barkernews

I'm headed up to the mountain for work... so this is my last update, it's old info though: Clackamas SO says they're on the Sandy Headwall... -Brian Barker, KATU Press Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office CLACKAMAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S SEARCH AND RESCUE RESPONDING TO MT. HOOD EMERGENCY November 4th, 2004 1:11 PM On Thrusday, 11-04-04, at 11:36 a.m., the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office received a cell phone emergency call from a two person climbing party on Mt. Hood. This reporting subject states he and his male climbing companion had fallen an estimated 100 ft. into a crevass at the bottom of the Sandy Head Wall, at the Sandy Glacier, on Mt. Hood. This reporting party indicates that he has suffered a broken arm, and his climbing companion is suffering from a severe back injury. However, this subject does state both have adequate cold weather clothing and that his companion is breathing. In addition, this reporting party is equiped with a cell phone and capable of communicating with rescue personnel responding to this incident. The caller states he is able to see the sky from his location, which is reported to be at least 100 ft from inside this crevass. AMR and the reach and treat personnel are responding and will be the first responders to this crisis. The weather conditions are favorable at the present time and conducive to the deployment of a rescue helicopter if required.

Ground rescue crews haven't left. Scanner traffic indicates they believe the victims are a three hour hike away. National Guard helo is considering picking up rescuers and flying them closer... then lowering them on hoist. Brian Barker Reporter KATU TV

National Guard Helo is airborne. Planning to stage at Timberline parking lot. Weather is excellent... Brian Barker Reporter KATU TV

Nick Watt with Clackamas Co S&R says climbers are at the 7,500 ft level. Lots of conflicting reports. Still trying to nail down their exact elevation... Snowcat is on the way.

Just got off the phone with dispatch. Rescuers are having problems reaching the climbers on their cell. They say they've "lost communication with them." Helo's launching in five minutes from Salem. Sheriff's Dept says the climbers are somewhere on the Sandy Glacier. Our helicopter spotted some pretty nasty snow conditions at the 10-11,000 ft level. Lots of crevasses, obviously. You gotta think with the recent snows there's some pretty weak snow bridges hiding the crevasses.

GOVERNMENT CAMP, Ore. (AP) - Two climbers on Mount Hood are awaiting to be rescued after falling into a crevasse in an area called Sandy Glacier. Clackamas County Sheriff's Detective Jim Strovink says one of the men has a broken arm and the other has a serious back injury. Strovink says the man with the broken arm used his cellular phone to call for help at about 11:30 a-m. Strovink says the two men are well equipped and have adequate clothing. The men, though in a crevasse, can see the blue sky and the weather is good. Strovink says they are still assesing the situation and are in the early stages of the rescue.

Rescuers are still on their way up. Haven't located the climbers yet. The National Guard's standing by to launch a helo... (PS - I'll make sure we don't call them "hikers.") Good luck Rescuers!!!! Brian Barker, Reporter KATU TV

If the Rapture happens, will it suck Bush up into Neverland and leave us in peace? I don't mind being one of those left behind if it means we get rid of the whakos...

This is irrelevant... but I'm bored. I was on top the last day the summit trail was open before the latest activity. A bunch of us were hoping to feel the mountain shaking. I heard a bunch of rocks rolling down the walls as usual, but didn't feel anything. I did run into a dude the next day who was up there just after me and he said he felt the whole damn thing rumble. Silly mountain... it was the so easy to drive up there and get in some turns. Wonder when it'll open back up...

No offense, but if you didn't vote, how can you complain? What were you thinking? But I agree with you. We can't just leave Iraq. We have to stop bitching about how we got into this deadly debacle and figure out a gradual exit strategy. What a freakin' mess... and we sure can't count on this administration to lead us out of it.

UBL couldn't have hoped for a better recruiting/advertising/pr tool than the Bush administration and the Abu Graib Prison scandal. Cross your fingers folks... this election's gonna be tight. (Not that Kerry is a much better option... but geez...)

Vantage. Had Kostick Memorial Wall all to ourselves. Redpointed my first 10a. Yeah, yeah... I know. I'm still learnin'. Buy while ya'll were camping in the freezing cold... I was down at my in laws' cabin on the Columbia eating steak and drinking beer. Poor campers...

Dude!!!! Who said that?!?! Ken Ackerman said "Mt. St. Hood."

Silly media.

Muchas Gracias. Huaraz Rocks. It's hot... in the upper 70s. Rained Tuesday and Wednesday... Later.

Don't glissade with crampons and you should be fine. It's a long slog but the views are worth it. Start about 4 or 5am for the best snow conditions on the way up.

OK. This is random... and it isn't exactly Cascade climbing, but I can't find it anywhere on the internet. Anybody been to Huaraz this time of the year? If so, what are the avg highs and lows? I'm trying to pack. Thanks!

Dude, The rotten stuff's no big deal. It's the clawing through canyons of thorns that sucks. It's surprising. I just moved to Oregon and I thought there would be more climbing. You're right, you kinda have to resort to adventure climbing in order to spread your wings with so few solid options.

Better than having the reporter leave out the facts and replace them with assumptions, half-baked analysis, and unverified "sources". Yeah. That's what FOX News is for...

Mad props to the rescuers. You guys are awesome... no matter WHERE you were. And CRAZY MADD PROPS to whoever recovered my wife's ice-ax on the trail. Seems it slipped off the pack.

Dude, That was intense... and really well written. Glad you're OK and that you didn't become a news story. We've had enough of that lately. So what's the lesson? Do you think you bailed at the exactly right time... or should you have turned back before the bivy?

Why is it that you only hear about labs climbing? Maybe because they're too dumb? Mine can climb UP about a 5.2 slab... but not DOWN. That's where I have to rescue him.

I was on Hood's South side last week... just above the hogsback, when a black Labrador Retriever blew past me. He summited before I did. Is this normal? I mean, I've heard of dogs on Aconcagua. Hell, my lab made it up St. Helens in the winter once, but jeeeezus!

Dude, Fat Tire rocks. But I'm from Boulder so I grew up on the stuff. Yeah, I need to try more Oregon beers.

flats probably occur in groups cuz you've got some tiny glass or other shit buried in your tire. check for it... if it's wedged in there it'll keep popping your tubes.