, 06:14 PM

Super good news about the phone...looking forward to a happy ending

spook · 12-14-2006, 07:18 PM

that cell ping was tuesday. it stopped pinging from what i've heard. the interviews with various rescuers yesterday afternoon was far less optimistic than tuesday. one said they don't even know which side of the mountain the other two guys are on, assuming they're not with the cell.

and now this:

Mt. Hood officials say Tuesday phone activation a 'nonevent'
The Hood River County sheriff’s office is backtracking from an earlier announcement that one of the climbers missing on Mount Hood may have turned on his cell phone as recently as Tuesday night.

http://www.oregonlive.com/newslogs/o...12.html#215597