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

[Lurker Steve]

Yes Steve, I hear you. But the extreme sport of Mountainering on the ultimate slopes that were very difficult and primed for danger with every decision and step - that should be for men or women who are on their own with no responsibilities. One slip and that is it! A huge slide down a glacier into oblivion, and who wants to take that ride, especially if you have a partner roped to you.

I read about a famous mountaineer tonight who climbed one of these well known mountains and he disappeared, was lost and his body has never been found. Look at Hyerdahl - he was so great, so supreme in this sport, and got swallowed up on Mt Rainier. Not even Everest. Very dangerous. I look at the walls going straight down, pure vertical from the summit on the north side and I think, well you would have to be on a different plane in life to even think of doing it. Guess I'm :chicken:

Scandi

Well, to give these guys credit, they did know what they were doing. I'd say their only real sin was not having climbed Mt. Hood before, and (from what it sounds like) not taking along someone who had climbed it before. But I hardly think that sounds like a sin.

I'm not sure who you mean by Hyerdahl, but yes, lots of climbers have died... but that's part of the sport. I guess some would consider my hikes into bear country dangerous and irresponsible too :croc:

 

[Buzz Mills]

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[opme]

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_121506_news_hood_survivor.128685ae.html

One man said surviving the elements on Mount Hood is possible -- he and two companions did for 17 days nearly 31 years ago.
Randy Knapp was 18 years old, Matt Meacham and Gary Schneider were both 16 in 1976.
Randy Knapp survived 13 nights on Mt. Hood
They got caught in a storm and after four days of trying to get down the mountain, hunkered down in a snow cave.
That's where they lived for 13 nights.
They made it out okay and Knapp believes it'll happen again.

I am hoping that this will happen again for these 2 missing climbers.. praying for them both and their families.

 

[Floh]

I was actually surprised that there was only one cell phone.

Is it a fact the others didn't have cell phones?

 

[Camper]

Just received this Breaking News on my alerts.

-------------------------------------------------------
AIR NATIONAL GUARD CALLS OFF ITS SEARCH FOR MISSING MOUNT HOOD CLIMBERS


**Watch FOX News Channel or go to http://foxnews.com for more

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Early days of WWII found our Army training men with the 10th Mountain Division, in Colorado mountains, on survival in winter for warfare.

The Mt. Hood men, faced their challenges depending on their own abilities, they really failed to include the reality of the forces of winter, imop.

I cannot totally understand the drive that makes a person do this at such cost to themselves, their families and the folks they put at risk to find them.

How will this experience affect the rest of the world as we know it, I don't know that either.

Will it ever STOP searchers from trying to help, I don't know that either.

Sad for the families, a Christmas they will never ever forget.

.

 

[opme]

Well, to give these guys credit, they did know what they were doing. I'd say their only real sin was not having climbed Mt. Hood before, and (from what it sounds like) not taking along someone who had climbed it before. But I hardly think that sounds like a sin.

I'm not sure who you mean by Hyerdahl, but yes, lots of climbers have died... but that's part of the sport. I guess some would consider my hikes into bear :croc:

Actually I beleieve that Kelly James had climbed Mt Hood several times before.. this was however a first time for the other climbers. Brian Hall was using this in preparation for Everest.

 

[sweetmop]

I think I'd rather die doing something I truly loved and lived for, than in an office of a heart attack or in some nursing home.

Having seen the photos on CascadeClimbers - and knowing some of the views I have seen from the mountains in this area - you're always taking a risk when heading off into the woods, or on a mountain. There are no guarantees in life.

Hi, Lurker Steve, You're exactly right... life has NO guarantees. I'd rather live this life, doing something I love and enjoy and I think that once the shock of all this wears off, it will be a comfort to the families that these men were doing just that. Now, I am not so bold, I'm just not made that way. I have a husband I adore and who adores me also, and we have 3 great kids we think are "it". I am not so bold as to climb mountains. My thrills are my life, my familily and my God. I love my work. I am a nurse and I thrill at seeing a very ill or injured person get well and leave the hospital and go back to their family and their life. That makes me feel closest to God. I have seen miracles, and I do believe in them. But life is fragile, whether climbing mountains or driving yourself to work in the mornings, it's fragile for us all. God's blessings and comfort to those "mountain men" and their loved ones.

 

[Lurker Steve]

The latest PDF:

http://www.oregonlive.com/cgi-bin/p...he.cgi/base/pdf_captions/1166505904155620.pdf

According to this, the cave where James was discovered was the first cave; the second cave was dug after that, presumably on their way down (and closer to their ascent.)

If they are indeed searching only 600 feet from the summit, that is NOT good news

 

[Melisinde]

I secretly want to climb mountains. Maybe just because "it's there" like (I think) Edmund Hilary said. Sometimes life feels so mundane... Did you know it costs about $25,000 for a permit to climb Mount Everest? It's a small price to pay for a dream though....and to say you have climbed Mount Everest??

 

[englishleigh]

I have been reading on another site on which I post, which shall remain nameless...and I am so angry. People on this site have been saying things like the climbers deserved what happened b/c they were too stupid to go climbing in winter or at ALL, and that taxpayers' money shouldn't be used to rescue them, shouldn't be risking the rescuers' lives, etc. How can people be so HEARTLESS?? :furious:
I sure hope none of those people ever need rescuing themselves or have a loved one in peril.
These rescuers love what they do and they are so dedicated to helping people, which is why they go into that line of work, and they WANTED to find and bring these people home to their families. They are willing to take the risk to HELP people. They are ANGELS!!!! To say that they shouldn't be used to do what they are trained and WANT to do, to save other human beings, is ridiculous, IMO.

Prayers to the Hall, Cooke and James families...such a horrible thing to happen, and especially right here at the holidays. Much love to them, and prayers for the souls of these men and prayers for the brave rescuers who risked their lives to find them. I pray Hall and Cooke will still be found, but sadly I don't think they are alive...however, they deserve to be brought home to their families. God bless all involved in this event!!

 

[sweetmop]

I have been reading on another site on which I post, which shall remain nameless...and I am so angry. People on this site have been saying things like the climbers deserved what happened b/c they were too stupid to go climbing in winter or at ALL, and that taxpayers' money shouldn't be used to rescue them, shouldn't be risking the rescuers' lives, etc. How can people be so HEARTLESS?? :furious:
I sure hope none of those people ever need rescuing themselves or have a loved one in peril.
These rescuers love what they do and they are so dedicated to helping people, which is why they go into that line of work, and they WANTED to find and bring these people home to their families. They are willing to take the risk to HELP people. They are ANGELS!!!! To say that they shouldn't be used to do what they are trained and WANT to do, to save other human beings, is ridiculous, IMO.

Prayers to the Hall, Cooke and Kelly families...such a horrible thing to happen, and especially right here at the holidays. Much love to them, and prayers for the souls of these men and prayers for the brave rescuers who risked their lives to find them. I pray Hall and Cooke will still be found, but sadly I don't think they are alive...however, they deserve to be brought home to their families. God bless all involved in this event!!

Beautiful... I agree. God's comfort & blessings to all the family members. :blowkiss: :blowkiss:

 

[Buzz Mills]

Searchers likely have one more day before bad weather sets in on Mount Hood
Searchers may have only a small window of opportunity today to scour Mount Hood for two missing climbers before poor weather conditions creep in.

Forecasters say a storm system is moving in on the mountain and will bring heavy snow and possibly freezing rain on Wednesday.

Today, searchers will use a Piper Super Cub airplane from the Hood River County Sheriff's Office to look along the area near the summit where Jerry "Nikko" Cooke and Brian Hall were trying to find a way off the mountain.

The two Blackhawk helicopters from the Oregon Army National Guard have left and won't continue in the search, said Deputy Sheriff Pete Hughes.

Footprints from a snow cave indicate that the pair may have fallen in a perilous 2,500-foot drop near Eliot Glacier in a place called "the gullies."

Authorities are preparing to launch today's search effort and look by air. Much of the area where the search will target today is perilous and it's not clear yet whether ground crews will be part of the search.

http://www.oregonlive.com/newslogs/...e_oregonian_news/archives/2006_12.html#217163

 

[Buzz Mills]

Search Area Narrows for Missing Climbers

HOOD RIVER, Ore. (Dec. 19) - The search for two climbers missing on Mount Hood narrowed Tuesday to a largely aerial quest over a small, treacherous section of the mountain, which has had up to 10 feet of snow since the men vanished and a companion since found dead near the summit.

The body of Kelly James, 48, of Dallas was removed by helicopter Monday from the 11,239-foot summit after rescue workers winched it up from a snow cave about 300 feet down the steep north side.

Hood River County Sheriff Joe Wampler said James had an "obvious" arm injury. Wampler said the other climbers had likely left their injured companion in the cave to find help, but had to dig a shallow cave of their own on a steep slope as the bad weather worsened.

Wampler said the search for Brian Hall, 47, also of Dallas, and Jerry "Nikko" Cooke, 36, of New York City will continue for now as a rescue effort, not a recovery operation. But more bad weather is expected at midweek and Wampler said the chances for survival are less if the two were without shelter.

"If they did not get in a hole somewhere, we might be beyond survivability periods," Wampler said. "You can last a long time in a hole. So we are looking for a hole."

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/search-area-narrows-for-missing/20061216144309990002?cid=2194

 

[Buzz Mills]

National Guard helicopters won't be used in today's search unless clues reveal climbers whereabouts
The three Oregon National Guard helicopters used to help locate the missing climbers on Mount Hood won't fly today unless authorities running the search find more clues.

Capt. Mike Braibish said search officials have narrowed the search area and will use a fixed-wing aircraft today.

The helicopters, Braibish said, aren't needed because authorities scoured most of the mountain by helicopter over the last few days and using the aircraft wouldn't reveal anything new.

Over the last few days, a CH 47 Chinook and two UH 60 Black Hawks searched the mountain for signs of the three climbers -- Kelly James, Jerry "Nikko" Cooke and Brian Hall.

Air crews located signs of a snow cave on Sunday and ground searchers were dropped in by the Chinook and found another cave, along with James' body. The Chinook lifted his body off Mount Hood on Monday.

But the need for the copters has diminshed, Braibish said. The Chinook returned to its base with the Guard's D Company 113th Aviation Batallion in Pendleton. The Black Hawks went back to Salem to the base of the 1042nd Medical Company.

"It's a natural progression in the search based on the process of elimination," Braibish said. "We eliminate those areas on the mountain if we don't find them. We have eliminated all those areas that needed a visual search from helicopters."

Braibish emphasized that the Guard helicopter crews from one of the Black Hawks on standby and will return to Mount Hood if necessary.

http://www.oregonlive.com/newslogs/...e_oregonian_news/archives/2006_12.html#217185

 

[mikesmom1989]

for some odd reason, my pc wont let me copy a link, but if you go to dallasnews.com & type in the search boxkelly and karen james home, it will bring you to the story & pics of their recent home renovation, sadly i think it was completed not too long ago -- its a must see, pics show them still looking like newlyweds, they seemed to have a beautiful life together

they seemed to have it all.... so very sad, article gives some insight into their lives. kelly did much of the designing and all of the landscape design & karen painted. i hope kelly's family can find some peace & i am remaining unreasonably optimistic on nikko & brian
so very, very tragic

 

[cwiz24]

News conference in a couple minutes. I'll try to take down anything new and/or important, but I won't repeat things we already know.

 

[cwiz24]

Last briefing for the press (ever, I guess)

Sheriff: Arm injury was a shoulder dislocation.
Mt. Hood is clear, blue skies and calm this morning.
Fixed wing aircraft will be up today.
Ground teams are on the ready if needed.
Transition day for SAR--sheriff will be debriefing with all his teams today to get as much intel as possible about what he needs to do.
Wants to get an avalanche team in there to "poke around".

 

[IdahoMom]

for some odd reason, my pc wont let me copy a link, but if you go to dallasnews.com & type in the search boxkelly and karen james home, it will bring you to the story & pics of their recent home renovation, sadly i think it was completed not too long ago -- its a must see, pics show them still looking like newlyweds, they seemed to have a beautiful life together

they seemed to have it all.... so very sad, article gives some insight into their lives. kelly did much of the designing and all of the landscape design & karen painted. i hope kelly's family can find some peace & i am remaining unreasonably optimistic on nikko & brian
so very, very tragic

Thanks Mikesmom, for the heads up on the article. Here are pictures of their beautiful home: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/pt/slideshows/2006/07/072506remodel/

Here's the link to the article:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/features/housegarden2/072806ccwchgjameshouse.2e453b.html

snip

...Kelly also felt he had arrived after hitting it off with Karen. An avid mountaineer and rock climber, Kelly had been luring Karen on his rugged expeditions after the couple first met.
On one trip to the snowy summit of Mount Rainier in 1999, Kelly surprised her with a proposal.

"I sat her on this boulder and asked her what she was doing for the rest of her life," says Kelly. Karen was stunned at first and then started crying.

"I was completely surprised," she says. "You're at 10,000 feet in a parka with no makeup. You're not thinking proposal. I was so happy, though."

 

[mikesmom1989]

Thanks Mikesmom, for the heads up on the article. Here are pictures of their beautiful home: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/pt/slideshows/2006/07/072506remodel/

Here's the link to the article:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/features/housegarden2/072806ccwchgjameshouse.2e453b.html

thanks so much, i wanted so much to share but my comp would not cooperate

 

[cwiz24]

Helicopters can't do anymore at this point, besides maintaining visual vigilance. They have been sent home. Fixed wing will maintain vigilance. But helicopters will be on standby, just in case.

Sheriff doesn't know how much this has all cost.

Metal detectors and listening devices may be used.

Sheriff will not recommend other recreational climbers not climb Mt. Hood. But he says at this time of year, it is more risky because rescue is so difficult.

Worried about impending storm. Will put SAR on hold if it's as bad as it seems.