Mt. Hood 2006
It has fast become apparent here at The Adventurist that my current coverage of the Mt. Hood Rescue Attempt is drawing alot of attention. As such, I have created this page as a means to keep everyone updated with just one click.
Below you will find links to all of the previous stories and updates concerning the Mt. Hood Rescue attempt. I am hoping that you will find this both much easier to navigate, as well as find it faster to get what you are looking for.
Here is a list of all of the News and Articles concerning this event, as done by The Adventurist:
- Mt. Hood Rescue Attempt Underway Posted 12/11/06
- Mt. Hood Rescue Attempt Update Posted 12/12/06
- Mt. Hood: Another Day Ends, Climbers Still Missing Posted 12/12/06
- Mt. Hood: Hardest Route Up Makes for Very Hard Rescue Posted 12/13/06
- Exclusive Mt. Hood Photos Near Rescue Attempt Site Posted 12/13/06
- The Cost Associated with Mountain Rescue Posted 12/13/06
- Mt. Hood Rescue Sends Adventurist to New Heights Posted 12/13/06
- Mt. Hood Rescue Attempt-Day 4: The Search Continues Posted 12/13/06
- Winter Storm Threatens Mt. Hood Rescue Attempt Posted 12/13/06
- Mt. Hood Rescue Attempt: Your Thoughts, Your Prayers, Your Voice… Posted 12/13/06
- Mt. Hood Rescue: Day 5 UPDATE, 12/14/06: 18 New Inches of snow, 100 MPH Winds
- Mt. Hood Rescue: Day 5–12/14/06–Late Update
- Mt. Hood Rescue: Day 6–12/15/06: Pounding Storm Immobilizes Rescue Efforts
- Climbers Have Food, Fuel, Bivvy Sacks, a shovel and some Rope Posted 12/15/06
- Rescue Workers to Mt. Hood Summit: 4-6 Hours in Perfect Conditions Posted 12/15/06
- Mt. Hood Weather Report for Friday and Saturday Posted 12/15/06
- Climb on Mt. Hood was Preparation for Everest Posted 12/15/06
- Mt. Hood: Text of Letter Left at Mt. Hood Ranger Station Posted 12/15/06
- Mt. Hood Rescue Fund Set Up Posted 12/15/06
- Mt. Hood Lost Climbers: Their Neighbors and Friends Speak Out Posted 12/15/06
- Finally! A Race to the Summit Posted 12/16/06
- New Details Emerging through Mt. Hood Rescue Forum Posted 12/16/06
- Search Ends for One Mt. Hood Climber, Other Two Still Missing Posted 12/16/06
- Tragedy on Mt. Hood: Editorial on Today’s Tragic Events Posted 12/17/06
- The Adventurist In Mourning Posted 12/17/06
- A Few Thoughts on Mountains, Winter, and Responsibility Posted 12/18/06
- Body Found on Mt. Hood Identified Posted 12/18/06
- Adventurist Makes Contact with Mt. Hood Sheriff’s Department Posted 12/18/06
- Mt. Hood: Role of the News Media, A Discussion Posted 12/18/06
- Kelly James Had obvious Arm Injury on Mt. Hood Posted 12/18/06
- Mt. Hood: Day 9 Update, Sheriff voices concern over possible accident Posted 12/18/06
- Mt. Hood: Day 10 Update, Search Scaled Back Posted 12/19/06
- Family Members help in search of Missing Mt. Hood Climbers Posted 12/19/06
- Photos Surface of Mt. Hood Climbers, Rescuers wonder How Prepared Were They? Posted 12/19/06
- Sister of Lost Mt. Hood Climber Brian Hall Makes Statement Posted 12/19/06
- Mt. Hood: Search is Over, All Three Climbers Presumed Dead Posted 12/20/06
- The Adventurist: Mt. Hood Coverage Halted Posted 12/20/06
- A Return to Mt. Hood? Posted 12/22/06
- Autopsy Results of Mt. Hood Climber Kelly James Posted 12/22/06
- Kelly James’ Family sends Thanks to those who helped on Mt. Hood Posted 12/25/06
- Mt. Hood Tragedy to be featured in National Geographic: Adventure Posted 12/27/06
- A Clear View: The Top of Mt. Hood After Tragedy Struck Posted 02/22/07
- Who Should Pay for Search and Rescue? The Controversy Ends Posted 03/05/07
- The Mt. Hood Tragedy and a Rip on Bill O’Reilly Posted 03/08/07
- The Adventurist Interview: Hubert A. Allen, Author of Mt. Hood: The Deep Blue Zone Posted 08/08/07
- 2006 Mt. Hood Tragedy Update: Equipment Stash Found, July 2007 Search Results…and More Posted 08/26/07
- Mt. Hood 2006 Update: Third Search For Brian Hall and Jerry Cooke Begins Posted 09/09/07
This should get everyone caught up on everything that has been going on and everything that has been posted thus far. As you can tell, I have been VERY busy with this issue! I will update you when anything new arises.
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I am absoluteley appalled at the stupidity of these 3 men and the thousands of dollars, hours and risks thatrescuers are now taking to find them. Mt. Hood, middle of the winter? Unprepared and someone should pay. They left a note on their car!!!???? Are you serious? That is preparation for one of the most dangerous climbs at one of the worst times of year? And now dozens of people are trying to save them. One of the things I do not do is put other people at risk to back up my lack of skill or planning. Shame on me if I go rafting on a river beyond my ability, without the proper equipment and then expect other people to save me. I do not wish them harm but if the outcome is bad who is to blame other then themselves? People need to take some responsibilty for their actions.
They logged in at the rang post, and are all extensively experienced climbers. they have supplies, and are prepared. if they are in the cave, as was reported on sunday, and they are melting water, then they will be ok for at least 10 days. since they have food. they will be better.
search your heart and figure out why you are so hostile toward these strangers.
Note from Editor to Gabe:
Gabe, it is customary for climbers, hikers, or anyone else that is out in the wilderness to 1) tell someone where you will be–which the climbers done and 2) Leave a note in your car just in case something would happen. At least one climber has a cellphone as well, but cellphone batteries only last so long.
And one last thing. If you get stranded while you are rafting, for the most part it is not your decision to get rescued. That is what these people have been paid and trained to do. Would you refuse once they found you and expect them to leave? I don’t think anyone would who has been put in that situation.
Yes, there are alot of “volunteers” on this rescue attempt, but the key word is “Volunteer.” If they didn’t want to be there, they don’t have to be. It is just the right thing to do whether it be a situation like this or a car accident. Help is usually not something people willingly ask for–yet in the right situations, we would all give it.
[...] Summary of articles from The Hendrick’s Report [...]
do climbers ever carry signal flares or gps locators?
just curious, I know zero about climbing but have been
followinng the search.
If and when these 3 idiots get “rescued” they ought to be fined community service of the amount of resources they wasted by their foolish Winter folly.
The only idiots here are those responding with anger. What the media has failed to mention is the millions of dollars that our public agencies spend every year rescuing hikers and tourists who are usually unprepared and untrained for their ill adventures.
These men were apparently very experienced climbers, properly equiped, attemping a common goal of climbing a moderately difficult mountain. People commenting negatively here obviously have no true knowledge of mountain pursuits and do not realize that under the conditions these men set out in, they were not taking any excessive risk given their goal. Mountain climbers around the world safely climb much more dangerous mountains, in similar conditions, and with much higher objective dangers.
Hind sight is 20/20. This is a tragic, unforseen accident. These men were caught unexpectedly in a storm, and deserve the assistance of all the people who are aiding them. As mentioned above, many of the people who are helping are volunteers who understand the magic of the mountains and the risk these adventures bring. These people are enriched by helping others in a time of need.
Comment from Editor:
Manley, Please do not call my readers idiots. Just because their viewpoints may not be shared by you, does not mean that they are inferior when it comes to thinking. The Adventurist respects people’s input…this is one of the reason’s why people keep coming back. What it doesn’t respect, is name calling. That goes to both of you. If it happens again, your comments will be deleted.
Imagine being most of the way into a neat climb, the views are spectacular…looking forward to the awesome views at the summit. Then all of a sudden your luck changes so horribly. Even though they seemed to have been prepared for survival, I don’t think anyone ever thinks that such a bad thing will happen to them.
Hopefully the other 2 men are found soon… And hopefully the rescue workers come out of this unharmed.
Mountaineering is quite the adventurous hobby and has many rewards; both physically and mentally. Those men were doing what they loved to do and were living life to the fullest. This is a tragedy.
I, for one, will be praying for the families of these climbers. They must be in so much anguish right now–not knowing whether or not the body is that of their loved one, or the body of one of his friends. All the families are suffering so much right now. Not knowing is the worst of it all.
These climbers knew what they were doing. Perhaps they underestimated the weather–but that happens to the best of us: climbers, pilots, rafters, etc, etc. One year my daughter and I had a blast navigating a river in the mountains of Switzerland–only to learn the very next month that 8 people had been killed in the the same area in a flash flood. The only way to entirely avoid the risks (after being smart about doing all you’ve been trained to do) is to avoid the sport entirely. Those who aren’t willing to take the risks are those who will never know the joy. They’re also the ones who won’t understand why we go for it.
At least this climber’s family can know he died doing what he loved. Hopefully this will give them some peace.
My gosh, right on the heels of the James Kim tragedy. I know my family back East thinks WE live (I’m in Southern Oregon but from Portland)in a dangerous part of the world!! We have always overpacked survival gear, and we rarely even leave the truck. Yes, I’m not one of the adventurous ones, but the rest of my family is. My mom has climbed most peaks out here in Or, Wa, and Ca.
Why do I NOT climb mountains?? Because when I was a sophmore in High School we HAD to climb Mt. Hood to graduate. Either that or perform 40 hours of community service. I quickly opted for the community service but after spending one hour in a nursing home I quickly changed my mind and decided to go for the climb.
What is it, a mile or two to the top? Well, tell that to a sophmore, one to two miles is nothing. Ha, let me tell you, attempting to climb Mt. Hood was the WORST torture I could imagine. We got to turn back due to a storm. We didn’t even make it higher than the top chairlift at Timberline and it was still torture.
Two years after I graduated, on the same climb, 9 school mates and two teachers died up there (1985) in one of the worst recorded storms on Mt. Hood up ’til that time. The leader with the most experience succumbed to hypothermia first, and it is suspected that because of this he began making poor decisions, which meant not turning back, which lead to the students deaths. They were holed up for 4 or 5 days in a snow cave before they were all found dead, except for Giles and Brittney. I went to Oregon Episcopal School. Most of you climbers probably remember that tragedy. My little story here doesn’t have much to do with our current tragedy except to say that these guys weren’t doing anything stupid or irresponsible. It would be stupid and irresponsible for a group of teenagers after a night of drink decide to give it a try (I’m sure lots of other scenerios too) but these guys were experienced enough to go up, yes, even in December. But sometimes, even the best, go down.
Rescuers become rescuers because they want to and they need to, and as climbers themselves, the effort they are putting in to the rescue may be the energy that goes into their own rescue someday. Putting their lives on the line IS WHAT THEY DO PEOPLE. It’s in their blood. Yes they should be compensated but the issue of putting their lives on the line is a mute one in my book. They know darn well what they are getting in to and as stated before, they are volunteers. I’ll shut up now.
Patti McInroe Says:
December 18th
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
Patti- I contacted Portland Mountain Rescue http://www.pmru.org/ and relayed the information posted here. However, I believe it would be helpful for you to also contact them and relay the info to them directly.
EDITOR: Can you please relay this info to Mrs. McInroe via her email address or other contact info you may have access to?
Thanks
It’s unfortunate that the climbers didn’t carry with them some sort of gps system.
My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families.
I also agree that experienced adventurers like the 3 climbers would have / should have been carrying a GPS system as part of their gear..
20 / 20 hindsight of course ..
I know that if you look at the majority of us we all lead very different lives, some of us lions in what we do, we conquer, we live the dream and we take no prisoners. Others, live a life of responsibility, those that work hard, but work for others and take what they are given and disperse it against the tide of bills, of children, of mortgage, cars, insurance, home improvements, new ski equipment ( forgive me I had to put that in) and all the financial pulls that life takes against the regular guy. So how do you take care of yourself and your dreams? How do you quench the ever present pull to conquer something, to make your mark, to be someone…maybe not to an audience, maybe not to a crowd of applause, but to stand on the mountain top alone, knowing you’ve pushed yourself as far as you can and made it… and inside…to yourself…to say…I DID IT.
That…is why these guys went up there in the first place. To conquer, to sit afterwards, have a beer against a warm fire and say…yes …we did it.
What they didn’t expect were the unexpected odds they were hit with.
It is nothing but disrespectful and in my own opinion…ignorant…to lessen their efforts to better themselves if only to themselves.
Brad
Yorba Linda, California.
laderaranch@msn.com
[...] MT. HOOD RESCUE: FOR COMPLETE NEWS AND ARTICLES CLICK HERE! [...]
my heart goes out to the families.i just hope that the men have found peace and that the families know that they were doing the thing that they wanted to do. i applaude them for following their hearts and just wish this would have turned out better.they were smart in going together and should not be spoken of poorly.those who speak poorly of those that follow there hearts and dreams are just jealous because they don’t have the guts to do the same.again my heart goes out to the families and i hope you will all have closure soon. God bless you all.even those who are ignorant in there opinions
[...] MT. HOOD RESCUE: FOR COMPLETE NEWS AND ARTICLES CLICK HERE! [...]
This is a great credit to all that were involved in the rescues. There have been quite a few tragedies on the mountain this year, and in 2006 winter season. It’s a shame. Some of the state’s citizens are lobbying to make it manditory for climbers to carry homing beacons from November to March, if they plan to climb the mountain or summit. The winter season can be unpredictable, and hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts should be aware of the dangers, and have wilderness survival skills to stay alive as long as possible.
Hi- I heard that the search had continued for Brain Hall and Nikko Cook. Are you going to post any information regarding this? Also, do you know if they ever checked out the “mirror” type image/area that was spotted towards the end of the search on the south side. Just curiou.
Thanks
Hey Liz,
The authorities did check out the area from the “mirror” tip that was left here on the site. They reported not seeing anything at the time and combed the area for close to 24 hours.
As far as the search continuing, I will have to look into that. Thanks for stopping by.
I cannot believe some of the heartless comments i just read, all I hope is the familys of these poor men never see these ignorant statements.
Sept.6th,2007
Charlotte,N.C.
I was heartbroken over the 3 climbers lost last Dec. Have the bodies of Brian & Jerry been found yet? I know their families need closure.
I need closure,too. Any update will be deeply appreciated. I couldn,t stop crying over them for several months & still think about them .
Thank You,
Jet Bailey
Hi
Very interesting information! Thanks!
G’night
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