Rescuers find snow cave, gear, footprints near peak of Mt. Hood.

[MissB]

http://www.katu.com/news/4940077.html

HOOD RIVER, Ore. (AP) - Helicopters looking for three missing climbers found a snow cave near the summit of Mount Hood on Sunday, officials said. Footprints and climbing gear were also spotted.

Search teams will decide at the site whether rescuers will be lowered to the mountain or climbers at the summit will descend, said Sgt. Gerry Tiffany, of the Hood River County sheriff's office.

Officials said they were certain they had found a snow cave about 300 feet from the summit of the mountain.

It is near the spot where one of the missing climbers placed a distress call from his cell phone a week ago, Tiffany said.

Helicopters spotted rope that had been intentionally laid out, an ice spike and footprints, Tiffany said.

Helicopters saw the site Saturday but weather conditions were too difficult to investigate further. They returned on Sunday.

[cwydro]

1. Just saw on CNN

they have found the snow cave and inside it found a sleeping bag (or pad), rope, and two ice axes. No people yet. Also found a Y carved into the snow which is a climber signal for location.

Fingers crossed. Sunset at 4:28 PT.

[FairVotes4all]

2. One climber has been found dead. the search is suspended

so sad...