Lost climbers on Shasta updates

by **requiem** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:25 pm

hi all,

got an email thru the a local hiking club concerning our friend PellucidWombat (http://www.summitpost.org/user_page.php?user_id=12893) (Mark Thomas) and Tom Bennett.

[post edited for content and privacy.]

Thanks everyone...

by **cleopatra** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:36 pm

I recall talking to Mark a couple weeks ago about them going for a Northside route, despite roads not being open. So they might have tried to ski or drive to the northside.

We need to find out exactly what route, and the make/model/license of their car.

-Val

by **Sarah Simon** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:45 pm

Giving this a bump to keep the topic fresh.

I hope this has a happy ending. All the best to the mountaineers and their families!

by **Matt Worster** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 9:15 pm

c'mon you two, we're pullin' for you.

by **Diggler** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 9:38 pm

Be strong, hunker down, & hang in there guys. If anybody can make it through something like this, it's you, Mark. We're all pulling for you. Talk soon, bro.

by **Luciano136** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 10:12 pm

I hope they can descend. They can't possible sit this out. This is the forecast for tonight at 12k:

Tonight: Snow. Low around 10. Wind chill values as low as -17. Windy, with a west southwest wind 45 to 50 mph decreasing to between 35 and 40 mph. Winds could gust as high as 75 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 7 to 11 inches possible.

Hoping for a good outcome!!

by **McCannster** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 10:32 pm

Hang in there Mark and Tom!

by **depclimb** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 11:18 pm

Pulling for you Mark and Tom

by **cleopatra** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 11:25 pm

Newspaper update - what does this mean? Is Mark coming down alone, or with Tom?

Today around 2 p.m.Thomas called the Sheriff's Department on his cell phone and is currently coming down the mountain at an elevation of about 7,000 feet. He has a map and a compass with him, Gravenkamp said.

Thomas reported that his climbing partner was not doing well and he made the decision it would be best to try to make his way down the mountain today. The two Forest Service Mountain Rangers are on snowmobiles and will continue searching at the 7,000-foot elevation for Thomas.

A friend of Thomas has been in contact with the Sheriff’s Office and reports that he is an experienced climber who has climbed Mount Shasta a number of times, however, the was the first time he climbed the more technical north side Hotlum/Bolam Route, Gravenkamp said.

by **cleopatra** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 11:37 pm

Hmm, one media article says that just Mark is descending, and the other says both.

Still worried about Tom.

by **Luciano136** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 12:06 am

Oh man, I really hope both of them are ok!! This would be the first mountain epic with a good ending in a long time!

by **Deltaoperator17** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 12:08 am

My prayers are for thier safe return

by **Bubba Suess** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 12:19 am

I am definitely praying for these guys. I feel like I should be out doing something to help...

by **Diggler** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 12:29 am

Hang in there, guys. Praying for both of you. Get down safely- you can do it!

Lost climbers on Shasta updates

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