Avalanche Took Out Some Hikers

“Yesterday in Alaska 5 Japanese hikers got swept down mt. Mckinley. One survived and had to hike out to get help (A 14 hr. trek I believe). The other four are presumed dead. :o(”

“Dang. I don't think I'll ever be doing any sketchy Mtn climbing anytime soon....”

“I had a friend try to talk me into climbing McKinley with him this year. I just couldn't bring myself to commit to the month of vacation, $10,000.00 for gear, guides & transportation, and 3+ weeks of camping in the snow. Decided I'd rather climb Rainier 4 times instead.

He made it to 16,800' before he bonked. I'd have been the oldest guy by far, but I think I'm a stronger climber than him. It's a big, bad mountain!

My next happy little California mountain is this:
http://www.summitpost.org/mount-williamson/150438”

“Looks like a fun climb, toe. And, you might have some bighorn company. I've been waiting to see a herd in the wild all my life...”

“Nice”

“If you are on McKinley, you are not hiking you are mountain climbing.”

“my point exactly, Man of Yota”

“My thoughts exactly on the hiking vs. climbing Mt. Mckinley. But that`s the title of the news article.
Anyhow....just pure bad luck....the path they took was supposed to be less avalanche prone.”

“The way I see it, my living room is less avalanch prone.”

“Sure it it, but what fun is that?

More people fall into crevasses on McKinley. I've read of solo climbers who strap a ladder to their waist to catch them when their feet fall into holes. Wait...that would work for the fat people in a pool thread.”

“@ toejam: Geeez, as if carrying a backpack isn't cumbersome and heavy enough. Well....better than falling into an unseen hole I guess.”