Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Repost of SAR request(from HST)

<In my best southern chain gang prison captain voice>

What we've got here is a failure to educate. Some men you just can't reach. So you get what we had here last week, which is the way they wants it... well, they gets it. I don't like it any more than you men...................................DUG

Having quiet time while rehabing my knee, I have re-read Eric Blehm's "The Last Season." This book just shows us what SAR and others go through and the tight bonding amongst that group. George Durkee, my hat is off to you and I can only imagine the stories you tell around the campfire. Thanks to you and yours for what they do for us.

I aborted an attempt earlier in the month, (the first snow storm) after people coming back down told me there was a whiteout at trail camp, and 2 feet of snow.

I like to summit as much as the next guy, but couldn't live with myself if I put rangers or SAR in danger just because of my stupid decision and eagerness to get to the top. All of Sequoia/Kings Canyon is gorgeous, and I enjoyed it from the Portal campsite, (and we had it all to ourselves). The mountain can wait for another day, when the weather is better.

Thank you George Durkee, (just read The Last Season) and all the rangers and SAR for everything you do. All of you do an incredible job, and do not receive nearly enough compensation or appreciation.

I've had the privilege (well... it was around a coffee cup, not a campfire), and he does tell some pretty good stories, even during a pretty quiet season. It was worth the hike to Charlotte lake.

And at this late date let me second, third, and fourth all the thanks to the pros who look out for us. And may they not have to look out for me!

Campers: thanks for the 'attaboys' for myself and colleagues -- it continues to be a pretty fun job, in spite of pay etc.

I agree that education is pretty much all we can do to prevent this sort of thing. It's just finding the best approach that overrides the "gotta get to Whitney if it kills me" loop going on in some of these brains.

g.

Add an attaboy from me. I sure got some good perspective from that video.

You're right about the issue of education. Every time I see a thread referring to "success" or "failure," it's always in reference to the summit. That always bugs me. There is such a thread at the top of this forum right now.

Perhaps we should start right there.

Success is getting down from a mountain safely. Reaching the top is nice, but essentially irrelevant. It doesn't make you a better person. It doesn't make this a better world. It makes no difference how high you go.

Success also requires a safe drive home. I never say "what a great trip" until I'm back home with my girl.

A better definition of success will prevent a lot of failure.

I was a member of the group with the 2 missing climbers. On day 1 our group split into 2 due to differing opinions relating to the route and conditions. On day 2 I summited solo via the main trail before the weather turned nasty.
The other 4 went off to Meysan lakes. Their group split at Meysan Lake. 2 headed back to the main trail via some treacherous detour and 2 continued on their cross country route, on which they eventually got into a spot of bother.

Basically, the incident was totally avoidable. The lost climbers were never going to complete there route in the time they allocated, and were almost sure to be caught in the storm. They were told this by many people.

We were fully informed of the approaching storm by Doug at the Portal store. Personally, big thanks to Doug from me for the advice. I had a great climb.

Listen to the experts. Weigh up the risks and make your own decisions. Don't blindly follow your mates into the mountains if you are told it's not a good idea by people who know better.

Beeb:

I really appreciate you posting that. For me, it's always educational to hear from people involved and the decision making that lead to the cascade of actions that, in this case, led to a long search for your hiking partners.



That's the best after-action analysis I've ever heard. Happy you came down on the side of your gut instinct. Needless to say, you were right.

Thanks,

George
Park Ranger, Kings Canyon

Hey Beeb, I met your hiking buddies just below trail crest as I was retreating from the Mountain the morning they were climbing up. I had lost my way several times that morning on my way to trail crest as the snow was falling and just wasn't feeling it. I bet they had fun following my tracks! The LA Times was trying to get me to say something negative about the incident and seemed to insinuate that hikers should be held responsible for their decisions and that there should be more regulations. I simply said I didn't feel comfortable up there and they obviously did. They made the call to keep going and it turned out to be a bad decision. I come from Northern MN where the only month it doesn't snow is August. I have experienced temperatures of 72 degrees below zero(actual temp, not the wind chill), and life goes on. I can sympathize with your friends as a mid-westerner and can imagine them laughing at the weather. I bet they have a new found respect for the Mt. The mixture of weather and the mountain can be tricky. Say Hi to them from the 2 guys they met at around 0630 with the Indiana Jones hat and green jackets. I was glad to hear they made it out alive.
Dolbybear