Four hikers missing on Mt. Rainier

 

The four hikers are still missing on Mt. Rainier after two weeks passed.  The missing two campers are 37-year-old Mark Vucich, of San Diego, and 30-year-old Michelle Trojanowski, of Atlanta, who were due to return on Jan. 15 after camping in Muir Snowfield at 10,000'.  The two climbers were identified as 52-year-old Sork "Erik" Yang, of Springfield, Ore., and Seol Hee Jin, of Korea.  They were attempting to summit through the Disappointment Cleaver route and were due back on Jan. 16.

I was hiking on Mt. Rainier with my friend that weekend when the four missing hikers were hiking.  We might have been one of the last people who happened to see the four hikers ascending that afternoon, which I reported to the park authorities.  Read my post Mt. Rainier - Lenticular Clouds.  The four hikers are mentioned there....of course, I had no knowledge that those four hikers were missing when I posted it on Jan 19.

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/21/1993316/four-overdue-rainier-hikers-still.html#storylink=cpy

King 5 News reported for most of last week the weather was so bad on Mount Rainier that searchers couldn't see their hands in front of their faces. But Monday the weather changed, giving them a critical window to start the search for four missing hikers.  Time was running out for the four hikers lost on Mount Rainier.  Park rangers ramped down the search as a window of good weather came to a close on Monday.  

According to the News Tribune, park spokesman Kevin Bacher said Friday that they would continue to search as opportunity and resources permit,  but the chances of that having a positive outcome pretty small.  This is no longer considered an active search, Bacher said.

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/27/2002314/search-for-four-hikers-missing.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/27/2002314/search-for-four-hikers-missing.html#storylink=cpy

Experts say in the New York Times the rewards for the hardy few who attempt the summit of the 14,411-foot heavily glaciated volcano in winter are great — as are the dangers.  "The surreal and sublime austerity of being up in the wilderness on the mountain is heightened in the winter," said Stefan Lofgren, mountaineering district ranger in charge of the climbing, search and rescue and aviation programs at Mount Rainier National Park. 

For those who want to head out to Rainier, Lofgren and others say never underestimate the weather and how quickly it can disorient. "Challenge yourself, but acquire your skill with conservation," he said.  "If everybody dialed it back a notch in these big storms, we might have fewer rescues," Baugher said. "If you're in the mountains, you have to give these winter storms their due respect." 

The Mountain News - WA wrote "Anatomy of the search of the four overdue hikers at Mt. Rainier" based on the interview with park spokesman Kevin Bacher, which reports cross-sectional analysis and assessment of the incident.  “If it had been a normal winter, they wouldn’t have been able to get very far without sinking down into the snow,” said Bacher.  “As a result, they may have gotten into bigger trouble than they had anticipated.”

America's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes - Muir Snowfield, Mt. Rainier

The BACKPACKER magazine October 2008 issue published comments on Mt. Rainier's Muir Snowfield, listed as America's 10 most dangerous hikes.  Candid comments include hikers' testimonies and advice on Muir Snowfield, why Muir Snowfield is potentially so "dangerous" and what you should know before you hike up to Camp Muir.  Also, they are to become useful information to remember if you plan to hike on any parts of Mt. Rainier.

Mt. Rainier Annual Climbing Statistics

Statistics indicate that in each of the last several years approximately 10,000 people have attempted climbing Mount Rainier. Over the last five years about 56.8% have been successful. Climbing Statistics are available from 1852 to 1897 and from 1950 to the most recent year. Data available include the number of climbers and the number of climbers successful. Annual Mountaineering reports and search-and-rescue (SAR) reports are available on the Mountaineering Reports and Statistics page.  Also, Fatality List is available to view.  Don't be surprised to learn how many lives have been lost on this mountain.  Behind its majestic beauty Mt. Rainier has claimed many lives with no mercy.  And yet, hikers and mountaineers continue to be magnetized to climb Mt. Rainier.

"Why did you want to climb Mount Everest?" 

"Because it’s there."

  

- George Mallory -