Dallas climbers missing in Oregon
 

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/12/mis....ap/index.html

Thrill seekers sometimes die. Hopefully they come out okay, but one has to wonder esp. about the two that left for help and still haven't been seen.

This sucks. Rescueres are being hampered by terrible weather.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/13/mis....ap/index.html

climate is terrible
 

Terrible weather on Mt Hood in mid-December? Who'da thunk it?
Doesn't the Forest Service have a "sanity check" on backcountry permits?
Getting lost and stuck is one thing, but deliberately climbing a mountain without sufficient gear in the winter?

One guy found dead, as I'm sure you all are aware. He had abandoned his snow cave, wandered in circles , and dug out another snow cave not too far away. He mind was likely very clouded at the time.

The other two guys are missing. I'm sure they are dead as well.

Does anyone know about mountain climbing? Is it reasonble to do winter climbs like this? Or was this crazy-risky?

As one might expect, people die doing this sort of thing all the time:

http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB2/vie...8d476d72c604b3

So have I, as a matter of fact.

It was a hobby I started to start, but after listing the time away from my family I came to my senses and did something non-time consuming, cycling and triathloning.

The little I've done is enjoyable, but those guys were unprepared. Fast summitting in winter was a recipe for disaster. Why take the unnecessary risk?

Fast summitting is something one considers in the summertime, if at all. I know it's a pain to carry all the winter gear.

Right now I only hike and need a new backpack.

Your tallest peak is 14 feet above sea level in Ok? And you ran to the top of it?

As a former Kansan, I can identify with those tall moehills they call hills in those necks of the woods.

did you see my post in the outdoors section about cheap lowe alpine backpacks?

No.

I'm saving money for taxes come January 15th and it is more than I should have to pay.

No spending. Other person already does that.