Deputies Plan For Recovery Of Mt. Hood Remains
Human Remains Not Identified, Deputies Say
POSTED: 4:38 pm PDT August 23, 2010UPDATED: 8:03 am PDT August 24, 2010PORTLAND, Ore. -- Sheriff's search teams have started to plan a recovery operation on Mount Hood after human remains were found in a remote area above the mountain's timberline.A Clackamas County sheriff's spokesman said Monday that members of Portland Mountain Rescue found the remains in a dangerous area that requires specific equipment and expertise to reach it.There have been two recent high-profile cases where climbers have vanished on Mount Hood.In December 2009, three young hikers were reported missing on the mountain. Luke Gullberg, a 26-year-old man from Des Moines, Wash., died of hypothermia and his body was found on Reid Glacier, which is located on the mountain's south side. His companions, 29-year-old Katie Nolan and 24-year-old Anthony Vietti, were never found.Avalanche danger and severe weather made the search for Nolan and Vietti difficult and crews suspended the search in mid-December.In December 2006, Kelly James, Brian Hall and Jerry "Niko" Cooke died after trying to summit the mountain as a winter storm moved in. James' body was found in a snow cave, but the bodies of his fellow climbers were never found.Deputies have not confirmed whether the recently discovered remains were found in areas where the two trios of hikers may have been.A sheriff's spokesman said the recovery operation is in its planning stage and that the priority is being placed on the safety of the people involved in the search.Previous Stories:
- December 17, 2009: Climber Search Suspended On Mount Hood
- July 21, 2007: Searchers Attempt To Locate Climbers' Bodies On Mount Hood
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