Missing persons in OR

tisha2 · Post by **tisha2** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:13 am

howdy y'all ~

passing on info - these are friends of burners. if you are, or know someone who is, in the area, lend a hand if you can...I am just realizing that i don't have contact info for this person organizing search efforts...will post that as soon as i get it...

family went missing on Saturday on their way back from Oregon. James Kim and his family, wife Kati, and daughters Sabine (7months) and Penelope (4 years) have been missing since Saturday, November 25. They were last seen in Portland and were on their way to a lodge in Gold Beach along the Oregon coast. Their last contact is believed to be when they called the lodge from somewhere around Salem to let them know they would be coming in late Saturday. The search began today (i received this on Fri. 12/1. ~t2) around the southwest corner of Oregon.

See:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f ... MNGK81.DTL

I am just volunteering as the point person for the rescue efforts and
will be leaving to go up there today.

If anyone knows anyone in the area that could help search that would
be great or if anyone wants to go up there also, they would be
thrilled. Please pass the word immediately.

safe blessings to a beautiful family...

tisha2 · Post by **tisha2** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 12:36 pm

okay - there is a website:
http://www.jamesandkati.com

And for search assistance i am told you should email both search (at) jamesandkati (dot) com, as well as Mark at:
harrisonyo (at) hotmail (dot) com.

i've also heard that there are already 4 local Black Rock Rangers who have offered assistance.

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 3:35 pm

Latest is they found Kati and the 2 daughters OK about a half hour or so ago. Apparently James went for help (which they teach you NEVER to do in a survival situation) a couple days ago... and can't be found. This is not a good thing... but we're still praying for his safe reuniting with his family!

At least a little hope is on the horizon that he will be found OK and will be with his family soon...

bb

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 3:15 pm

They found James dead today a little after 12 pm local time.

He managed to keep his family alive and with the car for 7 days. Only after apparently all hope of rescue was gone and he felt they stood a good chance of perishing anyway, he took off alone to find help. He didn't make it. But in his attempt to find help a cell phone tower picked up a signal from his phone for just an instant. It was long enough to tell rescue crews where to look and that is how his family was saved, still with the car.

James Kim was a good dad.

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:55 am

geekster wrote: James Kim was a good dad.

here here...I raise a glass of vintage wine to that heroic father...in the true sence of the word protect thy family, under no costs, life and limb!

To You James Kim!

::Raises glass::

ZaphodBurner · Post by **ZaphodBurner** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:45 pm

Please also acknowledge Mrs. Kim for her unheralded heroism; by breastfeeding her children to keep them alive she expended her own energy and nutritional stores, decreasing her own survivability. It's easy for me to think "Duh. She's their mom," but, she did it.

By now you know that there are three hikers lost on Mt. Hood. Apparently, December is a great time to hike the mountain, between unusually-violent storms such that the highway to the entire ass-end of the mountain is closed from damage. And since they were in a hurry (storms coming), they chose to "pack light."

No worries. Now there's a storm up there, it's pouring in Portland, and volunteers are right now up stomping around on the ice, wind, driving cold and avalanche hazards looking for people who didn't even bother to check out an emergency locator. They can't launch helicopters because the weather is too severe. Perfect time to come to Oregon from Arkansas and Texas to climb an 11,000-foot peak you've never tried before.

Oregonians kind of shrug off the dumbass hikers who get themselves in trouble, but there's been a real outpouring of grief from the city folk and the rural types alike over the Kim family.

-zb

Post by **mdmf007** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 4:02 pm

Zaphod -

I agree with you whole heartedly. The Kim's story is a tragic accident that can happen to anyone.

When people go out in search of danger its another story - being unprepared for the elements, unfamiliar with the terrain, and unskilled in survival.

We have deployed on no less than 6 searches in 3 years, 4 of them fatalities and all of them from groups that were ill prepared for the mountains of central Idaho. The mountains here look like a postcard in the summer and are very easy to get into. Just like Baker, Rainier, St Helens, easy in isnt always easy out.

Mrs. Kim saved her children from a horrible death, Mr Kim did what he though best for his family. what if, what if, what if can be said a million times, as hindsight is always clear and 20/20

be prepared is all i can say.

later - and be safe

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 5:19 pm

This evening they know where one of the climbers are at.. About 11000 ft in a ice cave.. He is injured and staying put in a ice cave.. The sastained wind is 81 knots, temp 17°f. The other two climber have not been heard from for two day. The weather has been socked in today all the way to the valley floor. They will need experienced ice climber to bring the injured clmber down.

/
I am pissed off at the lost climbers. No beacon.........

SED · Post by **SED** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 5:20 pm

What is this, some kind of snuff thread?

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 6:13 pm

SED wrote:What is this, some kind of snuff thread?

/ NO, That thread will be "Sed doa".

------------
why should we hang? Pete did the shoot'en

SED · Post by **SED** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 6:27 pm

unjonharley wrote:
SED wrote:What is this, some kind of snuff thread?
NO, That thread will be "Sed doa".

So post it, dude. Better yet, go find those guys on Mt. Hood, instead of posting death-porn about 'em.

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 6:35 am

Geez people, too early in the morning for this, m'kay?

ZaphodBurner · Post by **ZaphodBurner** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:17 am

unjonharley wrote:This evening they know where one of the climbers are at.. About 11000 ft in a ice cave.. He is injured and staying put in a ice cave.. The sastained wind is 81 knots, temp 17ï¿½f. The other two climber have not been heard from for two day. The weather has been socked in today all the way to the valley floor. They will need experienced ice climber to bring the injured clmber down.

I am pissed off at the lost climbers. No beacon.........

Blizzard last night. If they were smart enough to dig in and ride the storm out, they might get out today. There's a lull between two storms. Unfortunately, last night it was raining really hard east of Portland and there was a driving southern wind, but that won't matter if they're holed up in a snowcave.

Little known fact: There used to be a cabin at the summit:
http://www.historicphotoarchive.com/cap ... r1089.html

People I know are up there looking. Good luck to 'em. -zb

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:08 pm

Sad but revealing:
http://my.cnet.com/community/jameskim
Gadget-happy guy.

SED · Post by **SED** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 5:06 pm

AntiM wrote:Geez people, too early in the morning for this, m'kay?

Is it late enough enough yet?

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 6:37 pm

Big snow expected in next two days. The storm kept the searchers below 8600 feet.. They figure the guy in the snow cave is at 9600.. Some climbers are staying the night at 7000 feet.. They will try to climb at dawn.. Going up a ice field with drifting snow is no picnic.. Searchers on the south side could not see for the driving snow in there face.

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:22 pm

Is it late enough enough yet?

Naw, another half hour then I go to bed.

SED · Post by **SED** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:56 pm

Are they dead yet?

You'll let us all know as soon you find out, won't you?

We could start a pool and bet on how many fingers and toes they lose if they survive.

We could give out prizes like avalanche beacons and iPods, even though late gadget-happy Mr. Kim disliked them.

Are they dead now?

How about now?

Alright, that's boring. How about an update on the condition of Kim's widow and their children. You know, something meaningful, if that isn't too dull.

Post by **mdmf007** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 8:42 pm

wow SED - that is one of the most callous, and macabre comments I have read in a long time.

Real people - are involved and people are trying to recue them at great risk to their own lives.

This is also a public forum, youd be surprised how hurtful comments like that can be to family members and how easy they are to find online.

maybe you were being sarcastic and I missed it somehow.

later

SED · Post by **SED** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:06 pm

Callous? Like Zaphod when he broke the news that the climbers were from Arkansas and Texas with no business climbing a mountain in Oregon in December? Does that help get them down? Does that comfort their families? If they were born and bred in Idaho would we see fit to mention it, or does being from Arkansas and Texas make them special? I wonder how many Oregon twits get lost and dehydrated in Big Bend, without finding distinction in the press.

Macabre? Like reporting on where these dudes might be and how fucked they probably are? I call that sensationalistic posting.

But here's my real point: This thread was started to encourage anyone who could to help find the Kim family. Ugly D saw fit to call James Kim "gadget happy", without apparent regard to the feelings of any Kim family or friends. You gonna give him shit for that, MDMF007 or does he get a pass?

Unjonharley says he's pissed at the climbers for not checking out a beacon. Great, they're lost and freezing and Unjonharley's pissed at 'em. Not so charitable, I think you might agree. You might also agree that beacons and helicopters and SAR teams give inexperienced climbers the hope and expectation that they will be rescued if they fuck up.

Just so it's perfectly clear to everyone, I think it's pretty callous and macabre to keep updating the situation with these climbers. It doesn't help them or anyone else.

BigCock · Post by **BigCock** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:14 pm

... which I guess is why you felt compelled to write this?

SED wrote:Are they dead yet?

You'll let us all know as soon you find out, won't you?

We could start a pool and bet on how many fingers and toes they lose if they survive.

We could give out prizes like avalanche beacons and iPods, even though late gadget-happy Mr. Kim disliked them.

Are they dead now?

How about now?

Alright, that's boring. How about an update on the condition of Kim's widow and their children. You know, something meaningful, if that isn't too dull.

That quote is nasty enough to create it's own context. It doesn't matter what came before it, except that you've posted mean shit in the past too.

Post by **mdmf007** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:23 pm

SED NO passes - like i have always said, its your god given right as an american to do basically what you want and when you want it. I agree with you that the EMS / Rescue system in this country gives a very false sense of security to every novice climber, woodsman and hiker in the country - and the rescuers will ALWAYS respond. My concern was more for the resue teams that are on the mountain to help someone they have never met.

Beacons are another false sense of security, they have limited ranges, and search teams must have a place to start to look. Sat phones are great but 650bucks for a cheap one, and then you need service.

I know the intent of this thread, and now it has morphed like all threads will into something esle. SED you have posted here more than anyone else. - if you dont like the content, move on.

You are also very correct when people leave their element and comfort zone, they bring the old thinking with them and lose situational awareness. That is what is going to kill them.

I just thought the comment on how many fingers and toes lost was a callous one.

thats my two cents, and opinion.
later

SED · Post by **SED** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:23 pm

Ya. That's exactly why I felt compelled to write that. A mountain creates its own weather and likewise, a sufficiently massive and pointed posting with create its own context. Which, in my opinion begs the question: what does context matter here or anywhere?

SED · Post by **SED** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:29 pm

Jumping over to Fight Club--an ePlaya incarnation of Thunderdome

RIP James Kim. You saved your family. I hope somehow you know it. Peace and comfort to Mrs. Kim and the children.

ZaphodBurner · Post by **ZaphodBurner** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 12:12 pm

SED wrote:Are they dead yet?

You'll let us all know as soon you find out, won't you?

We could start a pool and bet on how many fingers and toes they lose if they survive.

Why would we want to do that?

-zb
Current forecast is for 100mph winds at the coast and the strongest windstorm of the year so far. At present, somebody I know returned from the mountain yesterday and said they're doing all the can, but they can't get above 7,000 feet. They left the guy with the closest-known position (his cell-phone is still active but he hasn't called) to look for the other two guys who disappeared after leaving him to get help.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 12:26 pm

its your god given right as an american to do basically what you want and when you want it.

Puh-leeze. When do we bring out the brass band and flag ceremony?

tisha2 · Post by **tisha2** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 3:19 pm

wow, okay...just wondering why everyone is jumping all over SED's shit lately? i've not been around a whole lot lately, and am not up to speed on who's cool and who isn't, but just reading this thread as an outsider, i thought it was pretty fuckin' clear that SED's 'macabre' post was a totally sarcastic response to all the other posts of grim detailed updates on the climbers. i'm just sayin...

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 3:51 pm

Some real hi tec shit has showen up for searching.. Some kind of airplane about as big as my arm.. It can fly in bad weather. It has a heat seeker. Then a cell phone company has added more equipment. If a cell phone is pinging they can find it without a tower.. The ground party is stuck at 7000 feet. Above that the winds are 60+mph.. THey would not be able to see in the blowing snow..

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 4:56 pm

SED's 'macabre' post was a totally sarcastic response to all the other posts of grim detailed updates on the climbers.

Not to mention the typical lame fuck media feeding frenzy surrounding the tragedy.

ZaphodBurner · Post by **ZaphodBurner** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 5:06 pm

Badger wrote:
SED's 'macabre' post was a totally sarcastic response to all the other posts of grim detailed updates on the climbers.
Not to mention the typical lame fuck media feeding frenzy surrounding the tragedy.

I'm not sure why the national media is so excited about it (at least my non-cynical half isn't), but in Portland people pay attention to this kind of thing because a lot of people volunteer, hike, climb, and above all, this:

If the local media doesn't keep pounding it into people's heads, some people will never learn that the winter mountain wilderness isn't a fucking theme park.

That's why we're obsessed with it here in Portland. A couple of years ago a local rescue helicopter crashed on live television. A few years before that, an entire school expedition disappeared because they took off up the mountain despite severe weather warnings.

Other than that, I agree. The national interest in this is kind of morbid.

-c