Three Missing Climbers on Mt Hood: Headlines of Lost Hikers Sound Eerily Familiar

In mid December of 2006, three Mt Hood climbers went missing in the midst of a severe weather storm. They were never seen again. But this morning, three years later, headlines give a grim reminder of the tragic events, with those painfully familiar words, "Three Mt Hood Climbers Reported Missing". Two male hikers and one female set out on a technical climb up the west side of the mountain and didn't return by their expected 2 p.m. arrival time on Friday, December 11, 2009.

The climbers are said to be experienced and prepared, and although they do not have a location beacon, they did send a text message today around 1 p.m. Detective Jim Strovink, of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, is waiting for any possible location information from the cell phone company, hoping it will pinpoint the hikers' location. 25-year old medical student Anthony Vietti, reported them missing, sending an email to the FOX 12 newsroom in Portland stating that he was a friend of one of the missing hikers.

Portland Mountain Rescue workers have begun searching for the missing climbers in the Reid Glacier area, which is known for its large crevasses and elevations ranging from 6,000 to 9,800 ft. Using snowshoes and binoculars, a team including about 30 volunteers are actively involved in a ground level search. The Oregon Air National Guard is standing by for a break in the clouds in order to conduct an air search.

Gorgeous Weather on the Hood

Today is an absolutely beautiful day in the Mt Hood area, with clear blue skies and bright green vegetation in the woods, it's a great day to enjoy just about any activity on the mountain. Everyting just seems alive and wonderful, but that's normal to those of us who live here.

It's the type of day that no one wants to work, and if you're stuck working in the coffee shop today - you're probably looking for any excuse to go beyond the entrance doors and smell the fresh, clean air.

I thought at first that the scenery was extraordinarily beautiful to me, since I had an extended visit to the Los Angeles area, where the air is brown and the people are in a rude hurry. But sitting here at the local internet hub at Java the Hut in Welches, listening to the chit-chat of the passing people, I realize that the beauty of the day has hit just about everyone here. Skiiers and snowboarders, out-of-towners, and especially the locals - people are continuously marvelling at how absolutely bright and pretty is really is up here right now.

Just $10 to Ride the Greasebus from Portland to Meadows

Can't find a ride to Mt Hood Meadows? Wanna take a ride on the Greasebus? That's right, starting next week the Greasebus will be back in action!

The Greasebus has been making daily trips up the mountain for only ten bucks a head, as long as they have a least 10 people riding for the day. The recently took a short hiatus to accommodate other bookings and funding opportunities.

Why is it called the Greasebus?
Because this is Portland's first grease-fueled Portland to Meadows shuttle service, using loft-over restaurant fryer grease. Yep, this is a veggie-powered shuttle bus - hence the name, the "Greasebus".

The shuttle leaves Portland each day at 9:00 a.m. and leaves from Meadows each day at 4:30 p.m., arriving back in Portland around 6 o'clock. Get all the details on the Greasebus, as sign up, read Greasebus news, or browse the forum on their website.