One Body Found On Mt. Hood

(AP)  Rescuers looking for three missing climbers on Mount Hood found a body Sunday in the area where one of the climbers made a distress call a week ago, authorities said.

The dead climber had not yet been identified, said Pete Hughes, a spokesman for the Hood River County Sheriff's Office. The victim was believed to be one of the three missing climbers, authorities said.

The body was found in a second snow cave near another snow cave where rescuers found a sleeping bag, ice axes and rope, officials said.

Rescuers would be coming off the mountain early Sunday evening and will review the information gathered today before making tomorrow's plans, said Capt. Mike Braibish, spokesman for the Oregon National Guard.

"We remain hopeful," Braibish said. "We are going to still collect information and pursue the rescue of the two other climbers."

Near the first snow cave, helicopters had spotted rope that had been intentionally laid out in a Y-shape, which some rescuers said is commonly used by climbers to indicate their location. There was also an ice spike and footprints, said Sgt. Gerry Tiffany, spokesman for the Hood River County Sheriff's Office.

Searchers dug through the cave, about 300 feet below the summit, to ensure no one was there and took the equipment, which will be examined for clues.

Weather conditions have been harsh since the three were reporting missing eight days ago, with heavy snow fall and wind gusts of up to 100 mph. The snow stopped Saturday, but wind up to 50 mph blew the fresh snow, hampering visibility. Skies were blue Sunday, the wind was still, and temperatures at the 11,239-foot summit were reported near zero degrees.

There has been no communication from Kelly James, 48, of Dallas, 37-year-old Brian Hall of Dallas, or 36-year-old Jerry "Nikko" Cooke of New York City since Dec. 10, when James used his cell phone to call his family. He told them he was sheltering in a snow cave while his companions started back down the mountain, apparently to get help for him.

The last clue to their whereabouts was a brief signal returned from James' cell phone Tuesday.

It is not yet known how the body will be brought down from the mountain. "We need to determine the safest way to make a recovery," Tiffany said.

[withershins-2009]

I have written two separate comments before this one. The first was too long, and the second was too vague. I am hoping, though, that in this one I can say everything I need to say in one short, specific piece.
To me, the lives of my, and your, fellow human beings caught in the act of doing something I, or you, may personally disapprove of and condemn as being foolish or foolhardy, far outweighs the cost in human and financial resources expended to save them. Any time anyone ventures out of their home, things become infinitely more uncertain, even moreso the further you venture out, increasing our dependency on other human beings we may find along the way. Life is all uncertainties followed by one very long, and very definite certainty; death. Those folks were doing something they loved, and one died doing it. Perhaps that person had wished they had more time, in those lonely, desperate moments huddled in that frigid cave, perhaps wished they had done this or that differently in their lives. But it drives home one basic, vital fact; none of us are gettng out of it alive. It's fatalistic, it's a bit contrived, and perhaps it smacks of a cliche that's been stated over and over again. But it's true. And it helps to remember that. To help or not to help, that is the question. The answer is, There but for the grace of God goes I.

I really hope that when they took that equipment that they found, that they left some of their own equipment behind for the climbers incase they had plans on coming back to retrieve for future use, or at least left something for that might help them

[canaima]

Consider the tax money that's spent by the wasting of the time of our elected officials who are forced to listen to screwball constituent suggestions - some of which are posted here - about legislating laws to cover possible rescue costs - time & money that could be better spent elsewhere.

There's enough taxpayer money wasted there alone to cover the cost of hundreds of rescues or recovery operations like this one.

These climbers obviously ran into unforseen difficulties that forced them split up, leaving one climber near the top while the other two descended to seek help. They deserve all the help we can give them - help that they themselves as taxpayers have helped finance with their own tax dollars. Let the brave paid & voluntary rescuers do their jobs to bring them home and let's stop trying to place a dollar value on human lives.

[oregonbeauty]

I have lived in Oregon my whole life and I stand in awe, when on a beautiful day I can see that majestic mountain and appreciate that which God gave us. I can truly understand the beauty that brings people to this mountain. But yes God makes the decision of when to take us into his loving arms. Lets put the tax payers comments to rest. After all, a portion of our taxes pay to house and feed criminals, offer rehabilitation and services to people who abuse drugs and alcohol, pay for fire calls due to bad choices....must I go on? After all at least these men ARE taxpayers. Shouldn't they receive benefits? Show some compassion people. It's like trying to teach my 15 year old daughter, just because you may think it, doesn't mean it needs to spew out your mouth!! If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. I pray that the family finds peace and comfort and the two other climbers are found safe.

[linfinster]

I think most people would not have such a negative attitude and bring the cost of such a resue into play if the people who pay for these things felt like the government wasn't always taking from the middle class (what's left of us), stealing from the elderly and keeping it to line thier own pockets. I want to help, but geesh, I can barely pay my taxes and have oil this winter! Don't mistake my lack of compassion for being selfish, I don't have the $ to do anything extravegant to entertain and enrich me. I think a good point was made that it was not necesary to do this climb. I'm hopful that they didn't plan this inspite of knowing the weather. generally those things can't be predicted at all, but why couldn't they wait until the winter season was over?
I wouldn't go so far as to say they shoul take $ from the surviving family, but what about "Climbers Insurance?" or for anyone doing that kind of extreme sport.

[wilkesjulie]

i think u people who are saying these ugly things about these three men need to keep your mouths shut.if u choose not to climb mountains thats your business. but these people have families that dont need to hear these negative remarks. what if it was u or your family needing help? we all do stupid things sometime, but u have no right to judge someone else until u look at yourselfs. what u need to do is get down on your hands and knees and pray to God to forgive u for being so nieve. and u need to grow up. these men need prayer and hope that the two that havent been found will be and hopefully alive. you live in America and we should stand together and pray for each other. isnt there enough going on in all our lifes without ignorance that u people are spreading? these people wasnt trying to hurt anyone.u people might need help in some crazy choice u make one day and i hope your own words come back and nip u in the butt!!
and to the families i pray for each and everyone of u and the good people out looking for your loved ones. dont give up hope. ignore the ignorance of those with shallow minds and may God forgive them for their hateful remarks, and hope that they may never need help as these three men did, for they might receive no response at all. noshame90

[kylethink]

Most of these comments are not only embarrassing to me as an American, but also as a compassionate human being. Perhaps we are not putting this news in context of thousands of folks who have ascended so many mountains without incident. This effort is not much different than that of a missing swimmer. To engage in outdoor recreation is not just a right of every American, it is a dream of many. Some call it "living" rather than risk-taking.

Mountain climbing carries a risk of death similar to backcountry skiing, riding a motor cycle, scuba diving, or not wearing a seatbelt. Furthermore the health risks are similar to those who exercise less than 30 minutes of 5 times each week. Does everyone who dies in a motorcycle accident deserve it?

When the time comes for you to pass on, I hope it is in the company of those you love, under the medical care that every human being deserves. It's called dignity, and that's what the family and searchers are trying to provide to those lost on Mt. Hood right now.

[lizzielawton]

SharnCedar,

In case you haven't noticed, the climbers were not from California. So why the anti-California tirade?

p.s. Have you considered prescription medication?

[pwlrbr]

If I was to seriously consider what most people have been posting here (except for a few of you that make me proud of being American) I would be led to believe that this country's culture is destined to become an every-person-by-itself-and-for-itself culture. This country would become the land of "freedom" where you cannot excercise your free-will without being criticized and finger-pointed at. The land where you can no longer dare to be different and pursue your dreams. A land of mediocrity were everybody accepts you only if you live within other's conformity and risk nothing. The land where diversity, ingenuity, originality, discovery, humanity, tolerance, independence, and freedom are all considered taboo.

[j-whitman]

Great job by real professionals, good thing Bush wasn't in charge of the rescue.. Bush would have sent in the most inexperianced & would have told us how warm & easy it was, then he would have made the poor & elderly pay for it.