Clues are now suggesting to searchers on Hood that the 2 climbers that left their injured buddy probably fell from somewhere just below the summit around the Pearly Gates area...this photo is looking down onto the south side from the top of the Gates.In good weather it is somewhat challenging to determine which channel is the appropriate one to descend....with most of the others cliffing out below. Would be really difficult with big snow, low visibility and high winds.
These guys will most likely be found a couple of thousand feet below one of the adjacent rock channels.
Another notable climbing mystery is unfolding in China right now where 2 prominent alpinists have been missing for some time. Charlie Fowler and Christine Boskoff were expected home from their exploratory climbing trip around December 11th. They were in a very remote region of China attempting several unclimbed peaks. A blog has been created regarding this mystery.
Throughout every climbing incident that unfolds and seems to captivate the drama driven media, remember the words of Helen Keller:
"Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold."
