Telektr

Thanks for your well written words. As someone who has joined in since this tragic event, I feel compassion for the individuals and families involved, admiration for the SAR groups, and......a true sense of a community here that really cares about its members. I wade through the negative....as there will always be that...but more importantly I come away with an increased knowledge. We should all learn from this experience.

I like the idea that a self rescue was in the works. It reinforces my belief that leaving an injured partner at 10300 with weather moving in was potentially a compromising situation. Perhaps Kelly was in the cave waiting for the "setup" to be completed by Brian and Jerry. A broken arm is certainly something that could be "walked out" if that was his only injury. Something happened and the descent of all 3 safely under rescue never occurred. The guys tried there best to get Kelly off safely rather than going for help....pure speculation on my part. Thanks to all of the SAR and to the families I express my deepest condolences.

As we sat glued to Fox news this afternoon, the ups and downs were agonizing. The final reports of a fatality were very emotional for us and the feeling of utter drain that the families must be experiencing is unimaginable. Our hearts go out to all involved. We still have 2 up there to keep our hopes up. Tomorrow is another day....

Staying put and being as visible as possible would be what I would do. If they tried to move, with the instability of the surroundings, a self triggered avi would not be a fun thing right now. With all of the air power up there, that's the best chance of being spotted.

Great photo...you have it right. Today is the day to get this done. Can I assume that Mt Hood is in the background to the left?

Hardly any wind at 6K this morning so far... 12-16-2006 Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center Timberline Lodge, Oregon Precip gage not heating 12-15-06 MM/DD Hour Temp RH Wind Wind Wind Wind Hour Total 24 Hr Total PST F % Min Avg Max Dir Prec. Prec. Snow Snow 6000' 6000" 6000' 6000' 6000' 6000' 6000' 6000' 6000' 6000' ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 15 600 19 98 3 13 26 270 0 0 7 74 12 15 700 18 98 4 12 23 269 0 0 9 77 12 15 800 19 98 3 11 22 278 0 0 10 81 12 15 900 17 97 6 15 33 285 0 0 10 81 12 15 1000 17 97 5 14 32 280 0 0 10 81 12 15 1100 17 98 3 13 23 272 0 0 11 82 12 15 1200 17 98 5 12 24 275 0 0 11 282 12 15 1300 17 97 5 12 24 284 0 0 11 82 12 15 1400 17 97 3 11 26 279 .01 .01 12 82 12 15 1500 15 97 4 10 22 285 0 .01 12 83 12 15 1600 15 97 1 9 32 299 .01 .02 13 83 12 15 1700 15 97 2 10 22 290 .03 .05 13 84 12 15 1800 15 97 1 5 13 286 .02 .07 13 84 12 15 1900 15 97 2 6 12 302 .02 .09 13 84 12 15 2000 14 96 3 9 14 315 .01 .1 13 84 12 15 2100 13 96 4 8 14 323 0 .1 13 84 12 15 2200 12 95 3 7 14 326 .01 .11 13 84 12 15 2300 11 95 2 5 8 336 0 .11 13 83 12 16 0 12 95 2 5 8 339 .01 .12 13 83 12 16 100 12 95 -0 3 5 3 0 .12 13 83 12 16 200 14 96 -0 3 9 52 .01 .13 13 83 12 16 300 14 95 1 6 11 75 0 .13 12 83 12 16 400 14 95 1 7 16 80 0 .13 13 83 12 16 500 15 93 2 9 15 81 0 .13 1 83

With calming winds / clearing skys, and the guys should know this by their alitmeters, the copters and C130 will be making lots of noise. I would guess that from the crack of dawn, if not earlier, everyone will be in 100% overdrive for this....someone will be out of the cave, waving and creating a scene and will be spotted by something in the air. Then the task will be to move carefully since unstable terraine will be present. Not sure whether they will approached from below or above. Slow is smooth.....smooth is fast.... This is the day we'll see them again....

This is the best forecast that we have had in quite some time. SAR should have a very good and hopefully fruitful day on the mountain tomorrow. Lets all help them out with upbeat vibes all day long!! GFS Forecast for Saturday 1800 UTC

Kauli....you have come across the best source of info in this site. I too was looking for info once I first heard of the situation last weekend. Not only is the info as current as you can find but more importantly, the guys on this site are upbeat and positive, which I believe really helps the situation in big ways. Keep adding your positve energy from across the big pond and welcome!!!!

Again from Vermont, another day dawns here with continued hope and positive energy for a safe return of the climbers, rescuers and strength to the family members.

letsroll, your line of thinking is exactly why I elected to learn and become part of the solution. I far from know it all but what I do know, feels good.... so do it...

Well put Jason. It does not only take the knowhow to get in and out but also what to do when you find the person. Another tidbit coming from a SOLO First Responder...is that hypothermia is a real bitch. It does not take much drop (1-2 deg F ) in body core temp to start impacting ones ability to make good judgments. Even if the fellow at 10300 knows what to do at sea level, once he gets into a bad situation, I hope that he can keep it together enough to light the stove, heat warm liquids and keep himself alive. This is where his fellow climbers would have been very helpful. There must have been a very good reason for them to have left him alone. Our prayers are with you all.....climbers and rescuers. Thanks to the ones that want to "get involved"!!!