Hikers Saved

[Dr. Shane]

Mount Hood climbers reach safety

Quote:

In addition to the dog, who provided warmth and comfort, rescuers attributed the happy outcome to the climbers’ use of an electronic mountain locator unit that guided searchers to their exact position.

“That’s why it is a rescue, not a recovery,” Lt. Nick Watt of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office told a news conference at Timberline Lodge, a ski resort at 6,000 feet. “They did everything right.”

[Amelia]

Shane, if the rescuers had not found them in the brief window of stable weather on that day, those climbers would not have been saved. Severe weather rolled in just as they reached the timberline. Winds at that time were clocked at 90+ mph with near white out conditions. The very same conditions that cost the last group of climbers their lives. Now debate here in Oregon is raging about making the use of mountain locators manditory. The problem is, a locator will tell the rescuers where on the mountain to look but if they are in a snow cave, digging will still be needed by the rescuers. And that means assending the mountain. And that can only be done in stable weather. Locators do not control the weather.

But the many rescues that happen on Mt Hood is the biggest reason we Oregonians fought so hard to keep our Air Force base. If the base had been closed like the government wanted there would not have been Blackhawk helicopters available to get those rescuers up on the mountain.

Also I'm against dogs treking the mountain in winter unless they are equally equiped for cold and ice. Poor Velvet didn't even have the benefit of snow boots like those used by dog sledders. Dogs can suffer frost bite too. She was very lucky.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

And then there was the 13-day Mt Hood winter storm survival of three teenage climbers back in 1976. These were Adventist kids... the military interviewed them after their rescue to find out HOW they survived so well under such treacherous conditions without giving up hope. The #1 reason was prayer and taking turns reading the Bible.

Quote:

(from a news story of December 2006)

Survivor of '76: If we made it, they can too

Three teens walked out after 13 days in a snow cave on Mount Hood

It's been almost 31 years since Randy Knapp and two high school friends emerged from their 13th night in a wet, cold snow cave on Mount Hood, where they held onto hope through prayers and struggled to survive while a snowstorm raged outside.

As the years passed, Knapp, 48, a finish carpenter and part-time pastor who lives in Medford, refused requests for interviews. But Thursday, as headlines detailed the unfolding drama of another Mount Hood climbing party in trouble, the father of two said he wanted to give the climbers' families some hope.

"Ten days into it, I could hear the helicopter up there searching, and that gave us hope," he said. "I wouldn't write these guys off. They're experienced mountain climbers, and I wouldn't give up hope. They can make it."

Knapp should know. He was 18 when the party that included Matt Meacham and Gary Schneider, both 16, set off on New Year's Eve 1975 for a summit climb from Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood's south side.

The three friends from Walla Walla High School [Walla Walla Valley Academy] were well prepared, with 10 days' rations, down coats and sleeping bags, crampons, rope, ice axes and a stove.

more of the story

[Amelia]

Exactly Pam, many people climb Mt Hood and others under prepared or not prepared at all.

[Woody]

And then there was the 13-day Mt Hood winter storm survival of three teenage climbers back in 1976. These were Adventist kids... the military interviewed them after their rescue to find out HOW they survived so well under such treacherous conditions without giving up hope. The #1 reason was prayer and taking turns reading the Bible.

Quote:

(from a news story of December 2006)

Survivor of '76: If we made it, they can too

Three teens walked out after 13 days in a snow cave on Mount Hood

It's been almost 31 years since Randy Knapp and two high school friends emerged from their 13th night in a wet, cold snow cave on Mount Hood, where they held onto hope through prayers and struggled to survive while a snowstorm raged outside.

As the years passed, Knapp, 48, a finish carpenter and part-time pastor who lives in Medford, refused requests for interviews. But Thursday, as headlines detailed the unfolding drama of another Mount Hood climbing party in trouble, the father of two said he wanted to give the climbers' families some hope.

"Ten days into it, I could hear the helicopter up there searching, and that gave us hope," he said. "I wouldn't write these guys off. They're experienced mountain climbers, and I wouldn't give up hope. They can make it."

Knapp should know. He was 18 when the party that included Matt Meacham and Gary Schneider, both 16, set off on New Year's Eve 1975 for a summit climb from Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood's south side.

The three friends from Walla Walla High School [Walla Walla Valley Academy] were well prepared, with 10 days' rations, down coats and sleeping bags, crampons, rope, ice axes and a stove.

more of the story

Thank you Pam for this story.

Randy Knapp is a wonderful Christian. He tries his best to hide from the Media. I attended the church where he is a Pastor. I was going to say that I was a member ... but they didn't have membership.

He is a man of God. But he tries to hide from the glory. I've been hiking with him and he knows his business.

I am impressed with those who are truly humble. But I wonder if he was more vocal if he could bring Glory to Christ. But this is his way. He does not want any possibliity for people to think there is Glory in HIM.