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

[IdahoMom]

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

You're welcome! Thanks to YOU for sharing!

 

[cwiz24]

Sheriff:
Searching from aircraft will last all day.

Avalanche team is 30 min. away in Salem. They will be called for if the Sheriff decides to do so. But they are not on site right now.

"Hope and optimism are based on fact". And we're approaching a time where some serious considerations need to be made.

Retrieved some photos from Kelly James' camera of the climb and hoping they will help.

Climbers were lightly equipped, but well-equipped.

Brian was considered the most experienced climber of the bunch.

Length of time is critical for transitionaing from SAR to recovery.

 

[cwiz24]

Sheriff:
Last press conference: everyone is volunteering their time at this point. Air searching will continue, but updating press may not. Foot searching is over.

Photo's on James' camera reveal 3 happy guys, trailhead, Eliot Glacier, pictures tell that the climbers were on Gully route to summit, types of packs and equipment.

3 axes have been recovered. Two where the anchor was found and one with James' body.

Tracks show side-by-side walking, unusual for mountain climbers. May indicate one guy trying to help another walk.

Brian Hall's sister:
Expressing appreciation for and confidence in SAR teams.
Asks everyone to keep praying, now more than ever.

 

[RoughlyCollie]

I'd say that the element of danger in bear country depends on the bears. Grizzlies would scare me to death. I've been around black bears in the wild, up close and personal, and never had any problems. I researched them, follow the safety rules, and so forth.

BUT that is not to say that black bears are akin to teddy bears. The ranger had to shoot one last summer because it was aggressive. It refused to leave a camping area populated with many people, reared up on its hind legs, growled, etc.

The ones I've come across, including one who bellied up to our picnic table, scare off easily with noise and arm-waving. I take a large dog and a loud whistle when I'm roaming around on the mountain. The most important thing, I think, is to be educated about the type of bear you will encounter and never to feed the bears (on purpose or inadvertantly).

You are right, though. A lot of people think we are taking a big risk when we spend time in bear country. We aren't, but that's because we are knowledgeable and prepared -- unlike the first time we went. I think our biggest risk comes from people who think the bears are cute and feed them. That accustoms the bears to people, over time, and they have years long memories of where to find food.

We stay in a rustic cabin in the middle of nowhere. There is no way I would camp in bear country in a tent. I've heard too many stories of bears going into tents to find food. I wouldn't want to be in one when that happens.

I guess some would consider my hikes into bear country dangerous and irresponsible too :croc:

 

[RoughlyCollie]

No kidding! I read another site, too, on which the people posted things like you describe. These climbers minimized their risks as much as they could, ran into unforseen horrible weather, and tried to save the life of their climbing partner.

Most people who need rescuing are not mountain climbers -- climbers are a tiny percentage of the rescued. Any of us could need rescuing from an accident.

Those rescuers are either people who are being paid anyway (the armed forces personnel and LE) or volunteers.

Some people have no compassion, sad to say. On the site I read, they are eager to be morally superior and right about their position. I wouldn't want any of those type of people watching my back, that's for darned sure.

The rescuers are loving, selfless, courageous heroes in my book. They not only volunteer to participate in rescues, putting themselves at risk, they also spend a lot of their free time training so they can be more effective.

The two climbers who went for help to save Kelly are heroes too, in my book.

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!!

 

[izzyB]

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

WOW, seeing this now i remember when this was published in the paper, although i did not know the couple at the time. remember the fab house. what a shame.

 

[LaMer]

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

Floh, I heard in one of the new's briefings, and I believe it was Kelly's brother, who said, they all had cell phones, but Kelly was the only one with gps tracking.

 

[Buzz Mills]

Autopsy on Kelly James tentaively scheduled for Wednesday
Officials with the Oregon State Medical Examiners Office said today that they will be performing an autopsy on Kelly James, the 48-year-old climber from Texas who died on Mount Hood.

Dr. Larry Lewman, a deputy state medical examiner based in Clackamas, said the body hasn't arrived but likely is en route. He said he plans to conduct the autopsy on Wednesday.

"It's tentatively set for that date," he said.

http://www.oregonlive.com/newslogs/...e_oregonian_news/archives/2006_12.html#217235

 

[AlwaysShocked]

Not being familiar with these types of incidents, perhaps someone who lives in the area can answer this.

Will there come a time when the authorities will announce that they are not going to search anymore? Do they announce that the climbers are presumed dead, or do they just let people make their own decision?

Do they continue to search for the bodies of missing climbers, or do they wait until Spring, or what?

 

[Buzz Mills]

Not being familiar with these types of incidents, perhaps someone who lives in the area can answer this.

Will there come a time when the authorities will announce that they are not going to search anymore? Do they announce that the climbers are presumed dead, or do they just let people make their own decision?

Do they continue to search for the bodies of missing climbers, or do they wait until Spring, or what?

AS, there is a storm coming in late tonight/early tomorrow that will prevent the search from going forward after it begins. The odds are high that today will be the last day of the formal search.

 

[luvbeaches]

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.

I think some of these people are just thrill seekers. This is how they get their high. I think I read where the deceased was married with children. I don't understand why anyone would do something as risky as this, knowing they would leave a wife and children. Is climbing some mountain in the dead of winter so they can be closer to God (or whatever they said) really worth this? I'd say no, but I guess they didn't think so.

It is too bad the taxpayers have to foot the bill for the rescue. And what's really bad is all the rescuers are putting themselves in danger. Remember the helicopter accident (they keep showing over and over) from another mountain rescue?

I personally think if they are going to climb, they have to understand that they are on their own. Maybe they'd think twice if they knew no one would be looking for them. But maybe not. I think these people sometimes think they are invincible.

Life is short. I know you can be struck by a car (while getting the mail) and killed. But that's a freak accident. Putting yourself in dangerous situations, IMO, is just plain selfish. You are only thinking of yourself. Sometimes you have to think about your family around you and what would happen if you died. That's being an adult.

I agree...the Kim's story is completely different.

I do hope they find the other hikers, and they are safe. My thoughts are will their families.

 

[Floh]

Floh, I heard in one of the new's briefings, and I believe it was Kelly's brother, who said, they all had cell phones, but Kelly was the only one with gps tracking.

Thanks, LaMer. i hadn't realised cell phones/mobiles/handys had to have a GPS tracking system integrated. i had sort of thought they all did.

***

i'm so very low at the apparent outcome of this SAR. such a dreadful shame and of course not due to the sheer will of the SAR teams involved.

it's dangerous game we play. life and all that.

 

[Lurker Steve]

Putting yourself in dangerous situations, IMO, is just plain selfish. You are only thinking of yourself. Sometimes you have to think about your family around you and what would happen if you died. That's being an adult.

So no one with a family should ever put themselves in a dangerous situation - be it climbing, skydiving, or serving in the military?

 

[Floh]

So no one with a family should ever put themselves in a dangerous situation - be it climbing, skydiving, or serving in the military?

Not going to happen. you know that.

we are who we are.

i am what i am.

in my younger days . . .

but now i'm older and wiser and understanding life is finite, i don't take so many risks. at one time, i used to break horses and ride those others would be alarmed at. these days i thoroughly enjoy Peruvian Pasos, but they don't bring the thrill of my past explots.

i suppose i became aware of my mortality. or something.

 

[AlwaysShocked]

Oh, okay. How sad for their families. I suppose there would be some consolation in knowing they were doing what they wanted to do.

So, oftentimes, the bodies of missing climbers are never found?

 

[JDB]

So no one with a family should ever put themselves in a dangerous situation - be it climbing, skydiving, or serving in the military?

:clap: :clap: You know we all should just crawl under a rock and live. Everyday is a risk.I guess Nacar should suspend racing. Football and baseball no more.These men were doing what they loved to do. Thier families knew of the risks they were taking.We all are in a dangerous place any time we get in car. Never know if a Drunk driver is on the road.

I wiuld rather die doing something I loved to do then to die at the hands of a Drunk.It called I choosed todo it.

 

[Melisinde]

Oh, okay. How sad for their families. I suppose there would be some consolation in knowing they were doing what they wanted to do.

So, oftentimes, the bodies of missing climbers are never found?

I was just reading a page earlier on Mount Everest. Some of the bodies are still on the mountain and can be viewed aerially. One of the more famous female climbers who died on a mountain (forget her name and which mountain) died while climbing on one of the world's 8000km+ mountains... and her body is still there, because she told everyone that if she died while climbing, her body should be left there...

 

[Buzz Mills]

Oh, okay. How sad for their families. I suppose there would be some consolation in knowing they were doing what they wanted to do.

So, oftentimes, the bodies of missing climbers are never found?

Somewhere in the previous 4-5 pages of posts I linked a climbing accident history of Mt. Hood for the last 25 years, or so. Yes, bodies of climbers are often not found, or recovered. There's always a chance that they might be found in the spring when some of the snow melts away, but if they are at the bottom of a deep crevasse somewhere, they might never be found.

 

[Karole28]

I really had such high hopes that at least 1 of these men might make it. I guess it's not possible now.

 

[Sundayrain]

I really had such high hopes that at least 1 of these men might make it. I guess it's not possible now.

I had high hopes too Karole.......Its been a very sad story.......