Story Published:
Dec 19, 2006 at 10:22 AM PST
Story Updated:
Apr 14, 2009 at 2:16 PM PST
HOOD RIVER, Ore. (AP) - Photos found with deceased climber Kelly James have raised worries about how long his two colleagues can survive on the brutal summit of Mount Hood, an official said on Tuesday.
"We've got some pictures. Kelly James had taken some pictures of his climb," said Hood River County Sheriff Joe Wampler.
"So we know pretty much what they had with them," he said. After examining the photos, Wampler said, "looking what they had with them, I'm pretty concerned about how long somebody can last out there."
Wampler also said that rescue teams had scaled back the ground search and are asking themselves whether they are "spinning their wheels" by continuing the search for Brian Hall and Jerry "Nikko" Cooke, the two missing climbers.
The sheriff continued to express hope they might be found in a snow cave, and the searchers were using two fixed-wing aircraft to keep watch on parts of the mountain that are too dangerous for other climbers.
The surveillance would allow the "opportunity for Brian and Nikko to stick their heads up out of their hole and rescue themselves. We want to be there to see that, if that happens," Wampler said.
Rescue teams have been narrowing the search for Hall and Cooke to a small rugged section of ridge and glacier on the dangerous north side of Oregon's highest peak, but search directors say it has had up to 10 feet of snow since the three men were reported missing.
The body of James, 48, of Dallas, Texas, was removed by helicopter Monday from the 11,239-foot summit after rescue workers winched it from a snow cave about 300 feet down the steep north side.
Wampler said James had a dislocated shoulder. He said the other climbers must have left their injured companion in the cave to find help, but had to dig a second shallower cave of their own on a steep slope as the weather worsened.
Bad weather is forecast for Wednesday, and Wampler said the chances for survival are less if the two were without shelter.
"The ground search has been greatly scaled back," said Deputy Pete Hughes of the Hood River County sheriff's office. "It comes down to a lack of resources."
Most of the searchers have been volunteers, and Hughes said it was unknown how many would be available Tuesday.
A Blackhawk helicopter was to be on standby in Salem, where it is based, said Capt. Mike Braibish of the Oregon National Guard. Eventually, he said, finding the two climbers will be a matter of putting "boots on ground."
"There still has to be a glimmer of hope somewhere inside of us," he said.
Wampler said he is increasingly leaning toward the likelihood of a climbing accident. The place below the second cave is called "the gullies," with a 60-degree slope and a treacherous 2,500-foot drop-off. About 13 climbers have died in the area in the past 40 years, Wampler said.
James made a cell phone call from the cave on Dec. 10, telling his family the party was in trouble and the others had gone for help.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
