Hiker fallen in Mt St Helens crater

[retired jerry]

According to story, cornice collapsed, man fell halfway down to bottom of crater, uninjured, not enough time to rescue today, try again tomorrow at daybreak.

http://www.kgw.com/news/Climber-falls-i ... 13927.html

[anna in boots]

According to story, cornice collapsed, man fell halfway down to bottom of crater, uninjured, not enough time to rescue today, try again tomorrow at daybreak.

http://www.kgw.com/news/Climber-falls-i ... 13927.html

Hmm...if St. Helens erupts tonight, he won't have to worry about freezing to death. On the other hand....

anna in boots

[dalylab]

Seems a whistle was key in locating the fallen hiker. I always feel silly with the thing, but now I'll not give it a second thought when I toss it in my pack. I'm hoping if he was that prepared that he also brought something to keep him warm with those cold overnight temps up there.

[jessbee]

Seems a whistle was key in locating the fallen hiker. I always feel silly with the thing, but now I'll not give it a second thought when I toss it in my pack. I'm hoping if he was that prepared that he also brought something to keep him warm with those cold overnight temps up there.

Chances are slim that he packed a sleeping bag. Most people who climb St. Helens prepare for a long day, not an overnight. Hopefully he is uninjured and is able to manage his temperature well enough. It's going to be a long night.

You can't get near the crater in winter. That is abundantly clear. It makes me angry that people walk out to the edge, fearless, because cornices are no joke. They are unstable, can be of questionable size to an observer and it is difficult to predict just where you can be safe, so it's best to keep your distance. You can still get great views without walking up to the edge. If you're going to go out in winter there are lots of extra things to think about. This accident was completely avoidable.

But still, he could die up there tonight. I hope, however, that this one turns out ok.

Hmm...if St. Helens erupts tonight, he won't have to worry about freezing to death. On the other hand....

anna in boots

So really, you think it's appropriate to make a bad joke right now?

[anna in boots]

So really, you think it's appropriate to make a bad joke right now?

Absitively, posolutely! I've been First Response for several emergency situations and believe me, nothing is more appreciated than a laugh. In fact, a good giggle separates the quick and the dead in such situations. I guarantee it: if that guy is lamenting his fate right now, all systems in his body will plummet. If he maintains a positive, upbeat demeanor, even finds a way to laugh at himself, time will pass rapidly and he will suffer far less shock, if at all.

A fantastic reference for this sort of thing is "Deep Survival," by Laurence Gonzales. http://www.deepsurvival.com/ First time I read it, I read it straight through, staying up almost all night because I couldn't put it down. It is amazing, factual, readable, and speaks volumes about mind set versus the "Ten Essentials" when it comes to playing life or death card games with Mother Nature. In fact, it's about time for my bi-annual rereading of it, thanks for the reminder. More excerpts here: http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Survival-Who ... 0393052761

anna in boots

[vienturia]

interesting; thx for respectively for posting the news article and the reading rec

[Stefrobrts]

I made the mistake of reading the troll comments on the Columbian article. Decided I needed to come by here to renew my faith in humanity. No matter how stupid his mistake, I hope he survives the night and they get him out tomorrow.

[anna in boots]

I made the mistake of reading the troll comments on the Columbian article. Decided I needed to come by here to renew my faith in humanity. No matter how stupid his mistake, I hope he survives the night and they get him out tomorrow.

Me, too, Stef. And, yes, the trolls are not worth your precious time.

anna in boots

[anna in boots]

interesting; thx for respectively for posting...the reading rec

No prob. And I love your avatar pic.

anna in boots

[greggle]

Sadly, the Skamania County Sheriff's office reports the 52-year-old climber removed his pack and his coat before the
fateful steps toward the edge.

Bah! The story was not updated on The Daily News Web site ... www.tdn.com, but that is what was reported in Tuesday's edition.