Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Weather Related Climber Death Report (Nov 07)

Friends of YOSAR has just posted an expanded, in-depth account of this tragedy from November 2007.

http://friendsofyosar.org/rescues/missions/11-11-07_Cathedral_Fatality.html

Hats off to Scott Berry for his priceless input - please absorb his tale so it is not repeated. It's not Whitney, but the lessons apply to all mountaineers.

Wow, thanks for the link. I remember this accident, which sparked some discussion here on this board. It's so sad to read the in-depth account but you also learn so much from it. Many thanks to FYOSAR for also including an analysis at the end. It's interesting that the cell phone clock was a contributing factor in this case too. I know a lot of people use their cell phone that way now, but out of habit I still wear a watch.

This raises an important question for me, because I hadn't really focussed on Mother Nature's ability to hide a storm behind the mountain, making it difficult for me to read half of the relevant sky. Is there a weather report that I can tune my radio to on the MT?

Brent N.

While the lack of a reliable timepiece (cellphone doesn't qualify) was only one of many issues, it is amazing to me that people go without one. It seems to happen too often. This is the second time in the last couple of weeks I have read about reliance on a cellphone for time as one of the failures in a climbing experience. Not carrying a watch seems strange to me. They are, afterall, relatively unobtrusive, lightweight and cheap. Moreover, they can be used elsewhere in one's everyday walk of life to great effect.

Just an old man's mutterings.....

I have not tried receiving the NOAA weather radio broadcasts in the Owens Valley, but their coverage map indicates that there is little or no signal:

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/states/california.html

Thanks, Richard.

very interesting. i was critical of the two climbers when i first heard the story and now after reading the actual climbers account i am even MORE critical.
they did things that were stupid but they also did things that i have never even heard of before.
i would go point by point and give examples but honestly i dont think anyone would even consider doing some of the things they did so i wont even mention it as something you shouldnt do.
my condolences to the deceased climbers family.

That's like saying, "If you don't know what's wrong, I won't tell you."   ...So... why even post anything?

The link above gives a the primary factors (insufficient clothing), and some others: underequipped, and leaving gear behind, and then a list of secondary factors.

What else would you add to the primary or secondary list?

A list would help us all try to remember when we venture out.