Ryland Moore, thanks for the "newbie" post. As an avid backpacker, and beginning mountaineer (winter backpacking in mountainous regions like the Daks' with peak bagging excursions on non-technical peaks), I appreciate your explanation, and the time you took to explain the situation. Further, I agree that those guys SHOULD NOT be called hikers. Hopefully reporters will get it right someday.
I know the backpacking community is following this story and hoping for a positive outcome. I, along with many of my fellow backpackers will be keeping the climbers, thier families and the SAR people in our thoughts.
