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

[JDB]

Hi Eemcee, Here is a link, and just scroll down past the first set of photos to iain's post:

http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/620496/page/1/nt/11/fpart/3

BTW, that first photo showing the Y of rope is correct in this vertical position, as the Sheriff said in a news conf. that this is the way it is on the mountain. That Y supported or anchored a fire watch shack that was there for years on that ledge and is now gone. But I think the mesh anchor is very close to it. Just think, these forest rangers had to climb up to the shack to watch for fires! Of course in the summer there isn't as much snow there.

Scandi

Scandi: I think what you think iks strecth is actaully where the snow fall has covered the ropes.

 

[AlwaysShocked]

I did not know that it was thought that a bear had pushed James Kim into the water! Where could I find that link?

I was searching for a link to this using google and found this story about the confusion during the rescue efforts: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/11663313078330.xml&coll=7&thispage=1

Not too flattering to some of those involved!

 

[emmcee]

Awesome photos. Thanks so much for sharing the link. Amazing that the footprints are still identifiable after being in blowing snow - I don't suppose it's possible to tell whose footprints they are?

This story has me captivated (as it has everyone else) - I would never have the nerve to be a mountaineer (and am far too old now), but I've always enjoyed adventure/survival stories, and this is a good one. I do admire those who have the passion to be adventurerous.

I even looked up 'how to build a snow cave' knowing that I'd never use the information - - it's pretty fascinating.

Anyway thanks again for the link.

 

[scandi]

Scandi: I think what you think iks strecth is actaully where the snow fall has covered the ropes.

Hi ya big CowboW LOL No, I was looking at the photo taken by the poster over there of the mesh anchored to the ice and snow. Just before where that webbing takes a turn up where that rock is, you will see a little stretch in the webbing.

I think the Sheriff thinks the 2 men fell from close to the shelter they carved that was not a real cave and located by the two anchors, the Y and the webbing one they had made. On that ledge in the photo of the Y it looks to me like 2 people went off that ledge and that the climber behind was pulled over, going off close to where the first one went off. But I am just surmising. I only know about climbing from what I have read on these forums.

Scandi

 

[hipmamajen]

Hi Buzz, Reading this morning I learned that there are several climbers who have died climbing Mt Everest, and from the air many of their bodies can be seen. I think their families have elected to have that be their firnal resting place since they loved the mountain so much.

My understanding is that there are many places on Mt. Everest where there's just no way to retrieve bodies. A helicopter landed above the Khumbu ice falls (twice) in 1996 to rescue Makalu Gau and Beck Weathers, but that was extremely unusual and would not be repeated just to fly out a body as it was so incredibly dangerous. Helicopters fly into base camp (below the ice falls) with some regularity, but even then the air is so thin that it's difficult to get lift and accidents are commonplace.

People have physically dragged living but injured climbers down, yet as we know from last year's debacle, people will also pass by a fallen climber in their attempt to summit. Sir Edmund Hillary ripped them a new icehole for that one (har! sorry, couldn't help it...)

The mountain is littered with bodies (and tons of litter as well! Torn up tents, spent oxygen bottles, etc.) People often write of passing the bodies of climbers they know from other expeditions.

So, families know going in that if their loved ones die on such a high climb, that it's unlikely they will get their remains to bury.

I'm not a big Everest expert or anything, I just like to read about the expeditions. I don't climb, but the stories of the climbers always fascinate me For the last couple of years I've been devouring everything I can find on the subject, these high altitude climbers truly are a remarkable breed...

 

[scandi]

Interesting post Hipmamajeng, and I do agree they are remarkable people. The thought of looking down a vertical drop leaves me weak in the knees just as I sit here!

What was last years debacle? Scandi

 

[scandi]

Hi AlwaysShocked, I don't have time to go and get it now or I would for you {work is calling :banghead: LOL}, but if you go to the Kim's thread about the family of four being lost, on the last few pages you will find that post of Buzz's that tells about this. I don't remember there being a link, so ne might have heard it in TV commentary.

Scandi

 

[Sassygerl]

My understanding is that there are many places on Mt. Everest where there's just no way to retrieve bodies. A helicopter landed above the Khumbu ice falls (twice) in 1996 to rescue Makalu Gau and Beck Weathers, but that was extremely unusual and would not be repeated just to fly out a body as it was so incredibly dangerous. Helicopters fly into base camp (below the ice falls) with some regularity, but even then the air is so thin that it's difficult to get lift and accidents are commonplace.

People have physically dragged living but injured climbers down, yet as we know from last year's debacle, people will also pass by a fallen climber in their attempt to summit. Sir Edmund Hillary ripped them a new icehole for that one (har! sorry, couldn't help it...)

The mountain is littered with bodies (and tons of litter as well! Torn up tents, spent oxygen bottles, etc.) People often write of passing the bodies of climbers they know from other expeditions.

So, families know going in that if their loved ones die on such a high climb, that it's unlikely they will get their remains to bury.

I'm not a big Everest expert or anything, I just like to read about the expeditions. I don't climb, but the stories of the climbers always fascinate me For the last couple of years I've been devouring everything I can find on the subject, these high altitude climbers truly are a remarkable breed...

Just a heads up the finale to Everest: Beyond the Limit is on Discovery tonight at 10/ET. Last week I was glued to the TV....it ended with 2 climbers very low on oxygen continuing to climb up the mountain, even though they were being told over and over to come back down. Tonight will be just as intense I'm sure!!!!!

ETA: last week they zoomed in on a dead climber...so sad

 

[hipmamajen]

What was last years debacle? Scandi

I was wrong, it was earlier this year, not last year :doh:

Here's a recent article about the story.

"On his third Everest attempt, David Sharp collapsed only an hour from camp," ExplorersWeb wrote in a scathing report. "Close to 40 climbers passed him by, most from a large commercial expedition. Although he moved, sat up and talked on several occasions, no rescue was attempted."

"My name is David Sharp, I am with Asian Trekking," Sharp told the documentary crew, who were then ordered by Brice from base camp below to switch off their cameras and descend.

Later in the night, Sharp died in the cold, alone, though he was just one hour’s climb from the warmth of a high camp.

After this, Sir Edmund Hillary just ripped into the climbers for their actions. (article here) People did have to look after their own physical safety, but one of the climbers was saying that he wasn't qualified to render aid. Um, did he think the EMTs were coming? High altitude climbing has risks that we wouldn't dream of down here where the oxygen is plentiful, and sometimes folks have to be left for dead so others can get to safety, but this was apparently pretty callous even by Everest standards.

 

[Buzz Mills]

Just a heads up the finale to Everest: Beyond the Limit is on Discovery tonight at 10/ET. Last week I was glued to the TV....it ended with 2 climbers very low on oxygen continuing to climb up the mountain, even though they were being told over and over to come back down. Tonight will be just as intense I'm sure!!!!!

ETA: last week they zoomed in on a dead climber...so sad

Sg, I have been watching bits and pieces of the Discovery program, and it is easy to understand how, in that environment, that reasoning goes out the window. I think most climbers feel that they only have a very, very, limited number of chances at Everest, and they don't give up very easily.

 

[hipmamajen]

Just a heads up the finale to Everest: Beyond the Limit is on Discovery tonight at 10/ET.

I've been watching this! I didn't realize these were some of the same climbers who passed the dying man until I saw that recent article.

I do respect these climbers. I don't "get" the particular draw of the mountains, but I understand wanting something so much that you're willing to work that hard to acheive it.

 

[hipmamajen]

Sg, I have been watching bits and pieces of the Discovery program, and it is easy to understand how, in that environment, that reasoning goes out the window. I think most climbers feel that they only have a very, very, limited number of chances at Everest, and they don't give up very easily.

John Krakauer explains in his book Into Thin Air how it's not just the desire to get to the summit, but that up that high everyone is somewhat mentally deficient because of the lack of oxygen to the brain. He tells about how, even with supplemental oxygen, your brain just isn't nearly as capable as it is normally, and he tells a few stories to illustrate this. It sounds like it's sort of a "blind leading the blind" situation up there. That was a really fascinating book.

 

[JDB]

Hi ya big CowboW LOL No, I was looking at the photo taken by the poster over there of the mesh anchored to the ice and snow. Just before where that webbing takes a turn up where that rock is, you will see a little stretch in the webbing.

I think the Sheriff thinks the 2 men fell from close to the shelter they carved that was not a real cave and located by the two anchors, the Y and the webbing one they had made. On that ledge in the photo of the Y it looks to me like 2 people went off that ledge and that the climber behind was pulled over, going off close to where the first one went off. But I am just surmising. I only know about climbing from what I have read on these forums.

Scandi

Scandi: I need to look at the pics again.To be honest with you I have a feeling the windstrom last weekend did the other two in. I was hoping for a different ending but I really think they were blown off the MT.

 

[Sassygerl]

Sg, I have been watching bits and pieces of the Discovery program, and it is easy to understand how, in that environment, that reasoning goes out the window. I think most climbers feel that they only have a very, very, limited number of chances at Everest, and they don't give up very easily.

So true. After 47 days trying to reach the top I can understand the frustration that comes with being told to turn around....but running out of oxygen.....OMG. They seem to not think clearly at that altitude. Tonight should be intense....hopefully they both turn around!

 

[sweetmop]

I believe i will always think of the courage of James Kim. What a beautiful and strong man.

the three men for this thread, they are also, and not least, important in the extreme. as are, and almost most for, their families.

i do believe i must stay away from such threads on the future as my heart is truly broken and i'm not even a friend or family member.

my love goes to all the lost out there in the wide yonder.

Floh, The words you have written are just so sweet. You say exactly how I am feeling also. I am heart-broken for what these men endured, and for the families who are now grieving their loss. I really get too involved , I guess. I'm not friend or family to them either but I sure feel as though I am. It's all sooooo sad. Plus, it's Christmas time. Won't Christmas forever be changed for these families?

 

[sweetmop]

I did not know that it was thought that a bear had pushed James Kim into the water! Where could I find that link?

I was searching for a link to this using google and found this story about the confusion during the rescue efforts: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/11663313078330.xml&coll=7&thispage=1

Not too flattering to some of those involved!

Oh my goodness, I'd not heard this!!! So so very sad. Thanks so much for posting this link, AlwaysShocked.

 

[Buzz Mills]

Oh my goodness, I'd not heard this!!! So so very sad. Thanks so much for posting this link, AlwaysShocked.

The alleged LE debacle during the Kim search had been playing on the local news here; I think Scandi probably heard it about the same time I did. They had on the main spokesman, during the Kim ordeal, the Oregon State Police guy, can't remember his name, but he said it was all news to him, because he wasn't at all aware of any problems with the Undersheriff at the time. Some people have to make a name for themselves by shooting down others in hindsight. Admittedly, there are always improvements that can be made, but wouldn't it be nice if someone didn't always have a chance to air their grudges, to a reporter who is doing his best to try and stir up the pot, under the guise of investigative reporting.

 

[Peter Hamilton]

Final episode of Everest Beyond The limit is highly dramatic--one climber had to leave another to die--They also showed some of the 200 bodies up there--terrible sight---The first double amputee,a man with no legs actually made it to the summit and got back safely--many others had to turn back at 28,000 feet, some frostbite is feared

 

[dark_shadows]

I just heard on the news that many talk shows and other media are still trying to set up interviews with the missing members families. They were told to stop or they would be "shut off".

Respectfully,
dark_shadows

 

[Buzz Mills]

I just heard on the news that many talk shows and other media are still trying to set up interviews with the missing members families. They were told to stop or they would be "shut off".

Respectfully,
dark_shadows

Every media outlet won't stop trying to get a piece of the grieving families. It used to be that grieving families could gain some privacy during times like this; not so, anymore. It's a different world these days, and it isn't all good.