OR OR - Kelly James (dead), Brian Hall, 37, Jerry Cooke, 36, Mt. Hood Climbers, Dec 2006

[scandi]

You said in an earlier post Buzz that you thought they would find the other 2 men much further down the mountain. What are your ideas here.

 

[Buzz Mills]

You said in an earlier post Buzz that you thought they would find the other 2 men much further down the mountain. What are your ideas here.

Scandi, we don't have a weather history of what it was like up on the mountain, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but Hall and Cooke were determined to get down the mountain to get help for Kelly James, despite what were probably poor weather conditions. The weather no doubt raised the level of danger on their descent, especially if they descended on the more treacherous North side, which apparently is laced with crevasses. Perhaps, with poor visibility, in harsh conditions, they made a very poor decision in an attempt to speed up their descent.

 

[Buzz Mills]

Sheriff Joe Wampler said the snow cave with the body is 400 feet to the south at roughly the same elevation as the snow cave with the equipment.

Based on what searchers found Sunday, Wampler said, two climbers may have descended the east side of the mountain, which is not a logical route.

The three men are experienced climbers. Hall and James have been climbing partners for eight years and met Cooke last year while climbing Mount Rainier, becoming good friends. They started this climb Dec. 6, and left notes in their vehicle, at a ranger station and a warming hut explaining their route up and down the mountain and listing the equipment — including food, fuel, waterproof sacks and shovels — that they carried.

http://www.oregonlive.com/newslogs/...e_oregonian_news/archives/2006_12.html#216568

 

[Lurker Steve]

No matter what, you have to give these climbers major props for leaving such detailed information about their route and what equipment they were carrying.

 

[czechmate7]

Sheriff Joe Wampler said the snow cave with the body is 400 feet to the south at roughly the same elevation as the snow cave with the equipment.

Based on what searchers found Sunday, Wampler said, two climbers may have descended the east side of the mountain, which is not a logical route.

The three men are experienced climbers. Hall and James have been climbing partners for eight years and met Cooke last year while climbing Mount Rainier, becoming good friends. They started this climb Dec. 6, and left notes in their vehicle, at a ranger station and a warming hut explaining their route up and down the mountain and listing the equipment — including food, fuel, waterproof sacks and shovels — that they carried.

http://www.oregonlive.com/newslogs/oregonian/index.ssf?/mtlogs/olive_oregonian_news/archives/2006_12.html#216568

Buzz, what is your take on the others? Where do you think they could be after all this time? As far as we know they weren't injured...Do you think the equipment found in the snow cave belonged to Kelley? Don't you think rescue teams should have encountered them by now (especially since they knew the route they had taken) It's like these 2 guys just vanished..so strange and so sad..

 

[czechmate7]

Here is an article I just found in my hometown paper

Raceland man informed his brother died on Mount Hood

A Raceland man was told by authorities tonight that his brother’s body was the one rescuers found during a search for three missing climbers near the summit of Mt. Hood in Oregon.

Ben James traveled to Oregon Friday to join other family members as they awaited word during a search often thwarted by difficult conditions.

He said his brother, Kelly James, a Texas architect, was an experienced climber.

Ben James said he was told the body was found in an ice cave that he was building for protection from the elements, not far from another that he had occupied when making distress calls.

The search for the two other missing men is expected to continue Monday, James was told
http://www.houmatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061216/HURBLOG/61217005

 

[samhoney]

I was so crestfallen when I saw the breaking news on CNN. Well, may God bless the family and friends of this fallen climber.

 

[dark_shadows]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/dmn/stories/121606dnmetclimbers.11dd082b.html

This is a must read about the phone call Kelly made to his son.

Hello RoughlyCollie,
I want to thank-you for posting the link for the phone call.
I cannot even imagine what tourment both were going through during that call. Kelly still had the frame of mind to call his son.
I am so sad that Kelly passed away. I am praying that Kelly passed before the other 2 men set out from the cave. I would not want to think that he was left alone to die.
Respectfully,
dark_shadows

 

[izzyB]

kelly james and his wife are members of the church we used to attend. there were daily prayer services at the church since this became known to the public a week ago.

i have a feeling that the 2 others never returned to kelly. he left the cave and as some speculate could not find it and built the new one, where he died. i am very fearful for the lives of the other 2 men.

 

[sweetmop]

Hello RoughlyCollie,
I want to thank-you for posting the link for the phone call.
I cannot even imagine what tourment both were going through during that call. Kelly still had the frame of mind to call his son.
I am so sad that Kelly passed away. I am praying that Kelly passed before the other 2 men set out from the cave. I would not want to think that he was left alone to die.
Respectfully,
dark_shadows

Darkshadows, Your post is so eloquent and heartfelt... I want to say the same. I join in prayer also for Kelly James to rest in peace now and for his family to feel the Lord's comfort. Kelly is now warm and fearless in the arms of God. God, please hold and comfort his family members, and we're looking for a Christmas miracle today.

 

[kahskye]

i have a feeling that the 2 others never returned to kelly. he left the cave and as some speculate could not find it and built the new one, where he died. i am very fearful for the lives of the other 2 men.

Maybe Kelly was unconscious when the other two left him in the first cave to get help. Later Kelly came to and may not have realized the extent of his injuries. He got up and left the cave and started walking, but became too weak. He was very disoriented, which would explain the footprints going around in circles. He couldn't remember which direction the first cave was so he started digging another cave for shelter where he unfortunately took his last breath.

I'm so upset about this and am still praying for a miracle to find the other two alive. My heart goes out to Kelly's family. May their strong faith give them comfort knowing that Kelly is in a better place. He's no longer cold, wet and hungry. Just as I hope there's pets in heaven for me, I hope there's mountains there for Kelly to climb.

 

[MrsMush99]

Searchers are getting ready to head back up the mountain. Let's pray for a good outcome today.

 

[Mygirlsadie]

I'm just very curious to know what kind of injury he had? And is the injury what killed him? Obviously he was injured long before he made the phone call for him to be talking delirious already? ... I knew not to get excited over the news last night I feel scared to get excited over anything anymore I almost feel like everything always has to be bitter-sweet now a days!

 

[PrayersForMaura]

One of three climbers missing for more than a week on Mount Hood was found dead Sunday.

The body of Kelly James was found inside the second of two snow caves rescuers searched Sunday afternoon, his family told NBC News. (Watch the announcement that one climber was found dead )

"I can't even begin to imagine the grief of losing somebody but not knowing who it is," he said. "We're going to find out as soon as possible, and we're going to let those families know. They deserve that."

The caves are in the same area where officials pinpointed a cell phone signal a week ago, when James, 48, of Dallas, Texas, told his family that he was holed up on the mountain.

James also told his family that the other climbers -- Brian Hall, 37, of Dallas, and Jerry "Nikko" Cooke, 36, of Brooklyn, New York -- had gone on.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/18/missing.climbers/index.html

 

[czechmate7]

I'm just very curious to know what kind of injury he had? And is the injury what killed him? Obviously he was injured long before he made the phone call for him to be talking delirious already? ... I knew not to get excited over the news last night I feel scared to get excited over anything anymore I almost feel like everything always has to be bitter-sweet now a days!

That is the same thing I wondered about. I'm sure when he spoke with his son and wife he mentioned what that injury was...has it ever been revealed?

I just don't understand where the other climbers could be? Why hasn't the rescue team run into them? They know the route these guys took...I'm sure it's very frustrating for the rescue team..

 

[Pepper]

I heard on the news that his body was frozen solid. This is not good news for the condition of the other 2. Someone said that with all the aircraft and rescue workers on the mountain yesterday, that there should have been a signal from the other two, if they were able. Not a good sign that it didn't happen.

 

[MrsMush99]

I heard on the news that his body was frozen solid. This is not good news for the condition of the other 2. Someone said that with all the aircraft and rescue workers on the mountain yesterday, that there should have been a signal from the other two, if they were able. Not a good sign that it didn't happen.

Pepper, I was thinking the same exact thing. They should have HEARD something. I still hoping for a good outcome, but sadly I don't think so. Not giving up hope though. Will continue to pray for their safe return.

 

[Paladin]

I have a few thoughts on this...

1. 2 of the climbers separated from the 3rd because he was injured, so they went for help.

2. Is it possible the other 2 were caught in an avalanche? Or would mountain crews have notice a shift in the snow caps?

3. Do you think it would have been better to announce that a climber was found dead after they confirmed the identity and notified the families? I just feel horrible that all of these families are sitting in horror wondering if it was their loved one who died.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

I heard on the news that his body was frozen solid. This is not good news for the condition of the other 2. Someone said that with all the aircraft and rescue workers on the mountain yesterday, that there should have been a signal from the other two, if they were able. Not a good sign that it didn't happen.

Hi Pepper! :blowkiss:

I've been saying that all weekend - if physically able, the hikers should have been able to see/hear the rescue teams and send signals or get out in the open to be seen. To me, it's not a good sign that the rescue teams haven't seen anything. Yet, one has to have faith and hope until there's reason not to...stranger things have happened, for sure.

 

[scandi]

Good Morning,

I have read so many thoughtful and eloquent posts, and can only say that although finding Kelly James does not bode well for the other men, there still is hope they will be found today. You never give up, in fact I heard Dr Sanjay Gutta {sp} on FOX say last night that even when you have a frozen body, there are times when it will come back to life.

This morning I have learned also that Kelly was frozen solid which was important for the searchers to know. It meant that he had been deceased for several days which gives them an element of timing in trying to now find the other 2 men.

They brought down some items off the body and last night the Sheriff met with the families and these things were ID'ed as belonging to Kelly. So the family did know last night who had passed on.

Then this morning I read a link {darn! Should have brought it over} that didn't state as such but rather inferred Kelly was in the act of building the second cave when he died. So it was not a finished cave that he was ensconced in.

Thinking of the searchers today and hope for their well being and success. They have clues to follow acc to the Sheriff. And they have excellent weather to search until tomorrow night when a new storm is expected to come in.

Scandi