Rescuers say Hood climbers were ill-prepared

GOVERNMENT CAMP, Ore. – Volunteers who helped rescue five men from Mount Hood over the weekend said the climbers were well-equipped, but ill-prepared to tackle whiteout conditions.

“These guys had the correct equipment – maps, compass, altimeter, cell phone, mountain locator unit,” said rescuer Steve Rollins.

But not all of them knew how to use the equipment, and the climbers were also unfamiliar with the mountain’s geographic features, he said.

“The real problem here is people not appreciating the strength of storms on Mount Hood,” Rollins said.

The climbers, who used a cell phone to call for help Saturday night, were identified as Brian Anderson, 24, of Portland; Ben Elkind, 22, of Lake Oswego, Ore.; Bryce Benge, 29, also of Lake Oswego; Jeremiah West, 28, of Portland; and Brian Weihs, 39, of Hillsboro, Ore. All were in good condition when they reached Timberline Lodge just before midnight, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said.

Mount Hood has been the site of several high-profile rescues in the past six months.

Elkind told the AP the climbing party had never asked for an “immediate rescue.” He said their plan was to dig a snow cave and huddle in it during the whiteout.

Elkind is taking some offense that his mountaineering skills have been questioned.

Still, he said he appreciates the rescuers’ efforts.

“It was good to know they were there,” he said.