I feel sad to announce that the drama on Mount Hood, in Oregon, took a tragic turn when the rescue team found one of the three missing climbers dead in a snow cave.
The rescue team, comprising of mountaineers, Airborne paramilitary on helicopters and C-130, is working 24 hrs. Today was a clear day (I could view Mount Hood from my house) that allowed the team to reach up to the summit and search the area for the first time.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of the missing climbers
- A Fellow Climber
The details from the Oregonian is included here -----------------------
Sunday, December 17, 2006
A climber is found dead; search resumes Monday
Searchers found a climber’s body today in a snow cave near the summit of Mount Hood, nine days after three mountaineers became lost.
Discovered at 3:20 p.m., the body was left overnight on the mountain. The search for the remaining two climbers will resume Monday, the last day of clear weather expected.
Authorities notified the climbers’ families of the dead man’s identity tonight and planned to release it to the public Monday morning.
Climbers Brian Hall, 37, of Texas and Jerry “Nikkoâ€