lbeam

Right on - thanks for the road report man! I'm calling in sick to work tomorrow (ice fever = rare, but highly contagious) so it's nice to know we can get to the goods without having to break out the taun tauns.

CONGRATS MEL!!! Hey, is Jake Porter base off my 'real life' sweetie? Can't wait to read the book! hummm... better sex life for those who read romance novels....I better start reading again! Winter is coming and nothing like a good night of lovin' to heat the sheets up!

Holy crap -I feel the need for more cowbells!!

BTW, LHamilton: Thanks for sharing those photos of Dr Lee. My prayers are with you and his family.

I can agree that a helmet probably wouldn't have saved his life, but to quote his wife: "But Gary Lee, who had summited Mount Hood more than 40 times, knew the mountain "from all angles . . . and at all times of the year," said his wife, Dr. Stephanie Harris" If that is the case, it does seem a bit careless to climb that area this time of year, especially to down climb that particular route when there is a significant lack of snow. Also, it was my understanding that they were on the route rather late in the day which would contribute to rock fall. I know that people still have enjoyed these climbs late in the season, but if your life depended on it, I guess the hassle of a car shuttle to the South Side doesn't sound too bad. I don't mean to sound insensitive, I DO grieve along with his family, but lets not be hard on the rescuers that do put their lives at risk to help out a fellow climber. Especially these days when the media and public is out to claim that climbing is a reckless and dangerous activity. Also, the media may have taken Rollins quote a bit out of context.

The forest service reports that the road to climbers bivouac is now open!

Wow - looks like everyone on the mountain Monday was a CC.com sprayer... We turned around at the top of the Hogsback just as Robert & crew were finishing up the last of their gnarly P.G. descent. Looked like pretty slow going but good on ya for purposefully descending that mess. Lots of little ice bullets coming off the cliffs above. I too was surprised to see that group heading straight for DKHW at noon. You can get away with that nonsense in February but not in May. Oh wait - it was February. Felt like May though... Helluva day to play on the mountain!!!

OMG! Too stinkin cute!! Keep the guys away from her.

Portland State University is hosting the Telluride Mountainfilm Festival and ticket proceeds go to PMR. Come show your support of our local mountain rescue organization and enjoy some good adventure films. When: Thursday, January 31st Time: doors open at 6:30 pm, films begin at 7:30 pm Tickets: $10 student, $12 non-student (day of) $6 student, $8 non-student (if purchased in advance) Where:PSU Smith Memorial Student Union, room #355 Map :www.pdx.edu/map.html There will be a raffle and silent auction of gear generously donated by local businesses. Parking will be difficult due to construction. Please PM me if you have any questions.

Okay, pager just went off....which one of you guys is up there? Sounds like Leuthold Couloir -2 climbers overdue. Hope all come off alright.

Rescuers are getting frusterated with reckless mistakes that climbers are making. This group, for instance, had all sorts of maps, a compass, a gps, and altimeter, but no one was knowledgeable on how to use these tools. Also it seemed that they weren't familiar with the surroundings. One guy didn't know where Yocum Ridge was. Instead of being self-sufficient, it seemed that this group took the easy way out and called for help instead of trying to get themselves out of trouble. This group should have been working on their navigational skills on the South Side of the mountain that day instead of trying to attempt Leuthold Couloir.

Happy ending for all, including the pooch. I guess the dog helped aid in keeping the climbers warm throughout the night. Glad to hear that everyone is down off the mountain safe.

Glad to hear all will be ok! I am for bringing the dog. My dog loves it and there is no way we could get out of the house without her. She can tell what's going on when we are packing up our gear. And if we stay home for a weekend, boy does she let us know that we are pathetic. Some dogs do real well outdoors, take em out and have some fun together. But maybe keep an eye on them in areas that tend to be more dangerous.

I was just beginning to think the same....is this you guys?

I think that the climbers over compensated -trying to avoid heading towards Zig Zag and ended up near WRC. I have almost done that before, but checked the GPS and got myself back on track. I think that it was the sign of glide cracks in the snow that made me think...

Mt Doom strikes again..... Sure has been a lot going on up there in the past couple months. People are really going to think that climbers are idiots. Oh well, I still say screw them and keep living it up out there, where it's beautiful. Just had an update: according to the GPS coordinates that the climbers gave, rescuers think that the group may be in the White River Caynon. The group (8) camped over night at Illumination Saddle, and were heading down in a white out. 3 climbers fell off cornice, cliff...or something. That's what is known so far, I am sure that the info will probably change several times until it's all over and everyone's down safe.

Just want to make a correction, Tickets are $6 for students, $8 for general public. To all that are planning on going: thanks for the support! If I have time maybe I will stop by for a quick beer before I have to set up at the film festival. Otherwise, stop by the PMR table and say hi!

I would like to add a few notes about the Film Festival: This event is taking place at Portland State University, I believe that the SMSU Ballroom is in a building right off of Broadway. Probably will have to deal with street parking. Films start at 7:00pm, finish up around 9:30-10:00pm. There will be a brief intermission to raffle off gear donated from local outdoor stores, as well as, a silent auction(I think that you bid before the films start). PMR will have a table set up with info about the organization. Please stop by and say "hi"! Ahhh...if there are any questions, please feel free to ask.

The Outdoor Program at Portland State University is hosting the annual Telluride Mountain Film Festival. Proceeds go to Portland Mountain Rescue, a non-profit, volunteer organization. As a lot of cc.com folks know, PMR has had a very busy year, helping with many rescue efforts on Mt Hood. The festival will be held in the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom(room #355)at PSU on Tuesday, February 20th. Doors open at 6:00pm. Tickets are $8 and are available at PSU box office, through ticketmaster, or at the door. So come out, watch some cool adventure films, and support the guys/gals that help out on the mountain.

My heart and prayers go out to the families of Jerry, Brian and Kelly. These 3 adventurous souls are now with God. They lived their lives to the fullest. God bless them and their families who supported them. We had all hoped for them to make it through this tragedy. Be strong during these rough times.

For those of who would like to help out with one of these organizations, but feel that they aren't strong enough climbers/skiers, or don't have the time to dedicate for all the training hours, can sign up as an associate. Associates are not field deployable. Talk to your local SAR org. and find out what you might be able to contribute in some way or another. I know that it takes a lot to run an organization and they can always use the help. Don't sign up just so you can say that you are part of one of these organizations. Sign up to because you can and will contribute.

Yeah, we climbers have a weird sense of humour and like to make odd jokes when times are miserable. I guess that is our way of dealing. One of the guys I climbed with always would say "the beatings will continue until morale improves"

Originally, I wasn't going to respond to your questioned, but I am way too pissed off by it that I can't help but to say something. It's up to the rescuers to decide what is "safe" for them. Besides, why should rescuers put their lives more at risk for others who put themselves in such obvious danger. Those guys lost up there on Hood, well, they put themselves in that danger. They decided to pack light because speed was more important, and also took a chance with the weather. I am not here to critisize about anything they did. I am just saying that you should lay of the rescuers, they can't be expected to be superheroes at all times. The guys missing are experienced enough to know that during these situations, they probably aren't going to get the hasty rescue that they are more than likely praying for. Which is the biggest tragedy, 3 climbers that parish on the mountain, or a rescuer that dies risking his/her own life in dangerous conditions to try to save them? I support the fact that my husband helps out on a rescue team. And I know that it is very frusterating to him and the others that they can't get to these guys on the mountain. I also like knowing that more than likely, I am going to get to see him at the end of a search mission because they do consider their own safety very important. It's one thing to put yourself more at risk when you are out there climbing, but to expect others to do it so they can save your butt is truely selfish. Psst. Movies such as Verticle Limit and Cliff Hanger.....aren't realistic.

I think that they were trying have searchers check out all possible areas. The news probably didn't mention every location that searches were being held. I know that they wanted to check out the SW side just in case the climbers decided that South side would be an easier way off the mountain. With the line of fall, and in white out conditions could have those guys wondering into the Zig zag area.

DonnV said he saw them and had spoken to them Thurday afternoon at the TJA. So that gives a pretty good indication that they stuck to their plans of going up Friday. I read on most of the news reports that they headed out Wednesday. But I think that they were just going as far as the TJA. Then leaving early Friday Morning for one of the NF gullies.