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

[LaMer]

The press conf. was about 30 min ago and the sheriff mentioned the arm injury, then a reporter asked, "like a broken arm?" and he replied, "yes".

Reporter on Fox just now confirmed the broken arm And to imagine him trying to dig a second cave....too much.

Thank you Sassygerl, it's that dang phone ringing, always at the wrong time!

I can vouch, a broken arm can be very very painful. I can't imagine the one I had and not being able to take some pain pills. Mine was broken near my shoulder, horrible! Oh my, what he must have had to endure, along with being freezing to death, and not being able to get down from the mountain and thinking of his loved ones.
-big sigh-hypothermia-dehydration-altitude problems-just mentioned by the guests on H & C.

 

[Sassygerl]

Not sure if this has been posted, but the Oregonian posted a map:

http://tinyurl.com/tj9qh

FYI, the CascadeClimbers discussion has a new link:
http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/620496/page/1/nt/3/fpart/1

Thanks for the map! It now all makes sense what I was looking at on TV LOL OMG I am so worried those other 2 went over the side

 

[luvbeaches]

Here we go again. Why, oh why, do people do this? Such a sad story. Please read more at the link:

"Rollins said conditions on the mountain were deadly. There is "very hard ice, coupled with very high winds. You have a lot of snow on very hard ice. There is no easy way off the mountain," he said. "


http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=nation_world&id=4842502

This is really a sad thing, but I was thinking the same thing. What is it about some people who seem to thrive on risky situations? But the really sad thing about this situation is when they have to be rescued, those coming to help with the search have to put themselves in danger.

I know things happen, and people are put in situations that go bad quick. But to climb a mountain this time of year, is nuts.

Why, oh why, do people continue to do these sorts of things??? I wonder if they'd continue this behavior if they knew there would be no rescue teams hunting for them?

I do hope the other two are found alive. I also hope that everyone who is putting their life on the line to find them, will be safe.

 

[sweetmop]

" Kelly always told us that's when he felt closest to God, when climbing, and that's why he did it."... from Kelly James' brother's statement this afternoon after the positive id. Rest in peace ...

 

[annrulefan]

This is horrible. My former bosses son Trevor Stokol was lost in Nepal last year and never found. They searched for over a week, and had to pay for much of the search themselves. This brings back a lot of memories, however this has received so much more media attention. Why do some stories get tons of coverage, and others so little? Trevor was only 25, and was due to start medical school when he returned for his trip.

 

[Pepper]

This is really a sad thing, but I was thinking the same thing. What is it about some people who seem to thrive on risky situations? But the really sad thing about this situation is when they have to be rescued, those coming to help with the search have to put themselves in danger.

I know things happen, and people are put in situations that go bad quick. But to climb a mountain this time of year, is nuts.

Why, oh why, do people continue to do these sorts of things??? I wonder if they'd continue this behavior if they knew there would be no rescue teams hunting for them?

I do hope the other two are found alive. I also hope that everyone who is putting their life on the line to find them, will be safe.

I agree with everything you are saying. I really don't understand why they chose to climb in December when the weather is so unpredictable?

I also wonder how much all this is costing the Oregon taxpayers? Seems like there ought to be some way climbers would have to post a bond or buy special insurance, or sign something making them financially responsible should a rescue be necessary.

This situation is altogether different than what happened to the Kim family. They (Kims) were the victims of poor signage. They didn't intentionally put themselves in danger.

 

[scandi]

I don't think it is as costly as we think. I was just reading on a site for the North Cascade Mountains up in Washington state, and 17 rescues from their mountains in one year cost just a bit over $20,000. That's about $1175 per rescue on the average.Mt Hood has an average of 20-24 rescues a year so they spend more, but it is all relative. And they said half of that cost is for helicopters.

Scandi

 

[LinasK]

This situation is altogether different than what happened to the Kim family. They (Kims) were the victims of poor signage. They didn't intentionally put themselves in danger.

Well... They did in that they elected to try to make it to the coast at night in bad weather and chose another route. Had they had the good sense to spend the night in Roseburg or Grant's Pass, he'd probably still be alive. JMHO

 

[RoughlyCollie]

According to a searcher posting on Cascade Climbers, the Y thing was an anchor used to anchor a shack that used to be up there, not something put there by the climbers.

Hi Sassygerl,

We were wrong about that as the cave situation about which was which was confusing.

The first cave they built on Friday that was nicely made was where they left Kelly James. It was the one they all stayed in that first night before the others left Sat morning to go for help. This is also the cave that Kelly died in and where they found him.

What I'm not sure of now is where the circular pattern of tracks were, but they must have been outside of the big cave that the searchers found last. He was delireous and must have gone outside after the guys didn't come back as soon as he thought they should.

So the cave they built after they left Kelly was not really a cave but a carved out space to tuck in away from the wind. It is shown in that photo with the rope arrow. And it is the photo that shows the arrow going up and down not sideways as we first saw it. The Sheriff pointed that out today. Up to the right of that Y you see a ledge with a big rock. And you can see their footprints as they came over the cornice of ice and snow above that rock and then where they walked across that ledge.

Where they tucked in is shown to the right of that rock, and you see all their footprints and tracks right there. They then made the Y with the rope and left the extra ice pics, etc in that little hollowed out space. And then they dont't know what they did as I don't think there are any other tracks out of there, so they might have used that anchor and went down the mountain, then slipped. That Y is right at the tip of the Elliot Glacier that is closest to the summit.

Scandi

 

[RoughlyCollie]

In the Kim's case, I think that "good sense" would better be called "hindsight".

I'm pretty sure they had no idea of the risk they were taking.

Well... They did in that they elected to try to make it to the coast at night in bad weather and chose another route. Had they had the good sense to spend the night in Roseburg or Grant's Pass, he'd probably still be alive. JMHO

 

[Taximom]

" Kelly always told us that's when he felt closest to God, when climbing, and that's why he did it."... from Kelly James' brother's statement this afternoon after the positive id. Rest in peace ...

There was one aerial shot tonight where you could see the landscape from the view of being on the mountain and it was breathtaking. I could understand feeling close to God if I were up there viewing that.

I'll never understand the risk though. :waitasec:

 

[reb]

pepper-- i totally agree with you. i think that if people want to climb an ice and snow covered mountain in the middle of winter, they should pay a deposit in advance for any necessary rescues. not to be hard-hearted, it's just the reality. where does end, and how much do climbers expect of society, in their quest for personal glory?
feeling 'close to god' by climbing a huge, risky mountain is one thing, but in the middle of december?? why...??? is life not challenging enough already? i'm sorry... but if so many people want to play with fire this way, the odds are that once in a while, someone's going to lose.

that being said, i'm glad they are no longer suffering and i hope the families can come to terms with their deaths.

 

[Buzz Mills]

A search, if any, tomorrow, will probably be limited to an aerial search using helicopters, such as they did today. The target areas which include Eliot Glacier, the Gullies, and the Newton Clark Glacier are all deemed areas too dangerous for search teams to go into on foot. There doesn't seem to be much that anyone can do at this point. This is a sad time in any search.

 

[Mygirlsadie]

Reb you say you hope the families can come to terms with their deaths. Did they find the other two dead? I have alot of catch-up reading to do so I might of missed something here but I havent heard that they found the other two yet.

pepper-- i totally agree with you. i think that if people want to climb an ice and snow covered mountain in the middle of winter, they should pay a deposit in advance for any necessary rescues. not to be hard-hearted, it's just the reality. where does end, and how much do climbers expect of society, in their quest for personal glory?
feeling 'close to god' by climbing a huge, risky mountain is one thing, but in the middle of december?? why...??? is life not challenging enough already? i'm sorry... but if so many people want to play with fire this way, the odds are that once in a while, someone's going to lose.

that being said, i'm glad they are no longer suffering and i hope the families can come to terms with their deaths.

 

[reb]

not yet, but at this point they may never be found.
they found some of their equipment today- an anchor and a broken rope, i believe- in an area known as 'the gullies'-- where there is a steep slope and a huge cliff where quite a few people have died over the past several decades... so they are thinking they probably fell to their deaths. since the found the one man dead i think everyone knows the reality of the situation... they have been out there in the elements for over a week, and even if they found shelter in a cave (and, in 100 mph winds.....??????) chances are extremely slim-to-none for survival. they don't want to keep risking the lives of the rescuers by continuing to search in dangerous conditions.

 

[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.

Dear Sweetmop,:blowkiss:
Thank-you so much.
Respectfully,
dark_shadows

 

[Mygirlsadie]

Oh ok well that clears it up then. So now its pretty much like we just need to face reality.. I just don't understand why experianced climbers such as these would venture out near the gullies I am quite positive they knew the dangers of the gullies.

not yet, but at this point they may never be found.
they found some of their equipment today- an anchor and a broken rope, i believe- in an area known as 'the gullies'-- where there is a steep slope and a huge cliff where quite a few people have died over the past several decades... so they are thinking they probably fell to their deaths. since the found the one man dead i think everyone knows the reality of the situation... they have been out there in the elements for over a week, and even if they found shelter in a cave (and, in 100 mph winds.....??????) chances are extremely slim-to-none for survival. they don't want to keep risking the lives of the rescuers by continuing to search in dangerous conditions.

 

[Taximom]

Are lost climbers on Mt Hood found 100% of the time, dead or alive? Or if you fall into one of those gullies, you might not ever be located?

I hope they are alive, but I'm losing hope. I don't want to lose hope, but everytime I run from my home to my car (brrr) I think of them in much colder and harsher environment and wonder how they might make it this long.

I know, miracles can happen.

 

[Mygirlsadie]

I'm like that too ..everytime I go outside and feel cold and try to hurry back in the house I think of James Kim.. cold wet hungry lost....still breaks my heart.

Are lost climbers on Mt Hood found 100% of the time, dead or alive? Or if you fall into one of those gullies, you might not ever be located?

I hope they are alive, but I'm losing hope. I don't want to lose hope, but everytime I run from my home to my car (brrr) I think of them in much colder and harsher environment and wonder how they might make it this long.

I know, miracles can happen.

 

[scandi]

There was one aerial shot tonight where you could see the landscape from the view of being on the mountain and it was breathtaking. I could understand feeling close to God if I were up there viewing that.

I'll never understand the risk though. :waitasec:

Yes Taximom, but I know you well by now, and you would never put that exultation in front of the love and responsibility you have for your family.

I just wrote a post about this and lost it. That could mean I was wrong about what I was saying. I still feel that way though.

This extreme sport is a fantastic one. It is also a very selfish one, motivated by savoring every spark of the experience to beat defeat, and let the fear that could devestate you turn into your reason for living when you beat it and succeed in your climb. Living on the edge.

To be married, have 4 children, a life so blessed with a wife who adores you - or maybe she doesn't. I don't know. In that place in life why would you risk dying, when any wrong move on your part might send you to your death on the mountain.

And I am sorry he has died. I never thought he would, that he was somehow invincible to failure on the mountain. Such a great guy, and tried, tested and proofed on so many summits. Yes. But he did fail, tripped or whatever and broke his arm and was then a burden to the other climbers he was with. And this is what he chose in life, to satisfy his needs and feel closest to God when he was on the mountain.

I just hope his wife accepted him for what it was that she loved, and took her place as second and it didn't matter what place she was. Everyone does what they have to or want to do in living their life. I just think how unfair for the children he had.

Their children had no choice in choosing a father who loved the sport so much, but knew in a heartbeat that one wrong move and that could be it for this life on earth. And that happened.

If you want me to delete this I will. I just had to say something. Thank goodness I stopped, as I could have said a few more things.