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

[Ca-Sun]

Here's a good resource for information on Mt. Hood.

Mt. Hood Climbing Information
http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150189/mount-hood.htmlhttp://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150189/mount-hood.html

Awesome photos and a wealth of information. Thanks, Buzz.

 

[Buzz Mills]

Here is the latest report from Katu, Portland

http://www.katu.com/news/local/4927801.html

Here are snippets from the above article:

Detailed note gives searchers and families new hope

COOPER SPUR, Ore. - A rescue team searching for three climbers missing on Mount Hood was riding out a massive storm in a remote mountain lodge overnight, hoping for a weather break Friday that would let them reach a snow cave near the summit that is the last known location for at least one of the three men.

On Friday, a detailed note left by the climbers at the Hood River ranger station was discovered.

It outlined the gear they took with them, including food, fuel and waterproof bivvy sacks, giving searchers and family members new hope for their survival under the most treacherous of conditions.

Search teams hoped that a break in the weather after a severe storm would allow the used of a military aircraft loaded with equipment that may locate the three missing men.

Hood River County sheriff's Deputy Chris Guertin, who is coordinating the search, said that under optimum conditions a rescue team might be able to reach the snow cave within four to six hours from the Cloud Cap Inn at the 6,000-foot level.

An attempt to use small, unmanned planes carrying cameras that can detect body heat was stymied Thursday when lenses fogged up because of precipitation, but more were sent in by Sno-Cat 9 miles to the inn Thursday afternoon. The flights reached about 6,500 feet, said John Blitch, leader of the Colorado nonprofit group Aracar, which provided the planes. The planes will be kept outside to acclimatize them for a later attempt, he said.

He said the weather outlook for the search on Friday was "very poor" with extreme avalanche danger. Winds of 100 to 140 mph were expected on the mountain, along with up to 18 inches of snow, followed by a sharp temperature drop, Tiffany said.

Guertin said rescue crews are committed to continuing the search at least through Saturday. "Time and weather are the issues now," he said.

Technicians - including two from the FBI - arrived with technology they said could define the location better if other signals from the phone could be detected.

 

[Ca-Sun]

Fox News is reporting that a C-130 military aircraft is enroute to PDX from Reno, ETA 2:00 pm PT. Should be airborne this evening in the Mt. Hood area. Has IR equipment on board and can fly regardless of weather.

 

[GreenEyes727]

Fox News is reporting that a C-130 military aircraft is enroute to PDX from Reno, ETA 2:00 pm PT. Should be airborne this evening in the Mt. Hood area. Has IR equipment on board and can fly regardless of weather.

Amen! I am praying that they are still alive. I just can't imagine being them.

 

[Buzz Mills]

Fox News is reporting that a C-130 military aircraft is enroute to PDX from Reno, ETA 2:00 pm PT. Should be airborne this evening in the Mt. Hood area. Has IR equipment on board and can fly regardless of weather.

This is the same C-130 that tried to fly over on Wednesday but had to turn back.

A Nevada Air National Guard C-130 equipped with heat-detection sensors flew over the mountain Wednesday, but it had to turn back after 15 minutes because of extreme turbulence, said a spokesman for the Hood River County Sheriff’s Department. The C-130 crew hopes to return Thursday.

 

[RoughlyCollie]

I hope she has heat and everything she needs. We were without power for a week once, during an ice storm in Atlanta, many years ago. It's not fun. Nowadays, I wouldn't mind it if I had a fireplace and a way to make hot coffee.

Scandi is one of the many people in WA without power because of damage caused by the high winds. Let's hope her power comes back up soon.

 

[Ca-Sun]

I hope she has heat and everything she needs. We were without power for a week once, during an ice storm in Atlanta, many years ago. It's not fun. Nowadays, I wouldn't mind it if I had a fireplace and a way to make hot coffee.

A week is a long time with no power, RC, especially with no fireplace.

 

[Ca-Sun]

This is the same C-130 that tried to fly over on Wednesday but had to turn back.

A Nevada Air National Guard C-130 equipped with heat-detection sensors flew over the mountain Wednesday, but it had to turn back after 15 minutes because of extreme turbulence, said a spokesman for the Hood River County Sheriff’s Department. The C-130 crew hopes to return Thursday.

Wonder why they keep saying it can fly through anything. Isn't the the same plane they sent up through the eye of hurricanes?

 

[RoughlyCollie]

Reposting links FYI:

http://flashalert.net/news.html?id=624

http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/616247/page/1/fpart/8

http://www.oregonlive.com/

http://www.katu.com/

 

[RoughlyCollie]

A week is a long time with no power, RC, especially with no fireplace.

I can't imagine what it would be like to be in a snow cave for that long -- or even for a day. That is better than no shelter at all, but it's got to be very, very difficult.

After what happened to James Kim, I'm surprised I still have hope for these three guys. I honestly expect them to make it out of there alive and well.

 

[scandi]

OMG it is good to be back here! I about went :crazy: last night. I was writing a post when my power went out with a bang at 9pm. I sat there for a little bit thinking it would come back on, but no such luck! It just came back on about 1pm today, and the heat and TV and Computer and lights are all working and my clocks are all reset! And I actually goa 9 hours of sleep.

What a deal, as I had no batteries in my little radio and not one D battery in the house. Now it has started hailing so hard it is almost white-out and the wind is carrying the hail sideways! Unbelievable, as I thought we had a little window around noon and was hoping they could make headway up on the mountain.

When I got to the office this morning around 8am {can you believe that ;} first thing I asked my boss was if there was any news up on Hood. He told me about a note with a listing of their provisions and of course I thought he had it all mixed up. LOL But no, coming here now I see he was on the ball and correct, and am so glad they left the note that is giving everyone renewed hope.

Unstable weather for sure, but hoping that tomorrow morning will be when the storm up there subsides. Now the sun is shining outside. Crazy but wonderful. And I bet if there's a rainbow it is speckled, as there is no rain, just tiny little hail lightly falling. Really pretty, and maybe a very good sign!

:blowkiss:

Looks like lots of new snow and it's still comin' down.

 

[Buzz Mills]

Wonder why they keep saying it can fly through anything. Isn't the the same plane they sent up through the eye of hurricanes?

The difference is most likely the altitude they are flying at. With Mt. Hood rising to an altitude of 11,239', there is bound to be a lot of turbulence coming up off of the mountain, especially with the winds at that altitude. They are probably attempting to fly around the mountain, relatively close-in, and that wasn't possible. Let's hope they have better success today, although the winds are still high at altitude. The winds are now beginning to subside, so maybe they will have better success this evening. If weather permits, the C-130 should be able to stay on station for most of the afternoon, and evening.

Welcome back Scandi.

 

[Ca-Sun]

Scandi, it is SO GOOD to see you back here. We figured your power was out, and were hoping you were at least warm. Glad you got some sleep and that you are OK.

 

[Ca-Sun]

I can't imagine what it would be like to be in a snow cave for that long -- or even for a day. That is better than no shelter at all, but it's got to be very, very difficult.

After what happened to James Kim, I'm surprised I still have hope for these three guys. I honestly expect them to make it out of there alive and well.

I think it would be incrediby difficult! James Kim had no food, no shelter, and not much in the way of warm clothing. These guys have, at the least, shelter, warm clothing and sleeping bags. Most likely they are out of food at this point. I was reading somewhere that the colder it is, the better for the ice cave as it won't tend to drip and get the clothing wet. I have a lot of hope that these guys will make it.

 

[Buzz Mills]

http://www.nwac.us/mtnweather.htm

http://www.nwac.us/products/OSOTML

Timberline Lodge

MM/DD Hour Temp RH Wind Wind Wind Wind Hour Total 24 Hr Total
PST F % Min Avg Max Dir Prec. Prec. Snow Snow
6000' 6000" 6000' 6000' 6000' 6000' 6000' 6000' 6000' 6000'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
12 15 800 19 98 3 11 22 278 0 .29 10 81
12 15 900 17 97 6 15 33 285 0 .29 10 81
12 15 1000 17 97 5 14 32 280 0 .29 10 81
12 15 1100 17 98 3 13 23 272 0 .29 11 82
12 15 1200 17 98 5 12 24 275 0 .29 11 282
12 15 1300 17 degrees 97 5 12 24mph max 284 0 .29 11 82


12-15-2006
Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area, Oregon

6600' temp affected by morning sun
Wind speed likely not heating and partially rimed 12-15-06

MM/DD Hour Temp Temp RH RH Wind Wind Wind Hour Total 24 Hr Total
PST F F % % Avg Max Dir Prec. Prec. Snow Snow
6600' 5250' 6600' 5250' 6600' 6600' 6600' 5250' 5250' 5250' 5250'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 15 900 15 19 94 96 9 18 291 .04 1.48 4 73
12 15 1000 16 19 94 95 8 19 289 .05 1.53 5 74
12 15 1100 17 20 94 96 6 15 282 .02 1.55 5 72
12 15 1200 16 19 94 95 17 48 284 .08 1.63 5 73
12 15 1300 17 19 94 96 25 48 291 .06 1.69 6 73

 

[scandi]

Thanks Guys,

Last night I looked at a photography site about glaciers which was most interesting. One thing I learned is that many of the mountains in Oregon and SW Wn are only about 4000' in elevation or less. Rainier is higher, but I know Mt Jefferson and the Three Sisters and the mtns in NE Oregon are not.

So Mt Hood is a cat of a different hue being over 11,000; in elevation. And that is what makes it such a great climb. Different challanges attract climbers, and it still is a doable climb even though difficult. I guess climbing up those two trenches filled with glaciers on the N side is quite difficult, and the usual way to go is the one our 3-some took up Elliot.

That site I found showed comparison photos of the Mtn in 1900 and around 2000, showing how the glaciers and tree growth has changed. If anyone wants to read that site I'll post a link.

 

[Sundayrain]

All three wives were on the television early this morning. Holding hands and hugging. It had to be about 4:30AM for them.
They seem to have great hope that the love these men have for their families will keep them going. Will keep them hanging on........
It was such a beautiful interview....it sure made me cry.
I wonder if that plane can make a go of it tomorrow, looks like a better day.

 

[Ca-Sun]

All three wives were on the television early this morning. Holding hands and hugging. It had to be about 4:30AM for them.
They seem to have great hope that the love these men have for their families will keep them going. Will keep them hanging on........
It was such a beautiful interview....it sure made me cry.
I wonder if that plane can make a go of it tomorrow, looks like a better day.

They seem like such strong, loving women. I can't imagine what they are going through at the moment. I just have to believe their husbands will come off the mountain alive.

 

[scandi]

Are there any pressers scheduled? If not the news comes on at 5 and will update up.

 

[RoughlyCollie]

I'm glad you are okay. Did you buy some batteries?

OMG it is good to be back here! I about went :crazy: last night. I was writing a post when my power went out with a bang at 9pm. I sat there for a little bit thinking it would come back on, but no such luck! It just came back on about 1pm today, and the heat and TV and Computer and lights are all working and my clocks are all reset! And I actually goa 9 hours of sleep.

What a deal, as I had no batteries in my little radio and not one D battery in the house. Now it has started hailing so hard it is almost white-out and the wind is carrying the hail sideways! Unbelievable, as I thought we had a little window around noon and was hoping they could make headway up on the mountain.

When I got to the office this morning around 8am {can you believe that ;} first thing I asked my boss was if there was any news up on Hood. He told me about a note with a listing of their provisions and of course I thought he had it all mixed up. LOL But no, coming here now I see he was on the ball and correct, and am so glad they left the note that is giving everyone renewed hope.

Unstable weather for sure, but hoping that tomorrow morning will be when the storm up there subsides. Now the sun is shining outside. Crazy but wonderful. And I bet if there's a rainbow it is speckled, as there is no rain, just tiny little hail lightly falling. Really pretty, and maybe a very good sign!

:blowkiss:

http://www.skihood.com/cams/vista.jpg

Looks like lots of new snow and it's still comin' down.