Glad that Mark is safe and crossing my fingers for Tom.

The latest reports do not look good for Tom. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, and with Mark who has been through a tough and tragic situation.

http://www.redding.com/news/2010/mar/30/one-climber-safe-storm-postpones-search-for-man/

I will pray for Tom, I hope he will resist ...

Mark, it sounds like you did your best under the circumstances. It's difficult to have to wait so long to reach Tom, not knowing how he's doing.

PellucidWombat did a lot more than most people would do. What strength he had, mental and physical, to dig two snow caves in those conditions. His report of ataxia tells me that he was braving on in the face of what he knew was a very likely outcome.

As of this morning, the weather has significantly improved here in Mt Shasta; the bottom 2/3 of the mountain are clear of cloud. Hopefully this helps get rescue crews up there quickly.

God, hang in there Tom. We're all pulling for you. I hope the rescuers get up there as fast as humanly possible. Glad you're OK, Mark. This is a tragic situation.

Sending a prayer for Tom. I'm glad one is back safe...

Damn, I'm feeling really sad. Tom is new to the community here in Berkeley, but he struck me as the kind of guy you really want as a climbing partner. Helpful, kind, experienced, good-humored, down-to-earth, and enthusiastic. He is somebody I'd have tagged to go rescue somebody else, not the other way around.

I never realized HACE could progress so quickly and severely at "only" 14k.

Still holding out hope that they can get to Tom today, and that he still has a chance. I can't imagine being in Mark's position - I know he did everything he could for Tom. Staying with Tom for 2 days and 2 nights, dragging him into snow caves. Mark is someone I'd want as a partner if I were in trouble.

Bubba Suess wrote:As of this morning, the weather has significantly improved here in Mt Shasta; the bottom 2/3 of the mountain are clear of cloud. Hopefully this helps get rescue crews up there quickly.

That's good news. Let's hope for the best.

cleopatra wrote:Damn, I'm feeling really sad. Tom is new to the community here in Berkeley, but he struck me as the kind of guy you really want as a climbing partner. Helpful, kind, experienced, good-humored, down-to-earth, and enthusiastic. He is somebody I'd have tagged to go rescue somebody else, not the other way around.

I never realized HACE could progress so quickly and severely at "only" 14k.

Still holding out hope that they can get to Tom today, and that he still has a chance. I can't imagine being in Mark's position - I know he did everything he could for Tom. Staying with Tom for 2 days and 2 nights, dragging him into snow caves. Mark is someone I'd want as a partner if I were in trouble.

I agree. Sounds like Mark made the right decisions. They need to get to Tom very soon!

cleopatra wrote:Damn, I'm feeling really sad. Tom is new to the community here in Berkeley, but he struck me as the kind of guy you really want as a climbing partner. Helpful, kind, experienced, good-humored, down-to-earth, and enthusiastic. He is somebody I'd have tagged to go rescue somebody else, not the other way around.

I never realized HACE could progress so quickly and severely at "only" 14k.

Still holding out hope that they can get to Tom today, and that he still has a chance. I can't imagine being in Mark's position - I know he did everything he could for Tom. Staying with Tom for 2 days and 2 nights, dragging him into snow caves. Mark is someone I'd want as a partner if I were in trouble.

Very well said. I wouldn't have fathomed this happening before I heard about this. I saw Tom fly up his first ice lead a few weekends ago, and still am having a very hard time wrapping my head around the idea that altitude affected him as it did. Mark is experienced, strong, intelligent, resourceful, and the kind of guy you want as a partner when something goes wrong. We're thinking of both of you guys. Hang in there, Tom.

It clouded up again very quickly in the last couple of hours and there is now very light snow falling down here at 3700'. Not looking good:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... 042D74.DTL

Dear everyone. I'm down safe and well.

I disagree with some of the important details in the news reports (regarding permits, weather advisories, and closures at the time of our departure) and will be responding to those as soon as appropriate.

While I'm touched by the outpouring of support from you all, in respect for Tom and his family, please limit your messages to me to be via e-mail or PMs for now. My phone battery is dead, so I won't be accessible by phone.

- Mark

Most recent reports do seem to indicate that Mark believed Tom was dead before he left him to hike down. Hope that is not the case. Still pulling for you, Tom.
http://www.redding.com/news/2010/mar/30 ... ta-rescue/