PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Rescuers are set to resume their search at dawn for two missing climbers on Oregon's Mount Hood.
They recovered the body of a third mountaineer yesterday at about 9,000 feet. The three climbers had been attempting to scale an especially treacherous face on the west side of the mountain.
Authorities have not yet provided details on the condition of 26-year-old Luke Gullberg's body or how he died.
Gullberg and his two companions are described as experienced and well-equipped climbers.
Conditions in the search area around Reid Glacier were described as "cold, icy and treacherous" yesterday, with visibility too low for an air search. Forecasts call for warmer temperatures and the possibility of better visibility this afternoon.
Searchers say the effort "is still a rescue operation."
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<<CUT …006 (12/13/09)>> 00:15 "bit of time"
Jim Strovink, detective, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
Detective Jim Strovink of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office says the climbers left the lodge around 1 a.m. Friday, and when they didn't return by the afternoon family and friends were alarmed.
<<CUT …007 (12/13/09)>> 00:12 "it's very treacherous"
Jim Strovink, detective, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
Detective Jim Strovink of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office says search and rescue efforts continue Sunday to find the two remaining climbers, but it's not expected to be easy.
<<GRAPHICSBANK 952492 (12/17/06)>> 2000x1500
Mount Hood, Oregon, with MISSING CLIMBERS lettering, finished graphic
<<APPHOTO NY128 (01/29/07)>>
: FILE - In this Jan. 29, 2007 file photo, Mount Hood is shown as the sun sets in Portland, Ore. Crews on Saturday found the body of a climber missing on Oregon's Mount Hood but two others were still missing nearly two days after the three set out to climb the west side of the 11,000-foot peak, a sheriff's spokesman said.
