Mt. Hood Lost Climbers: Their Neighbors and Friends Speak-out in Blog
December 15, 2006
If any of you would like to know more about the personal lives of the lost climbers on Mt. Hood, I have dug up a great article and Blog where friends and neighbors are posting their thoughts. What I find interesting is the personal tone to this. It is a great read and will clue you in a little bit to the lives they lead.
Blog by Meredith Land: Missing Hiker Brian Hall
Friends and Neighbors Discussion on Mt. Hood Incident
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If indeed it it was James Kelly found near the summit. I do not understand why they continue to focus on the North slope. The North slope is by far the nore diificult. It is a good assumption that the 3 were together when Kelly dug in. The logical retreat for the remaining is over the summit and down the easier South slope. You would not try to climb back down the toughest side when you were that close to the top. Ny guess is they are buried in the snow somwhere on the South slope between thw summit and the treeline.
I was up on mt. hood snowshoeing yesterday (sunday). We were in a clearing and had a perfect view of the South side of the mt. hood. We were watching all of the helicopter activity searching for the climbers and all of the sudden I saw a flash that looked like a shiny mirror reflection…like a mirror calling for HELP. It came from about half way down the mountain and right in the middle. I hope they look on the south side. They could be stuck and unable to walk. I thought about it all night and hope this info can be passed on.
Very concerned!
Patti
I wonder if the rescuers left some supplies and food in the cave with the sleeping bag just in case the other two would come back for shelter. Perhaps this is customary for rescuers? Maybe they left the sleeping bag and ice picks and the “Y” symbol to let folks know, we’ll be back here if we cannot find a way out.
How does this usually work when doing a search and rescue?
the Y is not a symbol it’s an anchor that climbers use to “anchor” them to the mountain. Please be aware that the talking heads don’t know everything there is to know about climbing.
Thanks Maggie. Heaven forbid the “Talking Heads” would ever actually get mud on the boots……most of ‘em anyway.
Condolences to the families of the mountain climbers, And I hope the other two are found safe, however if you participate in a ‘Very High Risk’ recreactional activity don’t be shocked when this Happens. However you are also putting the lives of the Resuers at risk and to satisfy your own selfice needs. They should pay an Insurance to cove the cost of rescue and if it’s too dangerous for Rescue teams then they should be left till the weather is safer. Try jumping out of a plane if you need an Adrenilie rush, then you will be easier to find if the chute doesn’t open, don’t play at the foot of an Avalanche unless your an Idiot!
Those who are quick to judge about climbing being stupid or just for the thrills or what have you don’t have the experiences to make such a judgement call. I’m no climber, but I have taken an intensive climbing class and I made it halfway up hood before my partner and I had to turn back because of white-out. Never in my life have I seen such beauty as that of the outdoors, including the rugged impossible beauty of mountains, ice, and snow. The peace you feel up there is indescribable and not fathomable to people who have not had climbing experiences. It may be hard for some to understand what could make someone want to risk life and limb to climb, but the power is addictive and to experience beauty like that…it turns the experience into a personal achievement. Climbing is different than other activities. One depends on partners and so you form bonds with those people and then one also has to have a serious sense of self and to know oneself. Mountain climbing provides an unbelievable sense of pride. It just isn’t fair to call it stupid or careless or reckless. I consider what most people do everyday far worse…going to the bar, getting drunk, watching tv, wasting time. Mountain climbing is never a waste of time. Peace.
My opinion: It’s the same as the Kim rescue. They wait one week until it’s a massive media story before an all out effort. All too late. They ignore clues about other possibilities. Like the South Side. Did they check the chasm on the south side?
I’m not a climber but I can understand the drive some have to experience the physical, mental and spiritual exhilaration of a successful mountain climb. What I don’t understand is why these climbers didn’t rent the reportedly $5/day beacon/GPS apparently available at Timberline Lodge. Yes they did a lot right, but this was probably a fatal mistake. Henceforth,not only can everyone make damn sure that climbers know about taking tracking devices with them to ensure they can be located, someone should make it mandatory as well as other safety procedures like signing in/notes at ranger stations, etc. When you can rent these devices so cheap, there’s no excuse. I’d also like to see available some sort of freeze proof spray paint- maybe neon orange Glow in the dark- that climbers in trouble could mark rocks, snow or trees with to give a visual heads up. I’m not blaming anyone here, as I know you do the best you can. Even at this late date, and with the poor prognosis, they could still be alive, and as mentioned by another, I hope they check the South side too…makes more sense..maybe the only sense. Fingers crossed and prayers. Anne H., Greensboro, NC
Everyone says they were expert mountain climbers yet I wonder if they really where. They left no margin for error..either in their equipment or palnning. A strom ( which is common this time of year) and an injury and they were done.Its sad no doubt but I wish they would have consulted with some local there first.
Editor’s response to Steve: I have not claimed that they were “expert” climbers, just that they were previously experienced on some pretty big climbs. The Mt. Hood climb was suppose to be a training session, which was going to lead to Mt. Everest in the coming year.
As a current Portlander originally from Dallas, I knew Kelly James well and worked alongside of him in a small design firm for the years prior to relocating to the NW.
Kelly was a lovely person, as are his children and family.
I am saddened that having left Texas 11 years ago, with minimal contact with old friends since, that I hear of this tragedy in my own backyard.
I was recently married in Mt. Hood, OR and we have many photos with the North slope in the immediate background - I will always think of him everytime I see these photos.
My heart is broken and aches for his family and close friends, God be with you.
Kelly James, I am glad to have known you and have had you in my life for what seems like such a short time; in your memory and honor.
Your friend, Melissa Bernard Moshofsky
Benefit for Jerry: NYC 1/17/07.
Jerry’s friends and fraternity brothers are having a benefit on 1/19/07 in NYC. We intend to make the funds available to Jerry’s wife to use as she deems fit. If anyone would like to attend or send a donation, please contact me.
Cory
CoryRosenbaum@aol.com
Glad i am not an Oregon tax payer for these jerks. Want to risk your life ? Pay your own rescue fee.
I love and live in the Mt. Hood area of Oregon. It’s beautiful. Although I don’t think everyone who climbs the mountain are aware of just how dangerous it can be, I think that people who are making the trek up the mountain really should consider getting homing beacons before they begin their trip. This can preven death, speed up an injury rescue, or help find people and friends who just didn’t make it. We have dedicated quite a few blog posts to the hikers who have either endured or lost their lives on Mt. Hood.
I haven’t or seen any news about the other two men ever being found or not, even this spring or summer. Were their bodies ever found? If so, where exactly? It seems like it would sure help a lot if there was some sort of closure for the families, not to mention for all of us who were intently watching the story and praying. Some stories you never hear the end of and I don’t like that. Something triggered my mind today about it, so I did a search and found this sight, but no end to the story.
As a native Oregonian, I remember Mt. Hodd as snow covered the year round. Occasionally in a long dry spell, it gets close to losing its cover, but that’s got to be pretty rare. I too anticipated for a while that the bodies of the two remaining climbers mighty be located during the warmer months. But then I remembered this IS in a wilderness area. There are many predators there. I’m afraid reality really limits the possibility of them being found if they’re not forever frozen in ice or a glacier or huge snow drift. Maybe someday some of their belongings might be located. These are not the first climbers to be lost on Mt. Hood. Have they found the remains of any previous lost climbers? Obviously, these and many before them didn’t understand just how dangerous this mountain can be at times. A deadly miscalculation.