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

[scandi]

Crack me up Ca-Sun! :laugh: That does take the cake. LOL

We'll thanks. I certainly hope we get an answer ;} Scandi

 

[Liz]

Glad to see you all survived the storm!

We had quite a harrowing night here with the high winds, up at 3200' up on this mountain we're on. Our part wolf dog, who is scared of the wind, was scared out of her wits. She jumped up in bed and snuggled in between us and we tried to reassure her, as the winds sounded like a train passing outside our windows. I was praying that the huge ponderosa pine right above our bedroom wasn't going to be uprooted and fall on top of us! So glad the winds have simmered down a bit finally.

I want to thank everyone for the great information and updates, even though I haven't been able to read all the posts yet.

I'm still keeping the faith, and praying for a miracle tomorrow!

 

[Ca-Sun]

Crack me up Ca-Sun! :laugh: That does take the cake. LOL

We'll thanks. I certainly hope we get an answer ;} Scandi

LOL! Well, one person said to look outside! Duh. That would work!

 

[Liz]

As to the question you are asking, Ca-Sun --- I would think that IF the guys hear the C-130 going over, that would be their cue to head out of their snow cave. Except Kelly James, if still alone, is probably unable to do that, of his own accord. I have a feeling he may have a broken leg.

 

[Ca-Sun]

Scandi, glad to see you survived the storm!

We had quite a harrowing night here with the high winds, up at 3200' up on this mountain we're on. Our part wolf dog, who is scared of the wind, was scared out of her wits. She jumped up in bed and snuggled in between us and we tried to reassure her, as the winds sounded like a train passing outside our windows. I was praying that the huge ponderosa pine right above our bedroom wasn't going to be uprooted and fall on top of us! So glad the winds have simmered down a bit finally.

I want to thank everyone for the great information and updates, even though I haven't been able to read them all yet.

I'm still keeping the faith, and praying for a miracle tomorrow!

Poor dog, he was so frightened. Liz, are you in Oregon? I'm glad that pine stayed in the ground! So many are hoping for the 3 climbers to come off the mountain tomorrow, alive. Pray that it happens.

 

[Buzz Mills]

ZONE AVALANCHE FORECASTS

* MT HOOD AREA-
High avalanche danger above 6000 feet and considerable
below, with a locally high danger on mainly northeast
through southeast facing slopes. Avalanche danger
gradually increasing through Friday afternoon but slowly
decreasing Friday night. Further decreasing danger
Saturday becoming considerable above 5000 feet and
moderate below with the greatest danger remaining on
northeast through southeast facing slopes at higher
elevations. Further slowly decreasing danger Saturday
night becoming considerable above 6000 feet and moderate
below.

SNOWPACK SYNOPSIS
A powerful storm moved across the region Thursday and
Thursday night. This system was the strongest in a series of
storms that have affected the Pacific Northwest over the
past five days. Prior to the Thursday’s storm about two to
five feet of snow had fallen at fluctuating freezing levels
earlier in the week. The storm Thursday brought rapidly
rising freezing levels, very strong winds and heavy
precipitation. Most NWAC mountain stations on Mt Hood
received from 2 to 3 inches of water equivalent ending early
Friday. Rain fell to above 7000 feet Thursday followed by
cooling overnight when new snow amounts of 6 to 10 inches
accumulated early Friday. The heaviest precipitation came
late Thursday afternoon and early Thursday night with the
warmest temperatures. This caused widespread natural
avalanches. The current danger has shifted to newly forming
wind slab layers on lee slopes, mainly northeast through
southeast facing, especially at high terrain where winds are
strongest and where triggered slab avalanches remain likely.


FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT
Cooling and continued moderate to heavy snowfall Friday
afternoon along the west slope areas especially, along with
very strong westerly winds should rapidly build new or
additional wind slab layers on lee slopes. These wind slab
layers should gradually develop on lower elevation slopes
through Friday afternoon. On slopes that have not recently
released naturally, slides may initiate in the newest snow
layers and break down to older layers. These slides could be
3 to 6 feet or deeper on heavily loaded slopes. Decreasing
winds late Friday with diminishing snow showers but
continued cooling should allow for a very slow decrease in
the danger. Unstable wind slab layers should persist,
especially on steeper lee slopes at higher elevations,
mainly easterly facing where backcountry travel is still not
recommended at high elevations.

SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT
Remaining cool with light winds and partial clearing. This
should allow for a slow decrease in the avalanche danger.
Newly formed unstable wind slab layers should begin to
slowly settle and consolidate, however, due to the expected
cold temperatures, this process should be slow. Therefore,
continued caution is urged in avalanche terrain and slopes
suspected of receiving recent wind deposited snow should be
avoided.

OUTLOOK SUNDAY
Light winds, continued cool temperatures with no
precipitation expected. This should allow for a further
slowly decreasing danger as previous unstable layers
continue stabilizing. Backcountry travelers should still be
very cautious; especially on lee northeast through southeast
facing slopes at higher elevations and near ridges where
unstable wind slabs may persist.

 

[Liz]

Poor dog, he was so frightened. Liz, are you in Oregon? I'm glad that pine stayed in the ground! So many are hoping for the 3 climbers to come off the mountain tomorrow, alive. Pray that it happens.

Petrified is more like it, Ca-Sun! I don't know what it is about the wind, but she absolutely hates it and gets very anxious. If she's outside when the wind is gusting, its all we can do to get her back inside. We're in North Central Idaho, thankfully to the south of where the really horribly bad weather conditions were. Lots of damage there and in eastern WA. The winds were the worst I've ever witnessed up here. Hubby said he guestimates about 50-60 mph. I wish we had a wind gauge. I'm very glad that pine stayed in the ground, too; else I probably wouldn't be here right now. Thinking about having an arborist out to make sure it's 'snug as a bug in a rug'.


I have not stopped praying for these 3 men, since I heard about them. Last night, as I laid in bed listening to that wind whipping outside, my thoughts went with them. Praying they knew somehow that so many of us are praying for them, and that they know they are not forgotten.

Also, praying for all the rescue teams that are volunteering in the search. May God guide them safely to these stranded climbers. :blowkiss:

I've got high hopes for tomorrow!

 

[RoughlyCollie]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Clackamas County Sheriff's Search & Rescue Teams Returning To Mt Hood Early Saturday - 12/15/06
NEWS RELEASE
CLACKAMAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
2223 SOUTH KAEN ROAD – OREGON CITY, OR 97045

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Oregon City, Oregon)

Friday, December 15, 2006 4:35 p.m.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office continues to participate in the ongoing search and rescue effort that persists on Mount Hood for the three missing climbers. Working in concert, and while assisting the Hood River Sheriff's Office in this search effort, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office will seize the opportunity of forecasted good weather on Saturday to resume the search effort.

Clackamas County Search & Rescue personnel will be assembling once again before daylight early Saturday morning to ascend the mountain in an attempt to locate the missing climbers. The favorable weather conditions predicted on Saturday will hopefully provide the earliest opportunity for Clackamas County Search & Rescue personnel to ascend the mountain; providing access from the south face of Mount Hood, in Clackamas County -- to the desired goal of reaching the summit and perhaps over the summit; enabling access into the triangulated cell phone target area identified earlier in the week by rescue personnel.

To further assist in this mission an avalanche expert, Dale Atkins, has been summoned by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, to lead search and rescue personnel up the mountain on Saturday. Dale Atkins expertise will be a valuable asset insuring added safety to the search and rescue personnel ascending the mountain. This avalanche forecaster has thirty-years of experience and his highly respected in his area of expertise. Please refer to this link for brief a brief bio on Dale Atkins: http://www.ispo-sportsdesign.com/english/forum/presenters/daleatkins/index.html

A ‘Hasty Team' assembled with our avalanche expert, will probe as high on the mountain as weather and avalanche conditions permit. This Hasty Team will be backed-up by support teams, which include additional equipment and members representing American Medical Response – Reach and Treat team personnel (Rat team). This Rat team is highly skilled in accessing patients in these types of challenging conditions.

Of course, the guardian angels of Mount Hood representing Portland Mountain Rescue (PMR) will be the principle members of this search & rescue effort, deploying PMR personnel to the mountain searching all potential routes that may have been used by the missing climbers.

Mountain Wave Radio volunteers are providing all the valuable lines of communications utilized by rescue personnel during this search and rescue mission.

When avalanche conditions and weather permits, these deployed teams will search high elevations -- in the determined high probability areas; which, of course will be a coordinated effort with the Hood River County Sheriff's Office.

Clackamas County Search and Rescue personnel are anxious with the prospect of aerial surveillance being available, with experienced searchers onboard, to search the missing climbers intended ascent and descent routes; in addition to any additional high probability routes the climbers may have used during this climbing expedition. This would include both the north side of the mountain in Hood River County, and the south side of the mountain in Clackamas County.

Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts will be on the mountain once again to monitor the ongoing search effort, and to support all the members participating in this courageous effort.
[/font]

 

[scandi]

Thanks Roughly for the press release. I am impressed, and think they have all the bases covered. I assume the avalanche expert sill be climbing with the team up the south side to the summit and then down into the triangle area.

WOW! I am surprised they are going to have all these men on the ground as well as the air support. It is a full assult on Mother Nature at its best. I never knew the Clackamas County Sheriff Dept had such penache. I used to work at a restaurant across the street and knew many of them well. Dear guys but I had no idea they were so sophisticated. They all loved meat and potatoes and pie! LOL

It has to work tomorrow morning. Meeting before dawn and then probably start their climb at dawn do you think? 5 - 6 hours up. On TV tonight they said if the airplane senses them then the ground crew will start climbing. Think they've been taking a Q from Emerill and have kicked it up a notch! Very serious business here.

It gets light around 7:30am I think. Oh, wouldn't you love to be in a helicopter to watch the whole rescue!


Scandi

 

[Buzz Mills]

12-15-2006
Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center
Timberline Lodge, Oregon

Precip gage not heating 12-15-06

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 0 23 100 9 24 52 265 0 0 -0 71
12 15 100 23 100 7 22 42 267 0 0 -0 71
12 15 200 23 100 7 18 34 269 0 0 0 68
12 15 300 22 99 6 18 37 273 0 0 2 68
12 15 400 21 99 5 15 33 271 0 0 4 73
12 15 500 20 99 6 15 25 273 0 0 5 73
12 15 600 19 98 3 13 26 270 0 0 7 74
12 15 700 18 98 4 12 23 269 0 0 9 77
12 15 800 19 98 3 11 22 278 0 0 10 81
12 15 900 17 97 6 15 33 285 0 0 10 81
12 15 1000 17 97 5 14 32 280 0 0 10 81
12 15 1100 17 98 3 13 23 272 0 0 11 82
12 15 1200 17 98 5 12 24 275 0 0 11 282
12 15 1300 17 97 5 12 24 284 0 0 11 82
12 15 1400 17 97 3 11 26 279 .01 .01 12 82
12 15 1500 15 97 4 10 22 285 0 .01 12 83
12 15 1600 15 97 1 9 32 299 .01 .02 13 83
12 15 1700 15 97 2 10 22 290 .03 .05 13 84
12 15 1800 15 97 1 5 13 286 .02 .07 13 84
12 15 1900 15 97 2 6 12 302 .02 .09 13 84
12 15 2000 14 96 3 9 14 315 .01 .1 13 84
12 15 2100 13 96 4 8 14 323 0 .1 13 84
12 15 2200 12 95 3 7 14 326 .01 .11 13 84
12 15 2300 11 degrees 95 2mph min 5 8mph max 336 0 .11 13 83

The winds have continued to die down, and hopefully the clouds will move out of the area, so they won't interfere with the IR scans, and direct visibility. Is it too much to ask for the sun to come out in the morning. Hoping they heat the cell phone batteries up, to maybe get one more use out of them.

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

 

[Liz]

Thanks for that excellent info about the search planned for later today, RoughlyCollie.

It sure sounds as if the Clackamas County Sheriff has everything well thought-out and planned for.

Between his S&R Team, the avalanche expert - Dale Atkins, the ‘Hasty Team', the Portland Mtn Rescue, and additional support teams; plus the volunteers for comunications, and the aerial surveillance teams - it sounds very encouraging.

I can hardly wait for the search to begin. Gosh, I really hope we get some positive news!

 

[Sundayrain]

Please hold to your courage, trust in your faith.........
We're making progress.....our mission your fate.
There is no wind, sleet, nor snow that could hinder us there.
Our climbers embraced by a nation of prayer.

We follow your message, we're zeroing in. We fought many a mountain, and this we can win.

Your families are strong, they know you'll return. Their eyes tell
a story that many should learn.

Hold your hands up to God, he will see you through......
The mountain won't win....we're coming for you.

The snow has been blinding, the wind and the sleet....
but our boots, and our back pack, stand ready at our feet.

The might of the climbers...like a troop going to war...will push
to go onward, that's a mountaineers call.

We will find you......Lord save you......NO MOUNTAINS TOO TALL.

Sunday

 

[Sundayrain]

This looks like there is finally a day that can be reckoned with.
The families said that these men are men of great faith.
They must know how much their families love them.
Last night on the news was a man who was up there for 17 days in
a snow cave years ago. He came walking out to the rescuers.....!!
He gave the family more courage......they were so delighted to hear
from him. It gave them tears.
They also talked of a small group of teens rescued after quite a long\
span.
I am so faithful that this is the day.......with the weather clearing.
Everyone pray for that please.......Three saved, and three families happy.
Amen.

 

[Sassygerl]

Thanks for that excellent info about the search planned for later today, RoughlyCollie.

It sure sounds as if the Clackamas County Sheriff has everything well thought-out and planned for.

Between his S&R Team, the avalanche expert - Dale Atkins, the ‘Hasty Team', the Portland Mtn Rescue, and additional support teams; plus the volunteers for comunications, and the aerial surveillance teams - it sounds very encouraging.

I can hardly wait for the search to begin. Gosh, I really hope we get some positive news!

YES! I cannot wait for them to get up that mountain!!!!! I have great hopes that they find them alive today!

 

[Love_Mama]

Praying this morning for the safety of all the people involved in this rescue and praying that all three men will be found alive and well.

They'll be starting out soon. It is 5:08 W. Coast time.

xxxxxxxxxxxoooooo
mama :blowkiss: :blowkiss:

 

[Sundayrain]

Great article Ca-Sun. Thanks for all your contributions. Did you read the coment section? I read one from your link I just have to share:

"You never leave a fellow climber/hiker behind or missing unless that's the only life-or-death choice remaining. ("Touching the Void", Into Thin Air", etc.) That's why the SAR folks do what they do: because they care. Deeply. They will not take stupid chances, but they will not give up until they either find their people or they're pulled off the mountain. That's just the way it is, always has been and always will be. It's that simple. It's the Golden Rule. It's Karma. Send a warm and strong light from your heart to each and every person on Mt. Hood. P&L"

This has really become a very personal rescue mission. It seems that so many people that know them or are family or are in the mountaineering business have come forward. I read comments by them in several blogs, the family, of which a large part is now here waiting close to the mountain, has been so genuine and willing to share their feelings and ask the world for prayers. I am so touched by this.

As I always hope, people out there will learn so much from living this experience through these people. Not just about the art and passion of climbing, but how important it is to always have a thorough plan no matter what you do. But it's also about living your life to your fullest potential and still being so humble as to ask for help.

It reminds me of a line from Bob Dillons song, 'Forever Young': . .May you always do for others and let others do for you . .May you climb a stairway to the stars and climb up every rung, and may you stay, Forever Young."

On a practical note, tonight I heard a S&R guy say tomorrow with the end of the storm, it would be up to the stranded men to bust out of their caves to let searchers see where they are. BTW, he also said he was looking at the stars that are out tonight, first time he said he has seen that since the ordeal began.

What I'm wondering is how three guys will know the right time is at hand to leave the caves? Will they be able to tell the storm has passed?

Scandi

Ca-Sun and Scandi.......all these words are so beautifully written........
The world revolves around people helping people, families so spiritually united.....
Today's the day........I'm sure we all feel it.........Climb out of those caves guys...
Time to head home.....

 

[kahskye]

Sundayrain, that was beautiful! You are right, no mountain is too tall!

I've been following this story all week and praying for these three guys to be rescued and reunited w/ their families. I'm staying positive that this is the day they all are found.

 

[RoughlyCollie]

Sunday, all I can say is WOW!

That is a beautiful poem.

RC

Please hold to your courage, trust in your faith.........
We're making progress.....our mission your fate.
There is no wind, sleet, nor snow that could hinder us there.
Our climbers embraced by a nation of prayer.

We follow your message, we're zeroing in. We fought many a mountain, and this we can win.

Your families are strong, they know you'll return. Their eyes tell
a story that many should learn.

Hold your hands up to God, he will see you through......
The mountain won't win....we're coming for you.

The snow has been blinding, the wind and the sleet....
but our boots, and our back pack, stand ready at our feet.

The might of the climbers...like a troop going to war...will push
to go onward, that's a mountaineers call.

We will find you......Lord save you......NO MOUNTAINS TOO TALL.

Sunday

 

[Sassygerl]

Sundayrain that was an incredible poem!

Anyone local know when the trek up will begin?

ETA: sounds like it's begun....I'm so hopeful!

 

[Liz]

YES! I cannot wait for them to get up that mountain!!!!! I have great hopes that they find them alive today!

Thanks for responding, Sassygerl. I feel the same way!


"This is probably going to be an assault from all directions," Capt. Chris Bernard of the 304th Rescue Squadron of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, told The Oregonian. "South side, north side and helicopter."

Source


Sundayrain, thank you for that great and very befitting poem! I Love it!

No Mountain's too tall!