Officials call off search for Mount Hood men

Sheriff gives up hope of finding climbers alive; mission a ‘recovery effort’

PORTLAND, Ore. - Rescue teams gave up any hope of finding two missing climbers alive on stormy Mount Hood and abandoned their frustrating, 9-day-old search Wednesday.

“We’ve done everything we can at this point,” said Sheriff Joe Wampler, choking back tears after returning from one last, fruitless flyover of the 11,239-foot peak.

Wampler said the men’s families made the decision to end the search as yet another snowstorm barreled in.

“It was pretty much their conclusion. The chance of survival is pretty nil. I don’t think I can justify putting any more people in the field with the hope of finding them alive,” the sheriff said.

He said the operation was now a “recovery effort.”

Three climbers in all were reported missing in the snow on Mount Hood on Dec. 11. One of them, 48-year-old Dallas landscape architect Kelly James, was found dead in a snow cave on Monday. Volunteers continued scouring the mountains for signs of James’ climbing partners, Brian Hall, 37, and Jerry “Nikko” Cooke, 36. But climbing gear found on the peak suggested the two may have been swept to their deaths.

My thoughts

It don't look good anymore 9 days in that tempeture and snow lost Gear found, looks like the last two won't be found alive My condolances to there families, hope they can at least find the bodies if they did not survive so it can be finalised and they can start Funeral arrangments

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