WebKittyn Warbles

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Ongoing Rescue at Mt. Hood

I haven't been able to tear my eyes away from MSNBC all day. Here I've become enchanted with Everest and the stories of those who triumphed and failed and three climbers are missing in Oregon. No, it's not Ever-rest (sorry Dave, I love that creepy chanting) but it's 18 below zero, it's been 8 days and it's still pretty damn high.

Now they've been in the cave and found evidence that one of them was there but no people anywhere. I held my breath there for a second, it seemed promising.

Earlier they were talking to one of the chinook pilots, he was able to fly in and out because he had high altitude training in Afghanistan.

I'll never understand why people do this, what the pull is to something so potentially dangerous if not fatal. I've read only two books so far by Everest climbers (Sir Edmund Hillary and John Krakauer) so I still don't get it but I have a crazy sort of respect for anyone who does it. I knew someone who made the summit, Dr. Gocking took a full year sabbatical to make the climb and he succeeded. He came back looking like the walking dead but he made it.

There are rescuers staying on the mountain tonight, the temperature is 18 below zero. I can only imagine the sense of let-down when they entered the cave and didn't find anyone.

So close to Christmas, talk about bad juju.

I can only stay glued to the news with my fingers crossed and hope for the best. Too bad they can't import some Sherpas.

Good luck to all out on Mt. Hood, may the Lady Fate be kind.