Climber Injured on Mt Hood

Here's an article from today's Oregonian on the fall from yesterday..........

www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/1..._help_injured_m.html

A different Mt. Hood incident:

How fascinating is Mt. Hood.... that it kills or injures so many folks.   Instead of starting a new thread, I thought I would just piggyback on this book review:

More at: www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/story/543615.html

[size=12pt] ‘Holding Fast’ chronicles deadly climb and family’s grief

Holding Fast: The Untold Story of the Mount Hood Tragedy
By Karen James
[/size]

JOSEPH B. FRAZIER; The Associated Press Published: November 20th, 2008 12:05 AM

HOOD RIVER, Ore. – Shivering, weak and injured in a snow cave, on a mountain he and two climbing companions had tried to conquer, Kelly James managed to reach his wife on his cell phone.

“Hey, baby,” he said.

“Hi honey, I love you,” Karen James said, fighting back tears from their home in faraway Dallas. Her husband hadn’t been seen in days and she had feared he was dead, but now, hearing his voice, she wondered how long he could stay alive.......

That was really a sad tragedy, which could have easily been avoided.

A different Mt. Hood incident:

How fascinating is Mt. Hood.... that it kills or injures so many folks.   Instead of starting a new thread, I thought I would just piggyback on this book review:

More at: www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/story/543615.html

Image Rainier without the rangers turning tourists away at Muir.  ???

Once while descending from the Hogsback on Hood we encountered frat boys in jeans who, due to their golf tee time being cancelled, decided to climb the mountain.  They had the nerve to tell us we were lost according to our map - they didn't bother to bring one - so we just rolled our eyes and continued down.  I can't count the number of times I've passed people in rubber boots, Sunday dress and God knows what else on the South side of that hill.  Actually it's a wonder that more people are not killed every year.

That being said, it's still one of my favorite mountains.

Image Rainier without the rangers turning tourists away at Muir.  ???

Once while descending from the Hogsback on Hood we encountered frat boys in jeans who, due to their golf tee time being cancelled, decided to climb the mountain.  They had the nerve to tell us we were lost according to our map - they didn't bother to bring one - so we just rolled our eyes and continued down.  I can't count the number of times I've passed people in rubber boots, Sunday dress and God knows what else on the South side of that hill.  Actually it's a wonder that more people are not killed every year.

That being said, it's still one of my favorite mountains.

... reminds me of watching those "frat boys"  hoofing up the snow on upper Mt. Baker in jeans and tennis shoes....   That weekend two ice climberers died.   However, as aggravating are the Yahoo's (seen 'em on every mountain), I suggest that more deadly are the experienced guys, who die in the quick scramble with no gear.  It's ironic that it is the experienced and talented folks who fall to the temptations. 

Very true.  I guess the weight to speed equation always has a tipping point and we need to be aware of just where that fulcrum lies.  Sadly, people do make mistakes, no matter how well equipped/trained, and it just reminds us all that we are all mortals and people will grieve in our passing.