Re: the missing Mt. Hood climbers. OK, this is no doubt going to raise some hackles, but I have relatively little sympathy for these people. First of all, there were extremely well-publicized winter storm warnings in effect, given to all climbers when they apply for their permit. Second and most importantly, these "experienced pro's" were too macho to spring the extra $5 (FIVE DOLLARS!!!!) to carry along a locater transponder device which would have pinpointed their location immediately.
Call me the Grinch, but I similarly had little sympathy for the ill-fated Kim family, who with two small children in the car decided to get off I-5 and take a logging road (LOGGING ROAD) with clearly marked signs saying it was IMPASSIBLE in the winter and then, even worse, got off that onto a spur road (oy!), and then got stuck for 9 days.
Use your G-d given brains, people!!!