Severe weather may halt search for missing Mt. Hood climbers

Whiteout conditions may prevent search and rescue crews from continuing efforts to locate two climbers missing on Oregon's Mt. Hood since Friday. Officials told Oregon Fox Television affiliate KPTV that "crews remain on standby" as the situation is being assessed almost hourly.

Authorities are still hoping that experienced climbers Anthony Vietti, 24, of Longview, Wash., and Katie Nolan, 29, of Portland, Ore., could be found alive.

Sadly, a third climber, Luke T. Gullberg, 26, of Des Moines, Wash., was found dead on Saturday. An autopsy showed that Gullberg died of hypothermia, said Clackamas County Sheriff's office spokesman Jim Strovink.

On Monday, a helicopter was able to search the summit after clouds cleared enough for the pilot and crew to examine high altitudes they were unable to scour previously, but no sign of the two climbers was seen.

Overnight temperatures on the 11,249-foot mountain dipped into the teens, with the forecast calling for a storm expected to bring a foot of snow.

Avalanche danger for Tuesday has been elevated to high, and the forecast from the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center, is not promising:

"Temporarily decreasing snow showers might be seen again Tuesday morning. But I would not recommend travel in avalanche terrain Tuesday morning.

"Another front should cause renewed strong southwest winds, increasing moderate to heavy rain or snow and further warming Tuesday afternoon and night. Not surprisingly this is expected to further build layers of further increasing density and add more loads to previous layers. A renewed high avalanche danger should be seen Tuesday afternoon and night. This should become an increasing classic set up for new slab layers. New slab layers should be most likely on northeast to southeast slopes but may be possible on other aspects such as in the Cascade passes. Natural or triggered avalanches should become more likely Tuesday afternoon and night."

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: A cloud caps Oregon's Mt. Hood. Search and rescue crews have been scouring the 11,249-foot mountain for two climbers missing since Friday. Credit: Don Ryan / Associated Press

Comments

[A]

THERE'S NO FEAR IN GOD'S PERFECT LOVE! May they rest in peace and may the lives that they lived serve as example for those who are still living in shadows of fear and captivity.

[Jeff Schaefer]

WOW! I am extremely saddened by the negative comments that people post on matters like these. I guess by what Colleen has said we should all live our lives out in underground bunkers so that nothing bad ever happens to us. Like getting in a car accident where firemen and police officers would have to respond wasting our precious tax dollars. I am thankful for people that get out and explore and experience life. Katie and Anthony are in my prayers, as well as the families, and for everyone involved in the rescue efforts.

[Timothy Parrish]

Colleen,

When I read your comments my heart ached for you. You are such a hardened and embittered person. You must live a very small, angry life. Please get some professional help. I am sorry for those who live with you and work around you. I can tell from the poison you spew that even your pet is probably traumatized. Your vitriol is only exceeded by your genuine ignorance. Please get help.

[colleen]

John...you are obviously hurting, and this is exactly what I'm trying to get across to you....life isn't about how good we can make ourselves feel. It is about how much we can give to others. I am positive your cousin knows this concept from her works and is sorry she is in the predicament. When we REALLY love others, we ALWAYS think of them first. And, as dull a life as that may seem, there are risks we simply do not take because of our responsibilities, and what loss we would cause to others if we are not there for them. So, yes, I lead a boring life if you measure me by your standards. I truly hope they survive this ordeal. The people that do good on this planet need to stay grounded.

[John McKinney]

colleen...ur the one who's selfish and dont get out and do more with ur life......Maybe you should re-look your first posted comment...!! you so had to let people know your thoughts.....sounds like you need adventure or somthing more useful with your life then sitting on your ass typing crap about family's trauma's,and saying whats selfish and what isn't..."stop judgeing and go live your life".. and its all about seeing the world for what it really is, it's a rush of freedom and excitement,"not just a rush-junkie" But that you could push one's self to do extraordinarly things,one that makes them self happy inside and out to bring them self to the highest of mountains and peaks to feel on top of the world like your one of a kind living that moment, in that place in time peacefully and learning somthing new everyday.....to get out and see the world for what it really is "beautifull"..thats what my cousin katie was doing, somthing she loved.....and i love her for loving every moment of it....

[colleen]

Nice talk and compassion John....that's some Christian attitude. I'll remember not to count on your prayers...yikes. Thanks for the example. Good bye.

[John McKinney]

collen......since you have nothing to do with this and your family isn't envolved, and unless your losing a family member on MT. Hood....Maybe you shouldn't make any comments at all, and just keep your opinions and comments to your self and find somthing else to bitch and complain about..... because your not doing anyone any good opening your mouth to share about stuff your upset about.....save it for your own sorry ass, and stop posting comments like whatever you got to say matters..... if you think you have to say what matters, get your own website and post it.....!!!!!!People like you discust me..... because you got nothing better to do than talk crap and piss others off..........

[colleen]

John.....this is exactly what I mean by my initial comment....I did read that Katie was involved with good works. That is obviously her calling. Going up a mountain ....in the worst possible season/weather conditions, I beleive was NOT her calling. I definately not insensitive to the family's feelings. It is eactly as I mentioned before.....Katie has now put MANY people - including you - through a harrowing ordeal that was not necessary. And to Chris...the explorer.....please think through your comment. Climbing Mt Hood does not rank up there with valuable exploration. Anyone recall a similar situation we were all in 3 yrs ago...same time...same number of people....same sorrow and addness...same prayers going up. Ever think that maybe we should learn some sort of lessons eventually. And shame on you all for thinking I am insensitive....you have NO idea the basis on which I make my comments.

[John McKinney]

thank you to thoes who are sticking up for my cousin katie....keep her in your prayers....we love her very much...and wish she comes home just fine.....same go's for her friend up there with her, pray to lord are loved ones are just fine and will be coming home... ST:John 3:16.....For god so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that who so ever beliveth in him self shall not perish but have everlasting life.....
your cousin, Johnny Mckinney, Quincy WA

[John Whalen]

Eden, perhaps before you committed yourself to making such ignorant comments you should actually try climbing Mt. Hood some early summer day. I would recommend using a professional guide service. Good luck.

[John McKinney]

screw off to thoes people that are talking crap about taxe payers money getting spent trying to find my cousin and her friend, you all need to just shut the hell up...at least the money is there to help.... just because you got nothing better to do than talk crap on these comments, when in all reality you got nothing to do with this..... i love my cousin katie to death and she's up there lost and freezing..... Me and my whole family are praying and others should be to, cuz what if it were one of your family members or loved ones up there.... bet u wouldnt be taking crap then now would you..... i love you katie...... im praying for you...your cousin, Johnny McKinney from Quincy WA....

[Ruthie]

Your comments are incensitive and poorly timed. I am especially concerned with the part about "do something useful with your life". Katie Nolan was my suite mate in college. She has done incredible "things" in her life. Things that will matter for eternity. How dare you make a comment like that when you don't know these people and you can't imagine what their families are going through.

[Chris]

Colleen, I don't even know where to start. All I can say is that fortunately the course of human history has been charted by those who were willing to explore and dream. Following your line of reasoning, isn't all human endeavour pointless? What value does boxing, or sailing, or any other pasttime add to 'society'? Enjoy being a member of the flock. In the end, the joke is on you, becuase while you and I both have to die, I get to truely live.

[Chris]

Eden: It depends. Yosemite National Park's rescue service, YOSAR, has a strong canine program known as YODOGS. However, it is my understanding that the real strength in using search dogs is in wooded areas that are difficult to survey by air. The main problems facing SAR on Mt. Hood, bad weather and avalanche conditions, hamper canine teams just as badly as traditional techniques. Still, best of luck to all involved.

[colleen hofer]

Just great.....another fine use of tax payers $$$$ and yet another set of families put through trauma, saddness, grief and loss........for absolutely nothing. When will people learn that this activity contributes zero to community/family. It is 100% selfish. Who cares what mountain anyone has climbed? Of what value is it to anyone except to a rush junkie...until things go awry...as they often do. Grow up people. If you really want adventure do something useful with your life.

[Eden]

How effective are search dogs in situations like these?