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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- Thousands of feet above sea level, on the deadly slopes of Mount Rainier, 4 daring climbers met a nightmarish fate. After a stunning accident, all 4 came within inches of plummeting to their doom - but tragically, the ordeal would not end there. A bold rescue mission would soon see the dangers only increase and disaster strike once again.
So, with that, let’s take a closer look at the 2012 Mount Rainier tragedy. I guarantee you’ll be surprised by the twists and turns of this crazy story, from the dangerous mountain where it took place, the wild accident that started things off, and most of all, the tragic surprise that came later when everyone was least expecting it. Keep in mind that this is all very real and pretty disturbing, so as always, viewer discretion is advised.
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What a wild story. Do you think climbers should be fined or charged for the cost of rescues when their mistakes turn deadly like this?
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I know the stories of unprepared climbers causing others to have to attempt a rescue are legion, but do this group really fall into that category? Did they really make a mistake? One of their party slipped - surely that could happen to even the most experienced hiker or climber. Honestly I don't think they fall into the reckless / unprepared category. RIP to Nick Hall 🙏
The climbers taking pictures at the hospital, came off like they didn’t care that because of them, a man died. The girl is grinning ear to ear, I don’t think I’d be that happy knowing a stranger died saving me.
Mountain climbing would become a sport for the very wealthy. Climbers do not make willful decisions to make a mistake or have an accident. One incident could wipe out a family's home, car and ability to care for their family. If you apply charging for mountain rescue, you would begin to see it applied to other high risk rescues.
The climbers made a mistake; they didn't do this on purpose, so I don't think they should be fined or charged for the cost of rescue. I do think that the park should require a certain skill level to scale the mountain, though.
@@merilaescobar A picture is worth a thousand words and that is what you see in these faces who went through horrific trauma?
They pulled all their pickets and left themselves unprotected on steep terrain, relying solely on their ability to self-arrest. The most inexperienced person did not feel like speaking up because she didn't want to be the weak link. She slips, despite having crampons (which is supposed to prevent you from slipping) and it turns out that noone can actually self-arrest. Then the one hero in this story comes to save them, dies in the process, but all y'all folk from Texas still live and you've successfully completed your "warm up" climb so you can go on and climb Denali. Life's not fair. Nick Hall, you are a hero. Thanks to all the climbing rangers for what you do.
THIS!!! Exactly, RIP Nick Hall, true hero.
@@ontheroad684 Were the Texans' mistakes any worse than Hall's failure to bring an ice ax?
how could they know whether he had an ice axe with him before he fell. It probably was lost in the fall
@@valerieann2751 It's highly unlikely that a member of a professional rescue team would fail at properly executing a self-arrest; maybe he mentioned not have an ax; maybe others noticed his not having an ax, etc, etc.
I guarantee you these amateurs will not summit Denali! They couldn’t even get down from Rainer!! 😂🤣
I live near Mt. Rainier. Climbed it, hiked it, camped it.... I remember when this happened. Utter stupidity and over-inflated egos. Mt. Rainier is so tall it makes its own weather. Before I climb or hike there (there are tons of trails) I always study guidebooks, trail maps, weather reports, and mountain cams from Paradise (where a person starts to hike to Camp Muir base camp). Never do I just arrogantly sign the climber log book at Longmire (record of who is up there/return date) and take off.
I'm blown away by taking pictures of a hurt lip when your actions cost someone their life
Climbed it..... did you reach the top?
@bobabooey4537
No. I meant climbed on it. Sorry about my lazy typing.
@@bobabooey4537 go call to question integrity
“It’s so tall and makes its own weather” man you aren’t kidding! That mountain is something else- when I visited it it was like nothing I’ve ever experienced
Did they though? Because I feel like the action of not bring ing badic mountaineering equipment to the most dangerous mountain in the state is what actually caused his death. The climbers made some dumb mistakes, yes. But tbh none of it was as dumb as not bringing an ice ax onto an ice mountain top.
He sits in his hospital bed and posts a picture of minor injuries on his face, the others pose with big smiles on their face all the while knowing a man died trying to rescue them. Such selfish narcissistic fools.
Insensitive. Non-compassionate. Selfish. Not surprised by the narcissism of humans.
Ever think they were grateful to be alive? What an asshole.
@patmccormick9972 who the asshold you
@@ShariAbner1 Huh?
@@patmccormick9972Did they aknowledge the rescuer? No !!
man. these rescuers are real heroes.
No doubt about it!
I climbed the mountain with a buddy, we practiced on Mt Hood and learned a valuable lesson. Climb early and don't hang around on the summit. On a sunny day, the surface of the snow can melt, this sticky snow builds up on your crampons until they have no grip and down the mountain you go, like you were climbing in sneakers.
Horrifying!
I never thought about that... Not that I'll never need it as I'm terrified of climbing, but still, interesting!
I was loosely acquainted with Nick's family and lived in Tacoma at that time. They asked me to store his Toyota and personal property at my home for a couple months until they could retrieve it. It was surreal having Nick's stuff at my house... That picture of these 5 smiling in the hospital after they caused a man to die, is sickening.
they certainly did not CAUSE him to die. Them needing rescue was ONE step in a chain of events that let to the death. It is definitely sad.
@@charlesborlase2238 Yes, their RIDICULOUS stupidity in such a dangerous situation is what caused his death. They should be sued.
At what point are they allowed to smile again? 10 years. Never? What's the exact number of days? It's petty to get worked up about stuff like that. I've been to funerals where jokes were told and people laughed, the deceased not even in the ground yet.
@@brindlebucker4741youre joking right? Would it be "petty" if it was your loved one or family member???? You're using a crap example, the mourners at funerals who deal with grief that way likely didn't CAUSE the person's death! It's not a matter of time limits, it's a matter of freaking being a decent human. Getting your photo taken as a survivor and knowing that photo will be in the media, maybe think about the family of the poor man who's life is over because of your foolishness.
@ did I hear the same report as you? I heard nothing that would be deemed reckless or stupid. Unfortunate accident yes. Both on the climbers and the responder.
You ain't never got to worry about me dying on no mountain or in a homemade sub.
Right
Amen to that! I hate cold weather. I couldn’t imagine temperatures like that.
I am not going scuba diving into any caves either.
@@FranktheDachshundI was just going to say exactly that!
I made much the same mistake as Hall once. My ice axe was out of reach while I took care of a task. I tripped on my points and slid down an ice slope, eventually going over a 100’ cliff. I hit on a steep slope that became more gentle and I eventually stopped sliding in a boulder field without hitting any of them. I pretty much walked away with a bruised knee. It was the most violent experience of my life and yet somehow I relaxed instead of fighting it. Never ever let go of your ice axe.
How did you feel immediately after? Heart pounding like crazy? Did you think you were actually dead? Where you landed did it put you somewhere where you shouldn’t be and make your decent even harder?
Thankfully you survived!! Absolutely wild
So.. did you feel it was worth the risk.. on the way down?
Wow you don’t hear many stories like this with a happy ending. That must have been terrifying! Cause once you pick up some speed there’s not a whole lot you can do! You can try to ‘arrest’ but by then you’re catching air off every little bump. Which makes it almost impossible to self arrest! But for Nick Hall I think they said he forgot his ice axe! By comparison that’s like forgetting your parachute and jumping out of a plane! He would’ve known as soon as he slipped that it was over.
That’ll learn yah. Good lord.
What an idiot.
A group of climbers of different experience levels, size, physical strength and motivation, climbing a life threatening mountain is a recipe for disaster. And the stronger leaving the weaker 'cause they still think they can make it' is a shameful abandonment of responsibility. The tops of these big mountains is an environment as hostile to a human as the bottom of the ocean, or outer space.
I couldn’t finish the story once it began to talk about the deceased ranger. My only feeling is PISSED. It will never sit right with me that innocent brave amazing human beings lose their life in exchange for crazy irresponsible abnormal adventurous human beings. So unfair. Prayers for this hero friends & family ❤️🩹
Agree. Climbers think it's all fun and games and they can call 911 anytime.
Yeah none of the details came out when It happened I live in Portland and remember this
I wonder why you don't feel the same for coal miners when you flip your light switches?🤔
@@MikeHunt-qu6skI think this has a recreational theme that is dangerous. I do think of coal miners who for centuries have been treated poorly.
What was so irresponsible about them? You can’t blame them for this Ranger dying! It’s heartbreaking he lost his life but you can’t put his death on those climbers! Nick Hall was a climber himself! He knew his job was dangerous and he loved it. He wasn’t the type who wants to live to be 80 and die in his sleep! I feel sure he died doing what he loved in a place he loved.
Sounds like the biggest issue here was communication. I live in Arizona so the problem is often extreme heat instead of snow but whenever I’m with a group of new people I make sure to try and advocate for everyone at all points of a long hike. People don’t want to slow the group down so they’ll downplay things like heatstroke until it’s too late and then they die. If you are an inexperienced hiker you shouldn’t ever feel bad for asking to stop or even turning back completely on a hike. It is always always better to be safe than sorry because nature will not forgive your mistake easily.
My condolences to Nick Halls family and friends. My doctor died on Mt. Rainier. He was an amazing man and excellent doctor. It was sad to have lost him but I believe what made his character so amazing was his love of climbing and facing challenges that most of us can't and won't attempt.
In that case, I'm going to die spineless!
The most tragic part of this story is that the Ranger lost his life because some idiots decided to climb a rock and couldn't get down!
@@norml.hugh-mannI'm sure he didn't expect to die for someone who didn't use their brain. He didn't deserve this.
I agree to a certain extend, but it's the same for police officers or fire fighters... people do stupid shit, and unfortunately many lose their lives because of it. It's the darkness part of life.
100%AGREE
@@norml.hugh-mann dumbest shit to say. Thuii
No he lost his life because he didn’t bring an ice axe and the rescue was very disorganized. This is a job he chose to do and knew the risks period
I was the MedEvac dispatcher for 54th MedEvac at Ft. Lewis back in 93-96. We had the MAST program back then (Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic) and we would get dispatched quite often to Mt. Ranier to pull of hikers who did something... "stupid." Usually they were just recovery operations. My fav's were young people not planning for the weather and wearing sneakers while walking on glaciers. Good way to fall 4k feet (it happened several times) and we would have to go and recover the remains.
Thank you so much for sharing your personal story and all you’ve done!!!!! Um, isn’t it sad how you’re not the one with thousands of likes? It’s sad because people would rather complain 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️☀️☀️☀️
Ps-I hope you don’t have PTSD from all you went through being a first responder and TRUE HERO!
@@tamarabrunozzi8482and blame. Don’t forget blame. Maybe their hobby is collecting purses and they don’t understand what drives someone up a mountain, so they find the whole thing stupid. The idea of service is lost on many people today. Also research and training. This group looked well prepared. I once backpacked in the Grand Canyon with someone who thought it would be okay to wear a bikini top under her backpack and couldn’t understand why she the worst sunburn on gods creation.
@@ginniserenano shhhttt! Seems like 90% of the comments are wanting these climbers to lose their freedom or something! It kills me when people say “I don’t understand how people can be so selfish with their hobby’s to put other peoples lives in danger”! Well if you don’t understand then don’t say anything. They sure as hell shouldn’t blame these climbers for the Rangers death! Ranger Nick Hall was a climber too! He knew the risks, loved his job and was damn good at it too! I bet he’d be appalled by some of these comments as well!
Yeah, driving cars kills way more people. Those activities create jobs and markets and are different ways to live life and live our passions. From the mountain ranger to the noob hikers. Mountain guides, rangers, rescuers would not live those jobs if it weren't for those "stupid" people.
I was on the mountain the day they recovered Nick Hall! Tragic story that should not have happened. People way too often underestimate Rainier and or don’t speak up when they’re uncomfortable.
I was on the sawtooth ridge last year when a dark blanket eveloped the mountain.It went from a nice spring day to 15 degree, high winds blackout and a young man perished on the muir.
I stayed at a holiday inn express last night
My claim to fame was working housekeeping at Snowbird back in the early 80s. I cleaned Marty Hoey's room.
@@rtqii I stayed at a holiday inn express
I was loosely acquainted with Nick's family and lived in Tacoma at that time. They asked me to store his Toyota and personal property at my home for a couple months until they could retrieve it. It was surreal having Nick's stuff at my house...
I was at Ranier. Have COPD so I hiked the tourist stuff. Its not easy but fun. I watched Ranier from a few miles away and it is georgous. Majestic. We had a lunch as part of our tour and I ate and watched Ranier have an ice storm but it was warm and sunny where I had been. The problem with climbing is some folks don't know what they are doing and plow right ahead. Everyone should take a tour of Ranier. Beautiful go behold!
The native name for Rainer was Tahoma, not Tacoma.
I wouldn't say it's in central Washington either.
Right! This is funny, I was raised at the Nisqually entrance dad was a horse ranger. It’s Tahoma
@@rogerrabbitog683Do you know anything about history?
@@KrispyLegend69 history is history. Today is now!
@@rogerrabbitog683 that you don't care about the correct spelling and pronunciation of words just shows your lack of education and intelligence.
The fact that they are smiling in the photo at the hospital, knowing they caused the Rangers' death is incomprehensible.
They didnt cause that Rangers death! That’s like saying it’s your fault if you get pulled over for speeding and the cop gets hit walking to your car! The fact he didn’t have his ice axe is what cost him!
The narrator said that the other rangers refused to say anything to the climbers about what they had seen when he fell off the mountain. So maybe they still had not been told he had died when they were taking the picture. They had just that minute walked out of the hospital. I never did hear when they were told.
Why do females love blaming ppl for things that aren’t their fault? This man knew the risks and even forgot to bring an icepix 😂
Wahmen😂☕️ obviously they didn’t know, calm down
They obviously didn’t know, calm down Karen
As a licensed wilderness, guide and paramedic, we are taught to never ever risk your own life saving other people. Just proves nothing you can’t help other people if you’re dead, and the protocol for becoming certified is to not engage in such actions. This only leads to other people going out there taking bigger and bigger wrists and expecting to be taken care of, so this was wrong. However, is also the question of what these people who are out there and what they were doing and how incredibly irresponsible it was sad but shouldn’t have gone down that way.
what was irresponsible?
You aren't the same as a member of a SAR team. You know that, right?
I’ve led Rainier climbs multiple times, including this route. Also a mountain rescue volunteer for a number of years. There are no villains here. This group was being extra cautious by placing pickets. You won’t see many people doing that on these main climbing routes. You rely on self arrest with an ice axe, as they eventually chose to. I might have arranged the rope team differently based on experience, but that’s about it. The death of the ranger was tragic, but he was doing what rescuers do every day and simply made a fatal mistake.
I thought the same, wow they placed pickets!
Hiked the wonderland trail with my daughter. Late September. Prior to hitting the snowfields bad bad weather set in. I called it. Daughter was mad until we waited in bathroom of sunrise parking lot. Blew so hard and sideways snow couldn't see the few feet to our rescue car ride home. Was pure sunshine hours prior.
This similar story happened close to home here in so cal on Mt Baldy, when SAR were lookin for a lost hiker and a volunteer SAR member slipped (wearing crampons) down an ice chute and did not make it. SAR suspended the search immediately. Heart breaking story
Love this video. I just moved to Washington 6 months ago and have a dramatic view of Mr. Rainier from my living room.
Hope you’re not from California.
@@SeminDemin it’s too late… the Californians have already flooded in and ruined it
Good story, I've been on a tour to the welcome station on the mountain. It's been said a million times, but pictures don't do it justice. From Seattle, it just looks like a giant looking over the landscape. I'd love to experience the climb to the summit, but until they can install an escalator I'll never see it. Just to view the mountain from a distance was a thrill for me. God's work is something to behold.
I can see this mountain very clearly from the street on which I live. Very nice to look at. I've been many times to its lower slopes. I'm happy to look at the upper slopes, no desire to try to get there.
I've vacationed in several different mountainous states and love the mountains. I have no desire to climb one nor ski down one. Surely not one coated in ice.
That's how a mountain is safely appreciated
@@janettamcgee8124i summited Rainier my first alpine climb, though we had perfect weather
I would feel guilty for the rest of my life knowing that the young rescuer died because of me. Seeing them grinning in that hospital photo made me cringe.
They couldn't have known at that point that a death had occurred, and they may not even have known about the rescuer having fallen.
The photo depicts one climber with her family, not the entire group of climbers.
Wahmen☕️ they didn’t know Karen
Plenty of soldiers have died for you. Do you have trouble sleeping at night knowing that thousands have died for you?
@@brindlebucker4741how is that comparable?? Did my personal stupidity cause the death of those soldiers?
😮 Amazing story! Tragic that Ranger Hall lost his life .
Thanks for your feedback. It’s a tragic loss, but his bravery will not be forgotten.
I lived in Washington state for 34 years, I could look out of my kitchen window and see a beautiful view of Mt Rainier, my neighbor who lived behind me, lost his life on Mt Rainier, we attend his funeral 2010😢
I get so angry that innocent people lose their lives trying to save people that take these risks
What boggles my mind is why an experienced ranger would not carry an ice axe up the mountain. They weigh less than one pound.
I don’t understand it either. Only thing I can think of is that he was in a hurry grabbing medical supplies and other stuff and took off without it! I would think and ice axe is even more important than crampons! Cause if you slipped then what will you use to stop your fall?
The ranger had an ax with him
The video said he had one it was out of reach cause he was handling the stretcher
@@MichaelMelko-l1l He says here that (25:53) the post-accident report stated that he didn't have an ice axe.
How would they know for sure Nick did not bring an ice axe? Isn’t it very possible it was lost when he fell? I would think so. Seems strange to assume that he forgot it . Trying to save face I guess. Not his fault he died.
The climbers who decide to do this, need to do so without expecting to involve others if they get into trouble.
Yep I agree they should all have to sign a way their life if you decide to do these things and something goes wrong do not expect anyone else to give up their lives to get you.
Thats the visión of a person that dont know what their talking about, you should speak with a ranger and say the same thing to them, you'll see they dont think like you.
Thanks for great coverage on this accident. Gladly they got through it. May the Ranger rest in peace.
I lived in the northwest for 17 years… Mount Rainier is unpredictable.
As a guide and someone that has climbed 5 of the world's 7 tallest mountains on earth and has climbed Mt rainier 34 times in the last 10 years there's a reason why the mountain is called little danali it's a tough amd deadly mountain but soooo worth it if the mountain ALLOWS you to climb it never forget that it's the mountain that decides who lives and who doesn't
Care to explain your comment in a bit more depth? That’s quite a statement!
@@pod8234 because nobody conquers one of these big mountains. If the weather holds, rocks dont fall, avalanches dont happen, climbing partner doesnt slip and pull you off, then you will live. if something bbeyond your control happens, you can die.
@@sammyseagull thank you! I must have been tired. When I re-read the OP’s original statement it seemed quite clear. What the heck, I must have had a blonde moment. 😱🥳😁
Then I don't need preparations only luck. Seriously I made mistakes on mountains but I learned from that. If it was up to luck I wouldn't get close to a mountain
Accidents do happen but a successful summit mainly depends on the weather and your own judgment. Also basic skills are a must in mountaineering. That includes, survival and self rescue.
Yes, they should be charged. They chose to climb, they know the risks, they need to take responsibility when things go south. That being said, what a horrific accident.
I'm wondering if you should be charged and take responsibility for dead coal miners when you thoughtlessly flip your light switches on?🤔
If posting stupid and thoughtless comments was a crime, you would be charged
@@southwestxnorthwest 🤣😂
@MikeHunt-qu6sk The two situations are at opposite ends of the spectrum. One serves NO real purpose while the other maintains life by providing energy... Heat, power to sustain an economy.
Those who climb do it mostly to satisfy their own egos.
Charged for what? Shit happens! This was Nick Hall’s job! He understood the risks. Saying it’s their fault he died is like saying it’s your fault if you get pulled over for speeding and the cop gets hit while walking to your car! You should be glad that you or your family members can be adventurous and go exploring in this country and have peace of minding knowing if you or they get into trouble there is almost always someone you can call for help! Could be on a mountain or in a dessert or out at sea!
From what I saw I don't think the climbers were irresponsible. They took precautions. They placed pickets on the way down, for example. I have climbed Mt. Rainier four times and the thought of placing pickets on the way down never occurred to me. Usually the snow is soft when the sun hits it and has time to penetrate. Although icy sections can remain higher up. That is the main reason climbers usually start the climb at 1 to 2 AM, firm snow. I don't think anyone was to blame for these two accidents. Basically stuff just happens. As for the smiling hospital photo, without knowing the context, I believe it is wrong to infer their feelings about the deceased ranger.
I feel the same way! It’s sad the people blaming the climbers for the Rangers death.
I've climbed Mt Rainier twice. Like all the Cascade Volcanoes, climbing is challenging and weather can be unpredictable. Rainier is heavily crevassed. These deep fissures can be hard to see, especially with blowing snow or flat light.
@@chrisemerson7743 As someone not involved in climbing, I have no personal skin in the game, but I have a great interest in the outdoors and understand the passion people have for outdoor pursuits. That said, my experience with safety and risk management convinces me that these climbers were indirectly responsible for the Ranger's death, albeit as an unintended consequence of the situation that arose. The reality is that if they hadn't been on the mountain, there would have been no need for a rescue operation under such challenging conditions, and while rescuers do accept a level of risk - their job demands it - it was the climbers' actions that led to the incident that caused his death. That is pretty cut and dried. The question is: Did these climbers think about the absolute worst-case scenario and the consequences that might arise before undertaking the expedition? Clearly not, and it cost the Ranger his life.
@@ToddBrittain1963you can extend your argument to everything. Do you always think about the worst case scenario before driving your car? Before turning the burner when cooking? Do you think about the worst case scenario of being born? Pretty sure people die from butterfly effect from our everyday action. The extra pollution we create give someone cancer. And knowing free will doesn't exist means we have to make rules for the world we live in, hence those people were within those rules and laws. Blaming serves nothing here unless you start getting way too many death and want to outlaw climbing the mountain.
@@purpleblueunicorn Well yes, I always consider the worst-case scenario when driving my car, which is why I consistently wear a seatbelt, adhere to the speed limit, and avoid driving in poor weather or heavy traffic. Don't you? This approach has kept me accident-free for 45 years. Similarly, when I turn on the stove to cook, I think of the potential dangers, which is why there's a large fire extinguisher within reach and why I never leave the stove unattended when cooking. It's all about risk management. Yes, people die daily from the unintended consequences of routine activities, but the responsible thing to do is to avoid directly engaging in activities or creating or entering situations that significantly increase the risk of death for oneself or others. Mountaineering is inherently dangerous and can be fatal. Individuals are free to choose to undertake this risk. However, third parties completely detached from the decision to climb should never be subjected to the lethal repercussions of that decision. That is the distinction here.
So sad about ranger Hall. I don't wanna play the blame game here, so I will just add that the rescuers themselves admitted that the operation was understaffed and a bit disorganized. Seeing that, I believe the hikers themselves were not to blame. We can argue all we want that people shouldn't hike, but this has never stopped humanity before, and it won't ever. It's in our nature, the need for exploration. Of course, you need to do it responsibly - but this is the thing: in this case, I see no irresponsibility from the hikers. They had the correct equipment, took precautions and safety measures as much as possible.
That doesn't mean they shouldn't contribute in any possible ways to the ranger organization that saved them and to help with ranger Hall's funeral expenses. If it were me, I'd definitely feel obligated to donate as much as I could, because those people saved mine and my friend's lives.
For some people, though, exploration is going to Macy's when they get the new season's merchandise in.
It's nobody's fault but those climbers they should have stayed in Texas where they belonged nobody should ever have to risk their lives to save anybody who decides to put their own lives in danger and a story
I am from Tacoma Washington which isn't very far from Mt. Rainier. The native name for Rainier is Tahoma, not Tacoma. FYI.
I'll bet the invoice for all of this was hellishly expensive
Seriously 😢
I lived in Washington at the time, while I can’t say I specifically remember this particular accident, I was actually closer to Mt Hood and there were some horrific accidents up there. Including and entire class of young students that got caught up there in bad weather. They did what they could, what they thought was best. They built a snow cave and tried to ride out the storm. The problem was the snow cover their exit. One by one each student died of hypothermia and dehydration, while rescuers were frantically searching for them. After something like 10 days, they were finally found. Everyone had succumbed until they found one student who was still barely alive. He was the lone survivor of the group. He lost his legs from frostbite, but went on to fully recover other than his legs from the horrible ordeal.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_Mount_Hood_disaster
@@Kattycorner59 yea I looked it up, seems like there were 2 survivors. Funny how the mind works because I would have sworn there was just one. It happened in 1986. They were sophomores and I graduated in June of that year. They were close to the same age as I am. Then there was the rescue helicopter crashed up there. Makes me wonder why people are drawn to mountain climbing.
@@maryannkom299 we lived in Oregon at the time and I was a patient of the doctor mother of the survivor. She got incredibly mean when I said to her how amazing it was that her child had survived ….never went back
I was in a climbing group that was on Mt Hood that Saturday. As the weather was too bad to make the climb, our leader signed in the log book at Mt Hood Lodge, we walked to the nearby mountain hut to gain experience dealing with bad weather, returned to the Lodge, signed out, and left. The two groups before us that Friday evening had also abandoned plans to summit and left. One was a private party, the other the Seattle Mountaineers guiding a climbing class, their notations in the log book read something like “very bad weather, worse storm forecast, not climbing”.
Then the Episcopal School group went up. I always wondered if they signed into the log book, did they read the recent entries, and still climbed.
Sunday afternoon the weather cleared, I remember watching the search helicopters from our dormitory lounge at OHSU. We had a clear view of Mt Hood from there.
Just post holing to the hut and back in the buffeting winds was exhausting.
Yea that was a total disaster! The guy leading that group led those kids to their death! He was told more than once that bad weather was coming!
"Live Bold and stay brave"?
I don't think so. "Be cautious, the life you save may be your own."
Pretty good story. I made two attempts on Mt Rainier and got weathered off both times.
Dixie Lee Ray, however made the summit when she was twelve years old, latert becoming Chairwoman of the Atomic Enerygy Commission and Governor of the State of Washington.
I saw Dixie Lee Ray once. She was driving through the University District of Seattle in a Jaguar XKE sports car with two big Afghan Hounds riding in back.
Nick died doing what he loved. Rescuing those in need. A true hero.
They weren’t in need though, they made dumb decisions that led to the death of this ranger. Also wasted a lot of tax payers money. Sigh
With some proper training and planning, Rainier is a relatively easy climb. But it can turn ugly very quickly. Lost two friends on that mountain. One by rock fall. The other by avalanche.
Relatively easy and you lost two friends? That's awful btw so sorry for your losses. All the training and planning in the world can't stop things like rock falls and avalanches though. You take a big risk when mountain climbing regardless of your skill.
People need to select the approach that matches their experience and their climbing party.
In one of the essays in "Classic Krakauer" Jon talks about what makes Rainier more dangerous than it looks. Highly recommended reading.
This has to AI narrated. So many mistakes. Camp Muir is not on the Emmons Glacier Route, that is Camp Sherman. Emmons Glacier is not a “custom route”, it is the second most popular route on the mountain.
@@feldspar1333Also 90% of the photos are stock photos or AI-
Many not even of Rainer.
It’s super annoying.
there are some comments faulting the climbers for the ranger's tragic death but that's literally what the rangers are there to do, rescue people, and they're proud to do it. the climbers seemed properly prepared for the climb and it was just a freak accident. every activity has risks, even walking.
Just women b*tchin as usual
If they didn’t go on the mountain none of this would have happened they should’ve stayed in Texas where they belong
Yeah sure. Now tell me the ranger died doing something he loved and how proud he was of dying.
@@DiabolikalFollikles he loved falling off the mountain? lol jk ik what u mean
Fuc that! Ya rescue! Exactly! Not die!!
If people insist on doing things that can be extremely dangerous, then they should sign a waiver stating that they will be on their own if things go sideways.
I see you have used lot of clips that don’t belong to Mt Rainier. This might be misleading.
I was there Sept 2023, reached the base camp but due to excessive glacier meltdown couldn’t attempt the summit.
I am only a few minutes in and already know that I am going to love this channel! I real person narrating and stunning videos, you have one more subscriber!👏👏👏👏👏
Stupid people do stupid things. RIP Ranger.
I wouldn’t say this group was terribly prepared. People do difficult hikes/climbes every day. Having volunteered at a NP in the PNW, I can tell you many people go into the backcountry ill prepared for nature?
Nick Hall was killed, but the important thing is that the four "daring climbers" 😂 from Texas, got a lot of photos, right?!! 👎 👎 👎 👎 👎
AI narration, yuck
Bad writing too, yuck
@@humanbeing2420seems like AI narration too, yeah? This video is weird.
@@ElleDuderino It's so odd to find total garbage on TH-cam. The standards here are so high.
I cannot find any feelings for people who choose to gamble with death and lose! They endanger rescuers and cause grief to love ones. I wonder … For those who have death wishes, if for whatever reason they couldn’t ever speak about or take photos of their adventure to anyone, would they still do it? Or is if for bragging rights and ego, to tell about it?
The rescuer’s choose too.
@@Roloves-frank That is true. Except that in his duty as a rescuer he cannot decide who he rescues.
@@barbiekat6352yes he can, he can say no.
I don’t understand anyone climbing. Putting yourself and other people at risk. Pure selfishness
Do you feel the same about driving a car, or are you just a hypocrite?
@@MikeHunt-qu6sk You miss the point. To earn a living, driving is often a necessity. Working is often a fact of life.
Choosing to climb.. for the personal challenge of it.. is a VERY DIFFERENT and needless situation.
The difference is like Night and Day. That SHOULD be obvious.
@@faithradadriving is not different. People have only driven for the last 80 or so years and more people make stupid and selfish mistakes that kill driving than they do with guns. You need insurance. You could never get insurance for high risk behavior. You can’t ever get insurance for preexisting conditions one of which is pregnancy.
@@ginniserena Not true. Insurance including pre-existing conditions was one of the benefits brought to us by the Affordable Care Act. I'm a physician who graduated from medical school in 1980. I'm still working. If you have coverage that denies you benefits for pre-existing conditions, they're doing something illegal. But health insurance is sneaky, wouldn't put it past them to try.
Women are boring 🥱
Thanks!
Oh man I just now saw this - thank you so much!
it doesn’t matter if climbers prepare well for the climb or not. Their mistake is going to a dangerous place for sport (or pleasure or whatever reason), they shouldn’t expect anyone come rescue them for their decision. It’s not like you go to a mountain in your backyard and slip and fall and need someone to come rescue, this kind of rescue does not cost live of others! Don’t tell me whether or not these climbers didn’t make mistake, how dare they even think 911 should save them in the first place
This was a mountain ranger unit that exists to save people who get into trouble on the mountain. It’s not like calling 911 and getting your local police dept.
I’ve summitted Rainier and this video massively exaggerates the difficulty of the climb with its descriptions and photos that look more like Everest or K2 than rainier. Yes it’s dangerous, obviously, but not in the way this video portrays it.
I know, the mountain of death vibe had my eyes rolling.
Reading this thread has been telling. The hate mongers come out of the woodwork pointing fingers at their selected demons. This well told story is a terrific opportunity to learn and move the needle toward safety and preventing such tragedies in the future ... or maybe we should all just stay home and watch TV?
respect to rescue teams
"you never want to be the weakest one...."(and so she did not say what she really thought and felt), so it was pride and ego that caused the disaster. Quite a lesson to learn, I guess.
Sounds a little judgey to me…it’s hard to say what any one of us would do under similar circumstances. She will have to live with her decision and I have found compassion goes farther than judgment any day. My guess is she will fault herself over this for years.
It was an error in judgment at the time, and I can understand because she probably thought everybody else knew what they were doing so who was she to start complaining. But she said it out loud so that other people would not make the same mistake. That takes guts.
Embellished a bit, pics of the Himalayas people using oxygen etc. I've been there and successfully made it to the top. It's a dangerous place at times. May God Bless the Ranger that died and all those who do Rescue work.
So they blamed halls death on him not having an ice axe instead of the chopper pilot knocking him off the mountain. Typical BS, and I'm so tired of hearing how these sort of people tend to always blame the victim instead of the real culprit.
I climbed Raineer in 2007 with Alpine Accents. Coming down was harder than going up. I slipped once and was saved by the climbers attached to me. Great experience and probably won't do it again.
"One of the worst accidents on any mountain anywhere." Ugh......what?
Incredible story, thanks for sharing.
Time for the group to put a statue of Nick Hall at the base
- with thanks and in memory of the hero's who risk their lives to blindly save us
I too feel upset that the ranger died
A man died because those people made poor choices, because they lacked the skill, knowledge and know how to know when and how to navigate the mountain. The people who loves and cared for him will never be the same
Absolutely, they should be charged. I get that these people chose to put their lives in danger for a thrill but they also put others lives in danger who have to come haul their sorry asses off the mountains.
That’s their job you nit wit! Nick Hall was a climber too! Perhaps one time he needed rescued and that’s why he became a Ranger! Blaming the climbers for his death is bullshit! That’s like saying it’s your fault if you get pulled over for speeding and the cop gets hit walking to your car!
Charged?
Charged for what exactly? Was it their fault a member of the rescue team forgot vital equipment? Nope. Not their fault the rescue team went up without the man power needed to carry out a successful run. To say these people should be charged is crazy.
lol women always want people jailed 😂 so irrational.
😂 women☕️
I found myself crying about Nick Hall's death.
Yeah shoulda been the climbers instead
I wonder, do those 4 idiots ever feel bad?
15:45 "You never want to be the weakest link". That's the mentality that kills! 🤦♂All of these moutain climbers seem to have an "ego" and none of them ever wants to admit to having a weakness. In my opinion, that's an attitude that messes up our entire society. They didn't learn that attitude on the mountain, that's for sure.
We hiked up the Camp Muir a couple of years ago. It’s so beautiful up there. I would love to do it again.
I’m so heartbroken for the ranger that lost his life trying to save others. RIP
You should always voice your concerns and don't care if people think you're a wimp. It can save yours and other people's life.
Correction: Mt. Rainier is Tahoma, not Tacoma. Tacoma is a city.
I have never understood the attraction to climbing mountains!! I would never ever want to!!
What selfish people. Poor guy and his family. Rip.
It is an unforgiving mountain. I made it to the top in 2005 at 50 years old and did it with Rainier Mountaineering. I would never want to navigate through all the crevasses with a makeshift team. There is a long list of deaths on that mountain and tragically Ranger Hall is one of them.
It appears that Denali is interpolated at 8:51, I was just "up there" with friends back on August 20, 2024 - a flight from Talkeetna into the Alaskan Range. Back in July 2015, our 8-member team summited the highest point in Alaska, when it was still named McKinley. It is imperative that all members of the team know their tools, talents and when to call Go vs No-Go. The last time I was topside on Rainier was July 2019 with two rope teams, three climbers each. Took the common DC route with perfect weather. There were a few mishaps, but no disasters. Being all on The Same Page, in terms of when to postpone a summit due to poor weather, is essential for any summit bid as challenging as Rainier... The Mountain isn't going anywhere (unless, of course, it's St. Helens in 1980).
The thrill of being tested to one's very limits and coming very close to death are common reasons people climb mountains and cliffs, deep sea dive, spelunk, and other things like this. When tragedy strikes as it does, hence the risk, we feel awful for them and, valuing life, we send expensive, highly trained help and put those folks at risk in turn. There's no refusing to help, and no good way to control human nature. But keep in mind - the more we do this stuff, the more it costs and not just in $$.
Oh Nick Hall..... RIP....you tried to save them
I appreciate the realistic quality to this video. And I'd like to mention that I've heard the name, Tacoma, spoken phonetically as such: Tá-kah-muh. I realize that of course, people speaking words in their own languages that are not the original language of those words will change their pronunciation and even their spelling in order to accommodate their natural way of speaking in an effort also to incorporate the word into their own language, making it sound and read as naturally a part of their own language as possible.
Egos can't conquer mountains
I think any climbers that attempt that, should do it at their own risk, if they get in trouble so be it no one should have to risk their life for someone consciously making the effort to climb that mountain, or any mountains, that's total bulshit that that guy had to die saving those assholes
If you climb a rock and get stuck, that’s your fault, and if they have to be rescued, they should be charged for the cost and they can take the rest of their life to pay for the bill. No sympathy it’s just plain stupid.
My friend talked me into climbing Kissing Camel rocks in Colorado Springs. I got up there with him, but I could not get back down. The National Guard had to come and get me, and yes they charge $250, this was in the early 80s. The thing is, I was a member of the National Guard at the time! They ended up not charging me money, but I was on extra duty forever, and the guys just never let me live it down. But the thing is, they let me live. I was 24 years old. That was the end of my climbing days.
@@stacyjaye6350 LOL
I think the same about the obsese.
Fellas, if you're going to go climb a mountain. Leave the ladies at home.
Excellent narration; what an ordeal, RIP to Ranger Nick Hall.
Thank you for the kind words. It was indeed a challenging story to share. Ranger Nick Hall's bravery and dedication are truly remembered and honored.
I summited via Emmons Route in the early 2000s. As any climber knows before attempting a summit bid, this puts a whole other perspective on the mountain. Fine line.
The people that take on the risk of the trip, should be the ones
who take on that responsibility, even if it means their death.
There should be no rescuers who die in their place. Let
the hikers take on their own death. Stop rescuing
People who make their own decisions to take risks. It’s
Just wrong. If people chose their trip, they chose their
Fate too.
But the rescuers also choose to be rescuers for their own reasons.
No one is forcing them to do the rescue.
@privatemh2648 Right, so only the independently wealthy can climb. Makes sense (sarcasm alert)
Stupid climbers always selfish. They never thought that by climbing this mountain they would risk someone elses life if something happened to them
Never understood roping together. One falls, drags others down.
The faller is supposed to yell fall, and then the whole team digs their 🪓 in.
I do not understand that either. Stupid.
@@DrDeuteron You can fall so quickly and unexpectantly especially off of drop off that by the time you yell OH SHIT, your force would tug on that rope with no hope for the higher to dig in, and dig in to rock?
@@batesartworks its a pretty standard technique on glaciers.
Mountaineering is the ultimate ego trip.
They are a horrible company that tampers with our talent but I’d love to do a big cross over show with them! -TK
Moral: if your uncertainty puts others at risk, don’t take it.
Mt. Ranier is NOT located in central Washington....get the facts right
Come on, we all know everything past the cascade mountains is eastern Washington. So a mountain in the middle of the Cascades would be central right? 😂
Okay, the ranger is at the site, first thing, install an anchor and rope in to a harness you are wearing. If there was hubris, it was him, the hero of the day, there to rescue everyone. One slip, no ice axe, and he was slipping to his death.
These are for beauty not for showing off
I hear so many of these climbing gone bad stories on the news here in Washington that I don't pay much attention anymore. These climbers make their choices and rescuers have to risk their lives.....families and friends of dead people have to suffer.
This video appears to be AI Generated
I live in Port Townsend, WA and we can see the mountain which is 100 miles away.
Oh, what an adventure, what a challenge, what a cheap thrill! We in the Northwest have been advised about these beautiful volcanoes, and the storms that appear suddenly out of the Gulf of Alaska. An entire church group out of Portland was wiped out on Hood back in the eighties. Amusing to hear of Colorado's "14ers", already at 6,000 ft. Big deal. Rainier is a killer. Enjoy it on the trails near the Lodge. You disrespect this monster you'll pay. Do you not have people who love you? How selfish can you get. And the responders when things go bad, the rescues that cost the public. Some legacy.
I don't care what anyone says, when the hikers attempt to go up a mountain, if something goes wrong, there should be no rescue attempt. This ranger had a life, a family. It was not fair to ask him to give up his life because of the misdeeds of o😊thers.