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

[MrsMush99]

Family members are going to make a statement shortly. I know it's odd Buzz. I have no idea why they won't say who it is. Maybe the family want's to make the announcement.

 

[MrsMush99]

Kelly James's wife is not going to be present at the PC, but his brother will be. I think they speaks volumes right there. I feel so bad for his wife. She was so convinced he was going to come off the mountain alive. So sad.

 

[PrayersForMaura]

Kelly James's wife is not going to be present at the PC, but his brother will be. I think they speaks volumes right there. I feel so bad for his wife. She was so convinced he was going to come off the mountain alive. So sad.

Yes, she had so much optimism. Even after the disoriented call she received from him last Tuesday. I don't know how i would be in that situation. Probably totally uncomposed.

Prayers to her and their children.

 

[MrsMush99]

The Sherriff did not give family positive identification of the climber, however they did tell them about a ring that was found on the climber and that was his brother Kelly's ring. Poor guy. Just breaking my heart watching this. They are reading statement now.

 

[nanandjim]

The Sherriff did not give family positive identification of the climber, however they did tell them about a ring that was found on the climber and that was his brother Kelly's ring. Poor guy. Just breaking my heart watching this. They are reading statement now.

Agree. Heartbreaking. I can only imagine the panic that the other two families are feeling at this point.

 

[czechmate7]

If you read post #606 Kelley James brother lives around my hometown and there was an article in the newspaper that stated authories had already contacted him yesterday that it was indeed his brother that they had recovered...I wonder if something had changed...strange..

 

[MrsMush99]

frank James stated that they did not give him a positive idea but did tell him some personal effects that were on him, one of those items was a ring with Kelly's initials. So that led them to conclude that it was indeed him. Also, Frank James contacted the sheriff's office to find out, they did not contact him.

 

[czechmate7]

frank James stated that they did not give him a positive idea but did tell him some personal effects that were on him, one of those items was a ring with Kelly's initials. So that led them to conclude that it was indeed him. Also, Frank James contacted the sheriff's office to find out, they did not contact him.

Strange...that isn't what was printed in the article...this is how rumors get started....how awful!

 

[Buzz Mills]

I don't think there was much doubt, in anyone's mind, as to the identity of the body found just below the summit. Hall and Cooke had headed down the mountain to seek help. Identity was only a formality.

 

[sweetmop]

This is all very heart-breaking. And this will forever change the Christmas holidays for all the families. I continue in prayers for these people. God's comfort and blessings to kelly james wife and 4 children...

 

[Buzz Mills]

Searchers will scour the Gullies by air; too treacherous to search by foot

Searchers today plan to focus on a section of Mount Hood called the Gullies, located between Eliot and Newton Clark glaciers. That stretch is unstable and avalanche-prone so searchers will scour the region by air.

The Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center says avalanche danger for elevations above 6,000 feet on the mountain are "considerable."
I'm trying to find a picture of that area.

Eliot Glacier Crevasses
http://www.rdrop.com/~dbp/imagehtml/01072005.html

For perspective, there are two climbers standing in the upper right corner of the photo.

http://adamschneider.net/photos/2005-07-cs/source/p7191978.htm

 

[RoughlyCollie]

I think the sheriff isn't willing to go out on a limb, publicly, to identify a body he hasn't seen yet. I wouldn't want to be him if the body turned out to be someone else for an unfathomable reason. Also, I think the sheriff wanted to give the James family time to notify their friends and relatives, perhaps especially those who live in Germany.

If you read post #606 Kelley James brother lives around my hometown and there was an article in the newspaper that stated authories had already contacted him yesterday that it was indeed his brother that they had recovered...I wonder if something had changed...strange..

 

[nanandjim]

I don't think there was much doubt, in anyone's mind, as to the identity of the body found just below the summit. Hall and Cooke had headed down the mountain to seek help. Identity was only a formality.

I apologize if this has been posted before. Frank James has already given a news conference stating that it was his brother who was found. I believe that he wanted to end speculation. He, nor the wives of the other two hikers, took any questions after they spoke.

 

[izzyB]

if anyone is in the dallas area i heard on the radio there will be a prayer service for the families today (monday) at 5PM. the church is at Park Lane and Central Expressway (just north of North Park Mall but on the other side of the expressway, Fellowship Bible Church Dallas).

 

[Ca-Sun]

Here is a map showing the route the climbers took and the location of the snow caves http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/12-06/1218mountain.pdf

Also, here is a good article that talks about Kelly and the preparations for the climb
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/121806dnmetclimbersfolo.346e39c.html

 

[scandi]

Buzz, if these guys fell into a gully would a helicopter hovering above be able to see their bright coats? The Sheriff mentioned a 2500' fall possibility. So he is thinking they might not have seen the gully in the storm and walked into it and then fell that far down into a crack in the ice?

Seems like it is taking a long time to bring down the body, don't you think. I think the heli has been up there aver 2 hours.

Thanks, and sorry if that seems like a cumb question. sCandi

 

[Buzz Mills]

Buzz, if these guys fell into a gully would a helicopter hovering above be able to see their bright coats? The Sheriff mentioned a 2500' fall possibility. So he is thinking they might not have seen the gully in the storm and walked into it and then fell that far down into a crack in the ice?

Seems like it is taking a long time to bring down the body, don't you think. I think the heli has been up there aver 2 hours.

Thanks, and sorry if that seems like a cumb question. sCandi

Scandi, they could have slid down the mountain and ended up in a crevasse--some of the crevasses are said to be 100 feet deep. As far as seeing them, that's an unknown, it depends on whether they are still visible, or buried under snow/rock.

The heli that is bringing the body down will bring all belongings found in either of the caves, or left anywhere in the area, including the rope that was tied off.

There was 18" of fresh snow, or more, after Hall and Cooke, left to head down the mountain. With drifts, Hall and Cooke, could be under quite a few feet of snow. The searchers need some luck on their side.

 

[scandi]

Buzz, I just looked at the photo of the footprints and wanted your opinion about something.

At the bottom of the photo you see the prints going straight up and they get faint for a while and then you see they turn left and think that is a cave they built. And then you see the footsteps exit that area and turn left and continue straight up the mountain.

Do you think that is the first cave, and that when Kelly exited it he followed their footsteps up a little ways, lost, and then started building another cave? I don't see footsteps going back down the mountain.

Also, to the left of the footprints I see what looks like where something slid down. Is that from rocks, or could it be from where they came back down. The Sheriff said they think they came back down to the cave area, and I'm wondering if that slide area meant anything to them.

Thanks Sweetie Scandi

 

[Karole28]

Buzz, I just looked at the photo of the footprints and wanted your opinion about something.

Hey Guys,
I know I haven't been posting on this thread, but have been reading it fervently hoping for a success story (unlike James Kim).

Scandi (or anyone?) can you please point me to the pics of the footprints, I can't seem to find them in the thread. Forgive me if I overlooked them.

 

[scandi]

Here it is Karole:

http://209.221.152.246/images/news/IMG_9534.JPG

Looking at that photo again, I see where it looks like someone went out and walked up by the side of the top of that cave and walked over to that big rock you see at the very top of the photo.

At CC someone said the cave where the body was found was by a big rock, and it looks like a cave opening to me. Pretty close to the other one. You have to look hard for the footprints, but it looks like a single set going across and back pver to that rock.