Mount Hood rescue aided by beacon, dog - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brad Russ · 02-20-2007, 09:19 PM

By SARAH SKIDMORE, Associated Press Writer

GOVERNMENT CAMP, Ore. - Thanks to a high-tech electronic gadget and a big warm dog named Velvet, three climbers rescued after a harrowing fall and a night in the wind and cold high on Mount Hood are expected to be fine.

They were found at about the 7,400-foot level on Monday and hiked down the mountain with their rescuers.

"I'm really glad they were there for us," Matty Bryant, one of the three climbers, said of the rescue teams. "They did an incredible job. They were amazing."

Searchers credited the group's rescue to two things — Velvet, a black Labrador mix who provided warmth as the three climbers huddled under sleeping bags and a tarp, and the activation of an emergency radio beacon the size of a sunglasses case that guided them to the group.

"The most important part of this rescue is that they did everything right," said Lt. Nick Watt of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

The three climbers set out on Saturday with five other friends — all in the 20s and 30s and from the Portland area — to scale the 11,239-foot mountain, Oregon's tallest.

However, a storm moved in and on Sunday they started their descent in blowing snow.

"You had no visual reference around you to determine if you were going up or down," said one member of the group, Trevor Liston. "You could make out a climber at 30 feet at best."

Then he saw the group of three — all roped together with Velvet — disappear over an icy ledge.

Liston and the four others used a rope to lower one of their climbing party over the edge in an unsuccessful attempt to locate the trio.

Then they used a cell phone to call for help as the wind howled at up to 70 mph.

Liston, who described himself as a veteran of Mount Hood climbs, said all eight had experience at either rock climbing or mountaineering.

They'd known about the Mount Hood disaster in which three climbers died in December. But Liston said that wasn't the reason the group decided to take Mountain Locator Units, the small beacons that can send out radio signals to rescuers.

"We've been up on the mountain for many years," Liston said. "With the group we were going up with this time, we just wanted another extra level of security, just in case something happened, especially with winter conditions."

In addition to Bryant, 34, a teacher in the Portland suburb of Milwaukie, the rescued climbers included Kate Hanlon, 34, a teacher in the suburb of Wilsonville.

The other woman, whose name was not released, was being treated for a head injury in Portland, said Jim Strovink, spokesman for the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. "She's going to be fine," he said.

Velvet, owned by Bryant, had minor cuts and abrasions on her back paws and legs from prolonged exposure to the snow, but she was cleared to go home.

"The dog probably saved their lives" by lying across them during the cold night, said Erik Brom, a member of the Portland Mountain Rescue team.

Liston said he felt that he and his companions were well-equipped for climbing Mount Hood in the winter with cell phones, global positioning system gear and the locator beacons.

"We'd been in those conditions up on this mountain before," he said. "We've walked out in whiteouts before. We didn't know it was going to be that bad. But we were prepared that it might be snowing and blowing."

Liston said he understands critics who say people climbing Mount Hood during the winter are putting not only their own lives at risk, but also the lives of rescuers dispatched when something goes wrong.

"It's a kind of delicate balance," he said, "about doing winter climbing, and pushing some of those limits, and not doing it, and only climbing in the summer in shorts and T-shirts.

"It's kind of a point of pride you might say for a lot of climbers — that you can take care of yourself out there."

Still, Liston said, "Things happen."

Janice · 02-20-2007, 09:43 PM

That's such a heartwarming story. Thank God for Velvet, the furry hero.

catlover79 · 02-20-2007, 10:58 PM

That's a great story! I was so happy to hear that they were all rescued. ANIMALS RULE!!

dawsongirl · 02-20-2007, 11:36 PM

People need to stop climbing that. 2 in one winter is ridiculous.

Brad Russ · 02-21-2007, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

People need to stop climbing that. 2 in one winter is ridiculous.

Yeah, it is getting pretty ridiculous. Atleast these guys had some kind of tracking device though, and had actually taken the time to prepare for this kind of emergency. They're actually trying to make a law here, that would require anyone climbing Mt. Hood to have a tracking device. I think that's a really good idea. It would save Oregonians alot of money on the costs of trying to find these people who foolishly put themselves into these kinds of situations.

Ireneparalegal · 02-21-2007, 12:06 AM

I am so sick and tired of these people myself. They put a dog in jeopardy and themselves not to mention the rescuers and volunteers. When are people going to get it into their fat heads that it is not safe????

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...ghlight=rescue

Chocoholic · 02-21-2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I am so sick and tired of these people myself. They put a dog in jeopardy and themselves not to mention the rescuers and volunteers. When are people going to get it into their fat heads that it is not safe????

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...ghlight=rescue

Because they think they are invinceable, that's why.

I'm glad they found this group of hikers safe this time. People need to be more careful. Nothing is worth risking your life over.

Brad Russ · 02-21-2007, 02:46 PM

With respect to these climbers though, they were very experienced, and took every precaution imagineable, and because of that, they are here today. Hopefully future climbers of Mt. Hood will be as smart as these guys were, and take the time to prepare like they did. The little time it takes to gain knowledge and be prepared, could literally be the difference between life and death.

catlover79 · 02-21-2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Mel

With respect to these climbers though, they were very experienced, and took every precaution imagineable, and because of that, they are here today. Hopefully future climbers of Mt. Hood will be as smart as these guys were, and take the time to prepare like they did. The little time it takes to gain knowledge and be prepared, could literally be the difference between life and death.

Well said!!

Ireneparalegal · 02-21-2007, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Mel

With respect to these climbers though, they were very experienced, and took every precaution imagineable, and because of that, they are here today. Hopefully future climbers of Mt. Hood will be as smart as these guys were, and take the time to prepare like they did. The little time it takes to gain knowledge and be prepared, could literally be the difference between life and death.

YET! They still needed to be rescued. They did not get out of there by themselves, which to me is called being experienced.

Brad Russ · 02-21-2007, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

YET! They still needed to be rescued. They did not get out of there by themselves, which to me is called being experienced.

Accidents have always been going on on Mt. Hood, and they probably always will. The Nationwide media has just been recognizing it more than usual this year, which is good, since it's bringing more attention, and having people like you and many others bring much needed criticism to this problem. Unfortunately, everything involves risks, including driving, flying in an airplane, walking down the street, etc. When you're dealing with a mountain that literally dwarves you, and everything around you, there's always going to be huge risks, no matter how experienced the person is. Best thing to do aside from banning mountain climbing altogether, (Which I don't think should happen) is better preparing, which is exactly what these climbers did, and like I said, I applaud them for that. Their preparing might have saved their lives, and it certainly saved tax payers a ton of money!!

Ireneparalegal · 02-21-2007, 03:36 PM

I think it is a simple matter of not climbing a mountain when the weather is at its worst.

Brad Russ · 02-21-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I think it is a simple matter of not climbing a mountain when the weather is at its worst.

Yeah, I do agree with that. There are way too many damn thrill seekers out there, who only want to climb mountains, ski, or sky dive in the very worst conditions, just so they can say they did it. Personally, I'd rather just sit back in a warm log cabin by a fire, sipping hot cocoa, until the weather improved, but hey, that's just me.

catlover79 · 02-21-2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Mel

Yeah, I do agree with that. There are way too many damn thrill seekers out there, who only want to climb mountains, ski, or sky dive in the very worst conditions, just so they can say they did it. Personally, I'd rather just sit back in a warm log cabin by a fire, sipping hot cocoa, until the weather improved, but hey, that's just me.

Forget the climbing -- I'll take the log cabin, warm fire, hot cocoa, fluffy blanket and a book (or TV) ANYTIME!!!

Brad Russ · 02-21-2007, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Forget the climbing -- I'll take the log cabin, warm fire, hot cocoa, fluffy blanket and a book (or TV) ANYTIME!!!

Be sure to save me a spot next to you!!

02-20-2007, 09:19 PM	#1
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	Mount Hood rescue aided by beacon, dog By SARAH SKIDMORE, Associated Press Writer GOVERNMENT CAMP, Ore. - Thanks to a high-tech electronic gadget and a big warm dog named Velvet, three climbers rescued after a harrowing fall and a night in the wind and cold high on Mount Hood are expected to be fine. They were found at about the 7,400-foot level on Monday and hiked down the mountain with their rescuers. "I'm really glad they were there for us," Matty Bryant, one of the three climbers, said of the rescue teams. "They did an incredible job. They were amazing." Searchers credited the group's rescue to two things — Velvet, a black Labrador mix who provided warmth as the three climbers huddled under sleeping bags and a tarp, and the activation of an emergency radio beacon the size of a sunglasses case that guided them to the group. "The most important part of this rescue is that they did everything right," said Lt. Nick Watt of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. The three climbers set out on Saturday with five other friends — all in the 20s and 30s and from the Portland area — to scale the 11,239-foot mountain, Oregon's tallest. However, a storm moved in and on Sunday they started their descent in blowing snow. "You had no visual reference around you to determine if you were going up or down," said one member of the group, Trevor Liston. "You could make out a climber at 30 feet at best." Then he saw the group of three — all roped together with Velvet — disappear over an icy ledge. Liston and the four others used a rope to lower one of their climbing party over the edge in an unsuccessful attempt to locate the trio. Then they used a cell phone to call for help as the wind howled at up to 70 mph. Liston, who described himself as a veteran of Mount Hood climbs, said all eight had experience at either rock climbing or mountaineering. They'd known about the Mount Hood disaster in which three climbers died in December. But Liston said that wasn't the reason the group decided to take Mountain Locator Units, the small beacons that can send out radio signals to rescuers. "We've been up on the mountain for many years," Liston said. "With the group we were going up with this time, we just wanted another extra level of security, just in case something happened, especially with winter conditions." In addition to Bryant, 34, a teacher in the Portland suburb of Milwaukie, the rescued climbers included Kate Hanlon, 34, a teacher in the suburb of Wilsonville. The other woman, whose name was not released, was being treated for a head injury in Portland, said Jim Strovink, spokesman for the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. "She's going to be fine," he said. Velvet, owned by Bryant, had minor cuts and abrasions on her back paws and legs from prolonged exposure to the snow, but she was cleared to go home. "The dog probably saved their lives" by lying across them during the cold night, said Erik Brom, a member of the Portland Mountain Rescue team. Liston said he felt that he and his companions were well-equipped for climbing Mount Hood in the winter with cell phones, global positioning system gear and the locator beacons. "We'd been in those conditions up on this mountain before," he said. "We've walked out in whiteouts before. We didn't know it was going to be that bad. But we were prepared that it might be snowing and blowing." Liston said he understands critics who say people climbing Mount Hood during the winter are putting not only their own lives at risk, but also the lives of rescuers dispatched when something goes wrong. "It's a kind of delicate balance," he said, "about doing winter climbing, and pushing some of those limits, and not doing it, and only climbing in the summer in shorts and T-shirts. "It's kind of a point of pride you might say for a lot of climbers — that you can take care of yourself out there." Still, Liston said, "Things happen."
	__________________ St. John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Currently my favorite song.

02-20-2007, 10:58 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	That's a great story! I was so happy to hear that they were all rescued. ANIMALS RULE!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

02-21-2007, 12:06 AM	#6
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	I am so sick and tired of these people myself. They put a dog in jeopardy and themselves not to mention the rescuers and volunteers. When are people going to get it into their fat heads that it is not safe???? http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...ghlight=rescue
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

02-20-2007, 09:43 PM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	That's such a heartwarming story. Thank God for Velvet, the furry hero.

02-20-2007, 11:36 PM	#4
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	People need to stop climbing that. 2 in one winter is ridiculous.

02-21-2007, 02:46 PM	#8
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	With respect to these climbers though, they were very experienced, and took every precaution imagineable, and because of that, they are here today. Hopefully future climbers of Mt. Hood will be as smart as these guys were, and take the time to prepare like they did. The little time it takes to gain knowledge and be prepared, could literally be the difference between life and death.

02-21-2007, 03:36 PM	#12
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	I think it is a simple matter of not climbing a mountain when the weather is at its worst.