Climbers stranded on hood as we speak

[dug]

Great post, AOC.

One thing that has been frustrating is listening to some news broadcasts throwing the climbers under the bus about this. From all accounts, they were experienced, prepared, and knew the risks. It didn't work out for them, but it doesn't mean they were "careless" or "stupid", as I've heard them described in some new broadcasts..

I have SOME tolerance for Monday Morning Quarterbacking on this board and from other experienced climbers, but very little for some schlep sitting in a newsroom who won't even check the mail without their TNF Parka on.

 

[pudgy_groundhog]

AOC, nice post.

dug, I totally agree. After all the comments I've seen on another message board I belong to (non-outdoors), I had to come take refuge over here. I got tired of battling the masses of people saying all mountaineers are selfish, stupid, the gov. should close down the mountains in the winter, and why even bother with S&R when people knowingly put themselves at risk.

 

[giggy]

yes - that was a great post. I also believe that they did the right things with the cards they were dealt.

There isn't a textbook answer to what they encountered up there and I am pretty sure they did their best.

RIP Kelly...................

 

[ChrisB]

Why?

What bewilders me is the amount of interest this thing has generated. I can't recall another climbing accident that was so heavily covered in mainstream media. It's like, "Survivor -- Mt. Hood."

Every major news network has had it as the lead story on the evening news for days.

Maybe they grew tired of reporting on the carnage in Iraq, where we are also approaching a record number of monthy deaths.

As far as the Monday-morning quaterbacking goes, it's easy and cheap.


cb

 

[Jay H]

I think the whole media coverage of James Kim and his family's ordeal on a snow covered pass in Oregon naturally transcends to 3 stuck climbers on Mt Hood. That's the only reasoning I can think of the extend of media coverage this has generated....

Jay

 

[dug]

Media Coverage

I have been wondering about this, too. It's not like they are the first climbers to need assistance, nor will they be the last. In my "glass is half-full" optimism, maybe the media is in search of a feel-good story (if they are rescued).

Of course, if it continues to turn out badly, then the media can then go to their favorite pastime, sensationalistic doom and gloom.

This could very, very easily happen to any of us who spends any amount of time outside in the winter.......

 

[Nadine]

Nice post AOC.

 

[jbrown]

AOC, very well said, Amen and Amen.

I've been twitching involuntarily everytime the media mentions the three "hikers" and the newscasters so easily dismiss them as lunatics for going out of doors in the winter.
They've been making these experienced mountaineers sound like the jeans-and-sneakers people hiking Marcy in February, and it irks me.

I was very saddened when I saw that one of the men was found deceased and I am praying that the other two will be found alive, although time is not on our side.

 

[medic108]

As you say....hard to imagine the amount of media coverage surrounding this S&R. In a way, it says something about our country - in search of a hero etc. Not to wax poetic, but in many ways its unreasonable - when is the last time you were witness to a rescue operation involving our soldiers in Iraq ? Apparently 3 lives on Hood captures more attention than thousands abroad. Not to say I dont feel for our three fellow climbers or their family - but there is a perspective to be considered.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Mainstream media covering events outside the mainstream is never pretty to those who participate in or enjoy them. It's been mentioned before -- American coverage of the Tour de France is pitiful at best (but better then no coverage.) Keep in mind the audience is mainstream...

To draw another parallel, unless you are a coal miner, you probably have a difficult time understanding why people put themselves in harm's way, but it's how they feed their family. This is a data point about something the media latched onto recently that a lot of folks haven't got personal experience with, and cannot relate to. I wonder if the coal-mining community was taking stabs at the media coverage in the same way?

People who complain about the expense of SAR for mountaineers are probably not complaining about the expense of highway EMS, for example. Whether they should or not, is a topic for another thread...

Tim

 

[Bob]

Yeah- let's get this post political....

 

[JohnL]

Back on topic, CNN is reporting that Kelly James had an 'obvious' arm injury.

JohnL

 

[medic108]

I am interested in knowing what kind of injury. I am guessing a humeral fracture or significant radius/ulnar fracture. Something bad enough to render him unable to continue.

As AOC said, stepping out of the snow cave onto the windswept hood to go for help speaks a great deal of the committment to each other that these climbers had and the sacrifice - I suspect of their lives - to aid a friend.

 

[ALGonquin Bob]

Hope and Tragedy

The pursuit of happiness through climbing can be dangerous at times. Hiking and climbing in New York’s Adirondack mountains is not anywhere close to the difficult conditions and altitudes that the three men encountered on Mount Hood this month - but even in the Northeast U.S., winter recreation must be planned with the knowledge that bad weather can strike at any time.

I have read some criticism of the three adventurers for climbing Mount Hood in winter, and for causing the massive S&R effort with the high cost of air support. I believe that those men were well qualified and prepared for their climb, and were merely unfortunate in encountering the high winds and snow that may have been the result of an unusual weather event affecting the Pacific Northwest.

Although the effort is still considered a search at this time, there is little hope remaining that the two missing men will be found alive. I was glad to read that they had apparently summited before seeking shelter. At least they experienced the extreme high of reaching the summit after a difficult climb. The contrast between the euphoria of attaining that goal, and the difficulties they faced immediately afterward is stunning.

I can only imagine the sorrow that those families are dealing with, and the uncertainty of the fate of the two missing climbers compounds those emotions. I do remain hopeful that the missing men will be found and rescued. This is the time of year for miracles, isn’t it?

 

[Adk_dib]

he had a broken arm and they were on the steep side of the mountain. sounds like the guy fell and broke his arm, and the other 2 tried to help him.
just a guess on my part but that sounds about right.

 

[Tom Rankin]

I was glad to read that they had apparently summited before seeking shelter. At least they experienced the extreme high of reaching the summit after a difficult climb. The contrast between the euphoria of attaining that goal, and the difficulties they faced immediately afterward is stunning.

I think I heard that something like 80% of accidents in mountaineering take place while descending.

 

[amstony]

People who complain about the expense of SAR for mountaineers are probably not complaining about the expense of highway EMS, for example. Whether they should or not, is a topic for another thread...Tim

Good point to make. I have heard little about the cost so far, but the military budgets for this under their training budgets. It is a "real world" use of their aviation assets such as the C-130's and Uh-60's. Plus almost all the S & R labor is usually volunteer. I am sure Hood County Sheriff's has a budget for this type of operation, and they seem very experienced.

As for all the coverage, this event came so close to the search for Andrew Kim, and this has probably had an impact on the increased coverage.

CNN on Sunday night had almost "wall to wall" coverage of the event, and most of it was very, very good.

Plus, they were all hoping, and are still hoping, they'd be found alive and that there was a strong chance since they are so experienced. Plus there was the dramatic aspect of trying to help an injured buddy. Throw in the factor of the holidays and all, and the huge coverage make some sense.

 

[bubba]

I think that many are praying for that miracle! I've also been stymied by the amount of coverage on cable network TV - but did take away some great understanding of Hood: the 60+ degree slopes that Jerry and Brian may have encountered, the blowing winds and yesterday's blue sky... everything is such a different scale...

Medic - one of the reporters mentioned that the break was obvious... with layers of clothing on ..and it was obvious, must be pretty severe.

AOC-1, well stated.

 

[JohnL]

CNN is now reporting that James had a dislocated shoulder, according to the local sheriff. They also have found a camera with photos that could help.

JohnL

 

[jjmcgo]

Incomplete cost-benefit ratios

People who are complaining about the rescue cost are breaking out only one side of the balance sheet.
First, a poster on another forum noted that all types of rescue amount to 0.0013 percent of the National Park Service budgets, used here as an example of places that contain large recreational areas with occasional SAR operations.
As stated previously, the military would be training and using their equipment anyway and this gives them real-world training in mountain rescue, preparing them for operations in combat areas like Afghanistan. Someone said operations like this helped push higher the possible altitudes at which helicopters could fly. Apparently, they've gained about 10,000 feet in the past 15 years (if that copter actually landed on Everest). One military pilot said he went to 23,000 feet about 10 years ago and things got really shaky.
Innovations get tested in trials in these situations. All kinds of companies with emerging communications technology jumped into this one.
You'd have to think the Army didn't know its infrared wouldn't pierce snow caves or they would have told the sheriff that before scanning the mountain for two days. So, that appears to be something learned about one piece of available technology.
Many people are asking why Mt. Hood mountaineers don't use the site-specific rental mountain-locator units for only $5 a day. The climbing community on cascadeclimbers.com has basically answered that they weigh too much and rest on an exterior chest sash that can get in the way of movement and other equipment. Kelly James' cell phone with GPS provided the same locating ability at less weight with more functions. Perhaps local authorities should consider recommending climbers carry those phones and asking cell-phone companies to provide more towers for more coverage.
The actual rescuers are fellow mountain climbers who volunteer their service.
The sheriff says this a core responsibility of his department.
Why I say only one side of the balance sheet:
Without mountaineers, campers, hikers and skiers, the area surrounding Mt. Hood would be economically depressed. The entire economy of Parkdale to Government Camp is based on recreation. The people who bring the money into the area sometimes need rescue, most of them at low elevations.