Search continues for three missing Mt. Hood hikers

Via Fox News:

COOPER SPUR, Ore. — Search crews on Wednesday were racing against a storm that was expected to dump three feet of snow on Mount Hood in the next 48 hours while they continued to look for three missing hikers.

Cold rain began whipping the mountain’s base as temperatures remained in the 30s, and Wednesday’s forecasts called for the most powerful gusts of the year for Oregon in the next few days.

“Those are the strongest winds I’ve ever been in — knock you down, hands and knees,” said Lindsay Clunes of Corvallis Mountain Rescue, one of the dozens of searchers who have been looking for the three climbers since last weekend.

The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office said “the avalanche danger is very high.”

Meanwhile, the families of the missing hikers said they’re holding onto hope their loved ones will be found alive.

“We would like to thank everyone who continues to work tirelessly,” Frank James, Kelly James’ brother, said as he read a statement on behalf of the three climbers’ families during a news conference on Mount Hood Wednesday.

ST reader Melissa in Texas wrote this request in another thread:

[...] I would like to ask those of you who have the inclination to pray, to add the men that are lost on Mt. Hood in Oregon and the search & rescue teams safety and peace for their families to your list.
Kelly is my hubby’s cousin.
Godly men, all of those “lost” on the mountain.
I know that faith can move mountains.
Thanks!

Will do, Melissa. Keep us posted on what you find out.