Mt Whitney SAR - In Progress

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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OmahaAdam
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Re: Mt Whitney SAR - In Progress

Post by OmahaAdam »

From the local paper
Three Omaha men are missing after a winter storm blew in while they were descending from a mountain in California.

Missing are: Phillip Abraham, Steve Filips, and Dale Clymens.
http://omaha.com/article/20101021/NEWS0 ... n-mountain" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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edhaman
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Re: Mt Whitney SAR - In Progress

Post by edhaman »

A couple of questions raised by the Omaha.com article:

1. Does anyone know if "provisions" are stored at the summit structure? It's been several years since I climbed Whitney, but I've never heard the structure is provisioned. I've read that the structure is a dangerous place to be during a thunderstorm, and that people have died from lightning strikes while staying in it.

2. Is it really freakish for there to be a 3-foot snowfall on Whitney at this time of year?
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skiwall
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Re: Mt Whitney SAR - In Progress

Post by skiwall »

edhaman wrote: 2. Is it really freakish for there to be a 3-foot snowfall on Whitney at this time of year?
Not really, no.
"A good woman knows her place is in the backcountry." - PW '08
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Trudger
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Re: Mt Whitney SAR - In Progress

Post by Trudger »

Another article with photos. Interesting group who were on an adventure that also included Death Valley. More background on their trip:

http://omaha.com/article/20101021/NEWS0 ... rs-goes-on" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Steve C
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Hikers FOUND!!! -- SAR on Whitney

Post by Steve C »

They have been airlifted via Chinook helicopter and are safe now.

Hikers FOUND!!! -- SAR on Whitney
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skiwall
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Re: Mt Whitney SAR - In Progress

Post by skiwall »

AWESOME.
"A good woman knows her place is in the backcountry." - PW '08
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gsliva
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Re: Mt Whitney SAR - In Progress

Post by gsliva »

Watched the press conference. This is a case of trying to summit before a storm rolled in. With a permit that's very hard to acquire the urge to summit or summit fever is very strong. Glad they are OK. Nice move staying put and that there was a shelter just in case.
Live for the Climb and the search for commitment.
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