Every year !!!

Ron Smith · 12-13-2009, 12:57 PM

More climbers lost on Mt Hood. They are always described as "experienced climbers", and they always have to be rescued, endangering the rescuer's live's in the process.

Mt Hood ain't exactly Everest, but it's as treacherous in many ways. Every year we go through this stupid scenario.

Am I the only one who thinks it's an idiotic, foolhardy way to die? Just plain dumb!!!

One body found, and the search has been postponed due to the (deadly) conditions on the mountain. The other two will probably show up after the Spring thaw.

fred p · 12-13-2009, 01:03 PM

yep!!! maybe if we start charging them for the rescue or just plain let em freeze it will stop? at what point does our own stupidity come back to bite us? People need to be held accountable for their own decisions.

sheepherder · 12-13-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fred p

yep!!! Maybe if we start charging them for the rescue...

+ 1

Ron Smith · 12-13-2009, 01:14 PM

Fred,

I've spent a good part of my life, including my early childhood exploring the Cascade Mountains. I learned very early to never challenge Mother Nature. I've involuntarily spent a couple of nights freezing in the cold rain hunkered next to a tree. She can kill you in a blink, but I've never purposely dared her to. As I said, it's just plain stupid.

I believe that they do charge rescued survivors now. A close friend's brother-in-law was a team leader in Mountain Rescue. They were on Hood a few years ago, during a heavily televised rescue. Bryant Gumbel showed up with a news crew and interupted a briefing that they were having at base camp. He told Gumbel to back-off or he would throw his ass off the mountain. Believe me when I say, he would have. He's one tough guy...

Ron

fred p · 12-13-2009, 01:21 PM

Ron,
you are right. when circumstances put you there it's one thing. when shear disrespect for mother nature and stupidity put you there ..... well..... shame on ya! maybe a sign at the bottom that reads.... leave a DNA sample here so we can identify you in the spring.

Curly1 · 12-13-2009, 01:27 PM

How bout we just leave em there. You want the adventure be ready to pay the price.

Ron Smith · 12-13-2009, 01:32 PM

Gary,

Considering the conditions. That is possibly what they will have to do. It wouldn't be the first time.

"More than 130 people have died climbing Mount Hood since records have been kept. One of the worst climbing accidents occurred in 1986, when seven teenagers and two school teachers froze to death while attempting to retreat from a storm."

The "86 rescue was when Gene threatened to throw Gumbel off of the mountain.

Ron

policeluger · 12-13-2009, 02:06 PM

Ron, that is a beautiful picture....

Ron Smith · 12-13-2009, 02:14 PM

Here's an incident that occured during a rescue. The guy with the sun glasses and mustache in the still photo shortly after it starts (8 seconds in) is Gene, my friends brother-in-law.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO1F6iqsUUE

Howard,

The Hood River valley is one of the most beautiful areas in the state, noted for it's apple orchards and great soil. The lake in the foreground is "Lost Lake".

Ron

policeluger · 12-13-2009, 02:36 PM

I travel through some of that country going on my Canada moose trips......like I said beautiful and the wife loves it....but our grand daughter is in South Dakota, as we will also be at Christmas, and this is where she will have me retire to.....at least its out of Calif.

Ron Smith · 12-13-2009, 02:39 PM

Just as well. The property in and around Hood River is like Vail, Colorado. Over priced and over taxed.

Edward Tinker · 12-13-2009, 03:19 PM

Its how we are as Americans; to purposely leave stranded folks when we can rescue them, is well unhumane and against what I beleive in. I can shake my head and wish that they would not be idiots, but I apprecaite and love the rescuers.

My perception changed after our house fire where the local firemen went into the burning house and saved most of our dogs, to include giving them mouth to mouth (ambu bags I am sure) and saved several.

My point is; if there is a bad car wreck caused by some idiots, I'll still stop and help them. What goes around, comes around

Ed

Norme · 12-13-2009, 03:44 PM

Weather can change rapidly and unexpectedly in the high country. I live at 7,500', and what started out as a sunny morning has turned into a blizzard as I write this!

FNorm · 12-13-2009, 03:55 PM

Believe me, I ain't gonna risk my life to save your silly arse! What's that? You have a luger you'll give me? What toggle mark, condition, and year?

FN

12-13-2009, 12:57 PM	#1
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Every year !!! More climbers lost on Mt Hood. They are always described as "experienced climbers", and they always have to be rescued, endangering the rescuer's live's in the process. Mt Hood ain't exactly Everest, but it's as treacherous in many ways. Every year we go through this stupid scenario. Am I the only one who thinks it's an idiotic, foolhardy way to die? Just plain dumb!!! One body found, and the search has been postponed due to the (deadly) conditions on the mountain. The other two will probably show up after the Spring thaw. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said... Last edited by Ron Smith; 12-13-2009 at 02:06 PM.

12-13-2009, 01:14 PM	#4
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Fred, I've spent a good part of my life, including my early childhood exploring the Cascade Mountains. I learned very early to never challenge Mother Nature. I've involuntarily spent a couple of nights freezing in the cold rain hunkered next to a tree. She can kill you in a blink, but I've never purposely dared her to. As I said, it's just plain stupid. I believe that they do charge rescued survivors now. A close friend's brother-in-law was a team leader in Mountain Rescue. They were on Hood a few years ago, during a heavily televised rescue. Bryant Gumbel showed up with a news crew and interupted a briefing that they were having at base camp. He told Gumbel to back-off or he would throw his ass off the mountain. Believe me when I say, he would have. He's one tough guy... Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

12-13-2009, 01:27 PM	#6
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,242 Thanks: 117 Thanked 714 Times in 371 Posts	How bout we just leave em there. You want the adventure be ready to pay the price. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

12-13-2009, 01:32 PM	#7
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Gary, Considering the conditions. That is possibly what they will have to do. It wouldn't be the first time. "More than 130 people have died climbing Mount Hood since records have been kept. One of the worst climbing accidents occurred in 1986, when seven teenagers and two school teachers froze to death while attempting to retreat from a storm." The "86 rescue was when Gene threatened to throw Gumbel off of the mountain. Ron Attached Images __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

12-13-2009, 02:14 PM	#9
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Here's an incident that occured during a rescue. The guy with the sun glasses and mustache in the still photo shortly after it starts (8 seconds in) is Gene, my friends brother-in-law. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO1F6iqsUUE Howard, The Hood River valley is one of the most beautiful areas in the state, noted for it's apple orchards and great soil. The lake in the foreground is "Lost Lake". Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

12-13-2009, 01:03 PM	#2
fred p User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: N.C. usa Posts: 86 Thanks: 10 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	yep!!! maybe if we start charging them for the rescue or just plain let em freeze it will stop? at what point does our own stupidity come back to bite us? People need to be held accountable for their own decisions.

12-13-2009, 01:21 PM	#5
fred p User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: N.C. usa Posts: 86 Thanks: 10 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Ron, you are right. when circumstances put you there it's one thing. when shear disrespect for mother nature and stupidity put you there ..... well..... shame on ya! maybe a sign at the bottom that reads.... leave a DNA sample here so we can identify you in the spring.

12-13-2009, 02:06 PM	#8
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	Ron, that is a beautiful picture....

12-13-2009, 02:36 PM	#10
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	I travel through some of that country going on my Canada moose trips......like I said beautiful and the wife loves it....but our grand daughter is in South Dakota, as we will also be at Christmas, and this is where she will have me retire to.....at least its out of Calif.

12-13-2009, 02:39 PM	#11
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Just as well. The property in and around Hood River is like Vail, Colorado. Over priced and over taxed. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

12-13-2009, 03:19 PM	#12
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	Its how we are as Americans; to purposely leave stranded folks when we can rescue them, is well unhumane and against what I beleive in. I can shake my head and wish that they would not be idiots, but I apprecaite and love the rescuers. My perception changed after our house fire where the local firemen went into the burning house and saved most of our dogs, to include giving them mouth to mouth (ambu bags I am sure) and saved several. My point is; if there is a bad car wreck caused by some idiots, I'll still stop and help them. What goes around, comes around Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

12-13-2009, 03:44 PM	#13
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Weather can change rapidly and unexpectedly in the high country. I live at 7,500', and what started out as a sunny morning has turned into a blizzard as I write this!

12-13-2009, 03:55 PM	#14
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	Believe me, I ain't gonna risk my life to save your silly arse! What's that? You have a luger you'll give me? What toggle mark, condition, and year? FN