KitCatherine

I am watching the conference now, and they said they will keep searching as weather permits with the planes (if I understood correctly), but if they are buried in the snow as feared, it won't be until spring until they can get them down. The Deputy Sheriff said they just can't get men into that avalanche area where they fear the men are. Let me tell you, both Sheriff Wampler and the Deputy Sheriff Chris were choking back tears and some still coming, in doing this. They said this was a very risky thing for them to even say, and how incredibly difficult it was to say. It was heartbreaking. They said their #1 goal is to still get these men down off the mountain, and to provide that for the families. That was really hard to even watch.

Thanks guys! I wish I had kept my shoes! But, my feet have grown so it wouldn't matter much anyway. I will go down next week and start pricing everything out. I have a small bonus coming in January, so my supply purchase has to wait until then, but I can start scoping, and I plan on watching Tim's crew climb in the gym on the 30th. Hey, its a start! Oh, I ordered Freedom of the Hills from Amazon today, so thats on its way as well.

I have some more "newbie" questions. I have read a lot about stuff you need, but how about brand recommendations? I remember when I was at Washington State University, the mountain shop "Hyperspud" was huge into Petzel and Prana. So, if you wanted stuff, those were the brands. I know from working in retail, sometimes there are products that are made by two different companies...one is $100, and one is $65, and both are the exact same quality. I don't mind spending money, but I want to not be wasting it either. So, if there are better types of shoes, harnesses, biners, etc, that are known solidly for good reputations, etc, I would appreciate learning this before I go shopping!

I have to take that class first! They are all in the evenings, which isn't good, because thats when I work! If I have an evening off next week (I haven't seen my schedule yet) I will take the class and join in on the following Saturday. Otherwise, I will come down at around 3 on Saturday the 30th (if I don't work, i normally don't) to watch you all. Just let me know if you guys cancel, so I don't come out and be a fool.

Tim, I did email you. I normally never work Saturdays (except this one)so I am thinking I will swing in the Saturday after Christmas to see what its all about and just watch you guys for awhile. Wild Walls gives a college student discount on monthly memberships, so that works for me! I want to thank all of you so much! I am certainly not done with this thread, but i hope to join up with some of you this winter and spring (yeah, I am in for the Vantage thing ) and learn, learn, learn.

It was mentioned on CNN and MSNBC today as yet another reason "climbers" should be wary since they are seeing Mt. St. Helens having "plumes" today. Mountains are active volcanos. Yadda yadda yadda. All that normal jazz.

Weekend_Climberz-between all of the chinchilla forums and Weight Watcher forums, I do pretty good!

We don't have any classes from December 7th to January 7th. So, not slacking, just in between quarters on winter break. But, don't feel bad. My chinchilla business keeps me sane, working my job on break keeps me busy, and finishing school gives me hope for a retirement! LMAO

Both the MSNBC website anda this KATU video states it was a dislocated shoulder. The night before, many stations were reporting it was probably a broken arm. This link provides the Unedited conference from this morning that Wampler gave. It helped me in only seeing the parts that MSNBC showed on their site, and what I saw on CNN. http://www.katu.com/home/video/4957786.html?video=YHI&t=a

Enselson-Because I work 3-11pm the rest of this week! During quarterly breaks, I work 40 hours to make up for lack of schoolwork. Plus, I want to drag my husband with me, and he works overnights while he is in school, so he is sleeping right now. In January, when our classload is back in full swing, we have Fridays and Saturdays to spend with each other, so I will start then. For now, its read, listen, and learn. Weekend_Climberz-I will probably take you up on that! No doubt I have ANY issues taking first aid and survival. In my brain, thats #1. Feeling safe and secure matters most.

Something else heard mention in Wampler's statement this morning is that even when you have 20 people climbing a mountain, you only have one set of tracks, because everyone steps in the first person's tracks. He said there were two sets of tracks that were found, side by side, indicating that POSSIBLY, one of the two was helping another. He didn't say whether he thought the injured person was Kelly, or one of the others. Just stated the possibility that someone was injured on the ascent, which would explain two sets of tracks.

I take a lot of crap for going into Social Work. Its a difficult field to work in, and because Washington is a state where the title of "Social Worker" is not a sanctioned job, it means people who may have NO training, can be called Social Workers. In 35 states, the title means you have a Masters in Social Work, on top of ongoing training. In Washington and Idaho, this name can be applied to anyone, regardless of formal training, or what the job actually entails. So, we are often met with adversity, because in this state, its a bad rep. I actually don't know a single climber. The ones I KNEW are no longer in the area, or I have lost touch with them. My husband is all for me doing this and continuing to learn, and he said he was interested in seeing if HE liked it, as he has never been on long hikes (we did a lot of hikes through Mt. Rainier's Glaciers) snowshoeing, wall climbing, etc. So, I have a supporter and possibly a partner in him, but other than him, I know no one. So my intial plan is to get the books, read them, do a snowshoeing day trip in February, and start down at the rock climbing gym to get my feet wet again. Oh, and join the Spokane Mountaineers Club. Sounds like a good start?

Books Books Books. Got it. Join Spokane Mountaineers. Got it. I had NO clue we had an indoor climbing gym in downtown Spokane. That would actually be a great way for me to get my husband started as well. Maybe I will see about doing the Mt. Spokane Snowshoeing next month. I loved Snowshoeing. It would get me back in the feeling of why I enjoyed it so much. We were such avid hikers, because my father never felt it was safe for me to learn to climb. Are the main clases through the club? From what i had been able to tell on their website, getting into classes for 2007 means you needed to be a member for 2006. Hmmmmm Again, I am thanking you all! I know my lack of how to start is probably frustrating, and I have been learning terms via reading threads, but some things don't have a lot of discussion. Maybe this will spur other lurkers to join in. Neither of us have any friends who climb, whatsoever.

I am getting a masters in Social Work.

LMAO Well, plenty! Thats Buffalo Junior, a brown velvet male, who weighs 2lbs and I sent him to Judy Pede to put with some specific males.

The video for that quote is on MSNBC, if it helps any. That video talked about the two planes that would be used for visual signs, and the start of avalanche searching, which would involve possible ideas of the two men being in a crag and stuck there, covered up by snow, waiting for help; or in a snow cave buried, or the less favorable outcomes as well. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16279147/ I would like to learn more about what equipment was found yesterday, if anyone knows actual facts. I didn't see that on TV (just on the quotes) but can't find anything about it from a reputable news source online. I edited to say that the strength of Wampler in the conferences is greatly impressing. I would only hope that someday, if I were lost, the person in charge of my SAR would be as level headed, and mellow and professional as he is.

Really! A coworker of mine calls them the "Devil Shop" when it comes to biking equipment, so I had ruled them out. Maybe I will stop in there next week and see what they can advise. For those of you in the eastern washington area, if I were to embark on my first easy climb this year, any recommendations? I have been told Vantage is easy, but I need a First Timer's Climb.

I don't know if it helps any, but in rewatching the footage of this morning's conference, he did not have a broken arm, but a dislocated shoulder.

My goal for climbing was to start in June 2008. I finish my Masters Program at that time, and when you aren't taking out $20,000 in student loans a year, climbing is more financially affordable. Part of my goal for year 2007 is to learn more, and I should add in hiking in steeper terrain. I would also like to slowly start buying equipment. But, if REI isn't the place to go, those of you in Spokane, what do YOU recommend for supplies? I just Amazone'd that book and plan on purchasing it after the holidays.

We have Mt. Spokane about 35 miles from where I live. We actually have never been up there, so maybe starting on a hike up there would be a good way? I guess what I am NOT learning is what supplies you need for an easy hike, and how to properly utilize them. I have hiked for all of my life, (not so much in Spokane) but growing up in the PNW, hiking was something we did in the Noth Cascades, Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Adams. So, hiking is something I feel comfortable with. I just am not sure how to switch to climbing on something easy and know what I am doing.

I forgot to add....cycling is something I enjoy, (I HATE RUNNING) and am in the market to buying a higher end bike in February, so that is something I can add.

Thanks for the reference for the books. I have to ask, what is wrong with Spokane Mountaineers? I don't know anything about them, so I don't know. How about a good supply shop in Eastern Wa?

Hello everyone, I have been reading here for a few months, and have no intentions to climb THIS upcoming year, but to prepare myself for climbing, and understanding. A little bit about myself (introductions seem a good thing). I am a 26 year old female, and I recently lost 45 lbs, bringing my weight to 130(Just a little proud of that). To me, losing that extra weight was a step in the right direction towards getting myself FIT to learn climbing. In junior high and high school, I would rock climb at indoor facilities, but that was back in Seattle. At that time, I had also learned basic orienteering, which I will definately need to refresh. I now reside in Spokane with my husband, and I guess we don't really know WHERE to start. I keep reading that REI is not the place to buy supplies. For those of you in Spokane, what do you recommend? I have also yet to find a training facility to LEARN how to climb in this area. It may be becuase of my ignorance, but I want to learn, and learn correctly. I would also like advice on PHYSICAL training. I know that the better shape you are in, the more enjoyable a climb is. What are some suggested training methods? I asked my gym, and they just looked at me funny. Apparently, climbing is not often "trained for" openly, or at least these trainers did not understand what was needed. I am not entirely sure either. I just want to learn properly, and learn the best I can, to be prepared for a first climb. I have given myself a year to get more physically fit to be able to do this. So, any advice, ideas, etc, is appreciated. Being a newbie, I want to learn and be prepared.

Yes, from what I was able to tell on CNN, he stated that an avalanche team was being put together, and they would start "poking" in the snow where it was safe. And, unless new developments were established, there would be no more scheduled press conferences. The reporters went on to discuss that the Chinook and C130s (??) would not be utilized today. They have another kind of plane or helicopter (I didn't understand what they were exactly) but that they had two at their disposal to continue doing visual spots. It was very difficult to watch, as Angela Hall started speaking about the hopes for her brother to come home. Wampler discussed that he was very concerned the two were packed very lightly, from the photos they retrieved off of Kelly's camera. He stated they were on a "fast ascent" approach, which would mean travelling light. He stated the photos seemed to indicate this theory. Something I couldn't figure out. The quotes on the bottom of CNN were saying they found more supplies and more axes? Is that true? Or, was it just a bad quotation?

It does, thank you. I had several friends who "ice climbed" in the vantage area in the winter, and then what I remember growing up as a child (and what I have read here for a few months) but when that comment was made on the news, I was going "well, is it based on route, or is it just the mountain is not normally climbed?" Thank you for clarifying!