Dechristo

The contents of the note (concerning items they packed) would have little to no bearing on the SAR efforts; although, it is of great import to those of us who aren't involved in the SAR effort.

Elevating the floor is only done normally when a team/group plans to use the cave as an extended shelter (base camp) and have the time to allow for the construction of what is a more elaborate cave. I would be very surprised to learn these guys took the time and effort to dig a cave with an elevated floor considering reports they were in a "go for help" mode. An open entrance on the type of cave these guys dug (probably, considering their construed situation), whose floor is near level with the bottom of the entrance would allow for the greatest heat loss possible. Controlling air infiltration/exchange is the greatest factor in trying to retain heat in this type of structure; remember, all the surfaces of this structure, be they snow, ice, and/or rock, are heat sinks. You're losing heat to the walls, floor, and ceiling of the structure itself. The only chance you have of retaining any of it is by closing it off and, then, maintaining a minimal opening to provide a comfortable amount of fresh air. Of course, these measures construct a perfectly camoflaged shelter, nearly undetectable to a person outside. If these guys aren't found right after the weather window opens, I wouldn't be surprised. Most of the time I spent stranded in a snow cave due to weather I spent sleeping.

Forwarded: Below is information on the Zack Martin Breaking Barriers (ZMBB) grant fund. The information includes the specifics of the grant, its purpose, the American Alpine Club website, the 2006 ZMBB recipient report and photos and OF COURSE donation opportunities. In 2007 there will be a few changes including: 1) Applicants for 2007 will complete a short abstract rather than the full length proposal that is due in mid-Feb (date TBD). From this three applicants will be chosen and required to provide all of the grant information. 2) Increased fundraising activity including donation requests, used gear sales, charitable events and Ebay sales. (I need any used gear or saleable items for Ebay and used gear sales. Please contact to donate.) If you have forgotten or do not know the reason for ZMBB GRANT please take a minute or two and read the grant specifics below. Also, I encourage you to see the attached report and photo from the 2006 grant recipient, Adam French. American Alpine Club Website http://www.americanalpineclub.org/ ZMBB Grant Website: The Grant Fund Specifics The "Breaking Barriers" grant will be awarded to young, promising climbers and mountaineers to support the exploration of the unknown. This grant is different from others because their is a humanitarian aspect. Each recipient must "tackle" a worthy alpine objective but also perform a humanitarian service for the local people. Zack received several grants from the AAC, Anatoli Boukreev and others but he was never satisfied with only physical exploration. He wanted to explore the people, their customs and their hearts in an attempt to "give something back"......to...... "break barriers". This makes the grant unique and a most honorable cause. To date, we have collected around $35,000 and my target is $100,000 so we can offer $5,000 a year in perpetuity http://www.americanalpineclub.org/knowledge/grants_Zack_%20Martin.asp'>http://www.americanalpineclub.org/knowledge/grants_Zack_%20Martin.asp http://www.americanalpineclub.org/knowledge/grants_Zack_ Martin.asp Humanitarian Org Website For The Grant http://www.americanalpineclub.org/knowledge/Hum_Orgs_AAC_Partners.asp Zack Martin website at: http://home.att.net/~zack_martin_breaking_barriers Donations American Alpine Club c/o Grant Donations 710 10th St Suite 100 Golden, Colorado 80401 Include on the check memo -- Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Fund (All donations are tax deductible) . Thanks JP John Parsons

another, hopefully, soon-to-be-axed post from the "3 Lost On Mt. Hood" thread:

The world is your mirror

.

I have a friend with a wooden leg named "Ralph".

that's not sayin' much as DeC's are notoriously slow, in all manner

what a fuckin' idiot

yeah, what he said

He's a regular On The Spot

Hey dumbass, maybe you didn't notice, but they started the climb last week (just when you wanted them to) and the storms happened this week. Hey Ignoramdumbass, we're talking snow caves here. Nice catch to copy this post before Timmay deleted it, G-spot.

a believer in immodium

From Wiki: "Unlike most bourbons, Maker's Mark is not aged for any specific period of years; rather it is bottled and marketed when expert tasters agree that it is ready."

yeah, but you know (otherwise, you wouldn't have included it), that air hole maintenance is the primary air source. The snow surfaces inside an occupied snow cave glaze over from humidity and interior temperature raised above freezing due to body heat

you don't like your fanny pack(ed)?

nice. good to hear the serac-fall in the background. pretty bizarre to have a tram ride for your downclimb. warning: the xenophobic may want to turn your audio "off" to prevent being offended by the filthy pig-latin spoken.

well, you'd better get the A-Team together. The local authorities are infiltrated by mean & nasty-ne'er-do-wells intending to sabotage any efforts at organized SAR.

ya gotta keep poking your axe out through the snow to maintain an air hole(s)

you can be regular anywhere else and still find that you're constipated (full of shit) on cc.com

I don't have the frickin' plug-in

sometimes you scare me Dechristo... the thought-process is too uncanny I am a voice crying in the wilderness, "make straight the way of the Borg".

"Today, Maker's Mark is owned by Lincolnshire, Illinois-based Fortune Brands, which acquired it from distillery giant UK-based Allied Domecq in 2005 (as well as Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Canadian Club whisky, Laphroaig single-malt Scotch and Clos du Bois wines) in a joint bid with French rival Pernod Ricard."

"According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Maker’s Mark holds a 77% share of the U.S. fine bourbon market"

"It is allegedly one of the favorite alcoholic beverages of Cuban president Fidel Castro..."