Updates??- 2 climbers, 2 campers overdue...Rainier

It's hard enough to handle the grief without having to filter out the harsh criticism that this kind of analysis can quickly become.

What I don't understand is why the criticism has to be so harsh? The more awareness created about preventing mountain accidents the better. I don't see anything wrong with putting out there the truth as long as its tactfully done. Why the critique needs to turn an ugly condescending head is beyond me.

Everything about mountaineering and backcountry skiing involves risks, of which not everyone who participates may be aware of, this doesn't make them irresponsible, just that sometimes, there is a steep learning curve. If I die on the mountain put it out there, but do it tactfully... my family will find closure knowing the truth. No closure can be found with questions unanswered, its obvious a mistake was made. I think more should be made public about destination mountaineering affecting decision making... (IMO a factor at play here)

My deepest wishes of survival to the missing on Rainier.

I think it is possible to provide useful and accurate insight into mistakes made while also being respectful to folks that have made those mistakes -- whether or not those mistakes were fatal or not. This does require extra effort than the standard armchair quarterbacking -- but isn't that what we should be doing anyway on this board? Describing choices made as mistakes, rather than labeling the persons that made those choices is a good first step.

Overall I think the folks posting on on T-A-Y do carefully choose their words and avoid ill considered posts.

It has been a difficult season at Mt Rainier, I know that the fatality in late December has a big impact on the morale of the rangers, the murder of Margaret Anderson was a huge blow and now these four lost people. At least they did find that lost snowshoer alive -- one bright spot in an otherwise bleak season at the park.

The Park is soliciting reports for evidence such as gear; details at:
blog.thenewstribune.com/adventure/2012/01/28/5846/
I've heard rumors there was no evidence either party ever reached the Muir shelter?

At least they did find that lost snowshoer alive -- one bright spot in an otherwise bleak season at the park.

Actually, they found 3 lost snowshoers alive that same day!

Only one of them got any press attention though, because only he had been reported missing and thus was being searched for. But the other two were out in the elements just as long and in the same area. Here's a nice story published yesterday in the News Tribune about their survival epic:

www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/27/200229...woman-vancouver.html

As usual, there are a few moronic comments from people whose reading comprehension skills are too limited to even understand the news story (the harsh commenters demanding repayment missed the whole point that this couple's rescue cost nothing, since the rescuers were not even looking for them, but for someone else).

Amar, Thank you for sharing your comments which may provide a dialogue to learn from the current situation.

I'm glad the story of the two others did get some coverage in the press - as I understand it - the tea that the woman called the "best tea in the world" came from JHamaker's thermos.