jfmctlaw

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=45.37361&lon=-121.69466&size=l&u=4&datum=nad27&layer=DRG

Oh, geez, that was a great pic!!!! Can't you guys leave the pic up?

It's true, I agree that I should not be doing the transcription, .... but if this was my forum I would hire or negotiate with someone to do it in real time. This website has become a valuable information tool for many people who don't live in OR or in the USA for that matter. I'm sure the traffic has gone way up on this website. I would call up a court reporting service and see if they could help out donating their time to this effort. I would lock down the forum for just the news conference and simply post the tranny. I don't know of anyone else who is providing this service. I apologize if i repeated info but I was just typing what I heard. I'm really a crummy typist.

It's true, I agree that I should not be doing the transcription, .... but if this was my forum I would hire or negotiate with someone to do it in real time. This website has become a valuable information tool for many people who don't live in OR or in the USA for that matter. I'm sure the traffic has gone way up on this website. I would call up a court reporting service and see if they could help out donating their time to this effort. I would lock down the forum for just the news conference and simply post the tranny. I don't know of anyone else who is providing this service. I apologize if i repeated info but I was just typing what I heard. I'm really a crummy typist.

not really, but they arn't nescesary. if you can veiw this site, then you can view the live streaming broadcast at the link I posted several times. thanks Some folks at work have computers limited by the IT types who won't allow video feeds, and not everyone has broadband connections

Are "the Gullies" the same as the North Face Gullies (one of which being their ascent route)? Lammy, That was my impression. It's all part of the area of concern in trying to find them somewhere on descent. Further the Sheriff said... oops! can't say that :-)

Ok, I guess your the Moderator. I'm happy to abide whatever the rules are. Sorry for the infringement. gappertimmy is the administrator/owner of this site. Thanks Lammy for the info. I don't really know any of you yet. I'm happy to play by the rules, but I did receive feedback from others who cannot get the live internet feeds for real time info. But hey, it's not my forum. :-)

Ok, I guess your the Moderator. I'm happy to abide whatever the rules are. Sorry for the infringement.

I received private emails from folks who can't get live feeds on their computers at work that this info was appreciated so I feel this is the least I can do. The server response got much better after my request to limit your updates.... Thank you. I couldn't post without your help.

Frank James has not been provided with positive ID yet, however he has details such as ring with brother's initials so family has concluded that Kelly is deceased climber. Now Frank reads stmnt. (I am sure stmnt will be posted on news orgs) They believe Kelly has been found, but feels that 2 other brothers are still on the mtn. Deeply , deeply grateful for SAR workers and efforts to find Brian and Jerry. Grateful for all of those who have prayed with them. Have found strength in such support. We find peace that Kelly is with God. Kelly always said he felt closest to God when he was on the mtn. Family is comforted that he went from the mnt, a place he loved. Now Mikala speaking, Jerry Cooke's wife. She mourns loss of Kelly and extend sympathy to their family. All 3 men shared a love and bond for climbing which will last forever. We hope for Brian and Nikko's safe rtn. Now Angela Hall, Brian's sister. We are in deep mourning for Kelly James with deepest sympathies for his family, who are now part of my family. We deeply appreciate all SAR efforts and gratitude for them. Stay safe and warm. Please pray for Brian and Jerry to come home safe. Very very emotional statements by all. Family stmnts concluded.

Family to mike now. Kelly James wife is not present. Frank James is present. Looks very composed as he has all week. Frank James to the mike, will read prepared stmnt, no Q's afterwards.

Family members may come to mike in a few mins to make stmnt.

No feed now. Fox is giving a wrap including a 'how to build a snowcave illustrations/lecture. Adam Housely on the Hood River Airport now says: 3 Family members are here and family will make a statement in a few mins. Chinook takes only 10 SAR personnel to summit each day (hover altitude is limited by weight on board). Ok, conference is over for now.

Conf National Guard now taking questions. Blackhawk chopper arriving now. Stretcher was just put inside Chinook. No family members are present at conf today. Helo crews are very experienced working with SAR onboard. There will be a 2PM press conference.

PLEASE LIMIT YOUR REFRESH TO ONCE EVERY 5 MINUTES. THE SERVER IS GETTING OVERLOADED.

Conf Wampler has left conf. Chinook just arrived to pick up SAR teams and go to summit. National Guard speaking now. Pararescue, PMR and Cragrats transported to summit via Chinook. UH-60 Blackhawks will continue air search. Will take SAR 30 mins to get to body after being put on summit. Extraction plan will develop then. Weather is clear and sunny on top. Body left on mountain undisturbed from found location. No SAR stayed on mtn last night. Avy danger is still high and gullies are very dangerous to SAR (I'm only hearing answers b/c of chopper noise)

Conf Wampler Says strongest climber is in group of 2 still missing. Maybe best chance for survival. Pausing now for chopper landing. (too much noise)

Conf Wampler Complimented SAR teams for finding the snowcave. It was not easy to find and the SAR folks knew what to look for. Elliot Glacier is a mess right now, unsafe to travel on. Families are experiencing really hard times right now. Yesterday was a huge dissappointment for them and all SAR crews. Everyone was going 110%. We will keep on going for the remaining 2 climbers, hoping for a good outcome. Will examine deceased climber as soon as he is brought down to see if there is evidence of injuries that may help understand what happened.

Conf Wampler there have been avy's all week long. We need some wetness and freezing to stabilize the slope. We could throw some TNT but that would just cover up areas and possibly bury climbers, so no explosives for avy cntrl. Done with C-130 b/c they know from their tests that A/C cannot see person inside a snow cave. No signs climbers walked out below so Wampler believes they are above tree line somewhere. There may have been an accident.

Conf Wampler 3 climbers climbed right gully and summitted. Then went south looking for entrance to Pearly Gates to descend. They broke off to the east side and dropped down 300 ft below summit and dug cave for all 3 on Friday night. Sat am, 2 climbers left and went back north to summit ridge. But weather was now bad, 2 climbers try to rtn to cave. There was an anchor near 2nd cave (not a good cave) they put in 2 anchors to be safe while they worked (2 slings on anchor). At that point ice axes found there, ice axes identical (same climber's tools) 1 wool glove, piece of rope as well. Last known place of the 2 climbers. Thinks they tied into anchor b/c of wind. Wampler will not ID body right now until body is brought down.

Conf Wampler 3 climbers climbed right gully and summitted. Then went south looking for entrance to Pearly Gates to descend. They broke off to the east side and dropped down 300 ft below summit and dug cave for all 3 on Friday night. Sat am, 2 climbers left and went back north to summit ridge. But weather was now bad, 2 climbers try to rtn to cave. There was an anchor near 2nd cave (not a good cave) they put in 2 anchors to be safe while they worked (2 slings on anchor). At that point ice axes found there, ice axes identical (same climber's tools) 1 wool glove, piece of rope as well. Last known place of the 2 climbers.

Conference: Will do air search of Gullies/Cooper Spur/Elliot Glacier. Ground crews to search lower areas. Questions now by reporters. It will take less and less people to search now as the area of search narrows. Have not decided how to move body yet. Have to evaluate danger of such, eg. helo vs sled

Conference: Sheriff Wampler speaking reviewing yesterdays ops. Chinook dropped SAR personnel yesterday, 2 caves found, 1 with a body in it. Today helo will take crew up again to mtn as soon as helo's arrive at airport. Will search for 2 missing climbers. Search is now narrowed to cave area and area directly below caves. That area is known as the 'Gullies'. Very steep, easy to fall, lots of avy danger. We cannot put ground crews in there this time of year.

Fox is doing their pre conference show right now. Conf to begin any minute. Sherrif is arriving now. Anyone post live feed links?

You got it. Press conference is scheduled for about 15-20 mins from now.