NEWSTIPS

All I want to know is...who's buying m first drink?? (P.S. Can't make it tomorrow, but you never know if I'll show up next Tuesday....)

Actually, the dog interview is BEFORE the grammy coverage

and here I thought you were calling us goddesses... av·a·tar The incarnation of a Hindu deity, especially Vishnu, in human or animal form

At the risk of exposing how very little I know about climbing (which is why I let other people do the story telling and research on this subject), what is an avatar? And before you lay into me for being on this board when I don't know anything about climbing, please know that I am willing to learn. And am trying to learn.

King5News and Newstips are 2 separate (but equally intriguing) females who work behind the scenes at KING 5. So how 'bout that beer? (Although truth be told, I'm a liquor girl, myself)

Newstips has read and bookmarked this link to future reference. Thanks.

"Why does Jim Forman always get sent 300 miles" from Seattle? Well, frankly, he volunteers to go where the action is. If there's something interesting or exciting happening, Jim wants to be in the middle of it.

"All I'm suggesting is that climbing receives media attention mostly only when an accident occurs, and that these incidents are more rare (and perhaps more predictable) than the news media would have the public believe." I will agree with this statement. But it's their rarity that makes them newsworthy. Unfortunately, sometimes, that means an overexposure which creates an impression that an incident ISN'T as rare as it actually is. For example, stranger kidnappings are extremely rare, but whenever one happens anywhere in the country, most newsrooms find themselves doing stories about how to protect ones' children. As for how often the media does climbing stories that don't focus on someone being overdue/missing/lost/etc, we would be happy to do some feature stories on climbing if you can guide us to some new story ideas. It wouldn't really behoove anyone to do a story on how popular climbing is as a sport (been there, done that), but if there is something new or unusual that would make a good story, we are more than happy to consider those story ideas. I have several reporters who would jump at the chance to do a happy climbing story. So bring on the story ideas!

You know, as soon as I re-read my posting with "string of occurrences", I realized that was probably not the best wording. I do apologize for the mischaracterization.

No, no others currently missing. I believe that is a reference to 2 more in a string of occurrences over the winter season.

Mt Rainier says they're still waiting to see if the climbers make it out before nightfall. There's been a little break in the weather. If they don't come out tonight, Mt. Rainier will institute a full scale search on Tuesday morning. The climbers did register so they know the route they took which will help if they need to search. Because they're experienced climbers, if they don't come out today rangers expect them to hunker down until the morning.

Point taken.

Neither of us hike/climb.

King5News is my daytime counterpart. We are both assignment editors, but we work different schedules. We are 2 separate people.

Yes, the newshound continues to follow this thread. I read your comments with interest. By the way, we do not put unconfirmed information on the air. We were initially told by officials that the group was heli-skiing. Once they corrected themselves to say that they were high country skiers, we corrected our reports as well. But I'm not trying to get into an argument here...

Because most of you have been very kind to me in my information request, I wanted to let you know that the latest information from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is that 21 skiers (who were high country skiers rather than heliskiers) in two separate groups being guided by Selkirk Mountain Experience were caught in an avalanche. 11 of those skiers were buried either partially or completely and 7 of them were killed. 4 of those skiers were Canadian, the other 3 were from California and Colorado. The remaining 4 skiers were rescued and were taken to Queen Victoria hospital. It is not clear if the guides are included in the tally of the 21 skiers. Thanks to all of you for your feedback.

It is a group from the company that he runs, yes. I don't believe he is the guide on the trip, though.

That is certainly a valid point, Allison. I will mention it to my producers. Thanks for the feedback.

We are just now learning that very thing (they were not heliskiers)..and are correcting reports to reflect the latest information. That's one problem with breaking news events...the first information we receive from official sources is not always what turns out to be true.

Look, you say I should use my resources to try and get my information. Well, you are one of the resources I was trying. You don't have to help me. I was simply asking if anyone would be willing to help. Clearly you're not. So don't. I am not hanging all my hopes on getting information from this message board. Just wondering if there was anyone out there who could offer assistance.

I can certainly understand that. We are trying to provide fair and balanced coverage. I had hoped that by seeking assistance from folks such as yourselves who might be knowledgeable in such things, we could help each other out. I know the media gets a bad rap, but the only way to repair our image is to keep trying.

I work at KING 5 here in Seattle. We are getting a flow of information from the Canadian media, but are not having a whole lot of luck discovering where these heli-skiers are from (other than the United States). Does anyone know where they're from? The skiing expedition was arranged by Selkirk in Revelstoke, but they won't tell us anything. If you know anything that would help helpful in helping discover if any of these skiers are Washington area folks, I'd appreciate any help you can give. You may call me at (206) 448-3850. Elizabeth