FAN FAVORITE: Trapped on Mt. Hood | Discovery | 4

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0:33The End

0:54He hasn't slept in over 36 hours, but he has to keep his fatigue at bay. The search and rescue workers riding in the helicopter with Summers are counting on him. He needs to find the rest of his climbing party before they freeze to death on the side of this mountain. Those 11 climbers are sheltered inside a tiny snow cave somewhere on the slopes below. Nine of the climbers are teenagers from Oregon Episcopal School. Summers was hired as a climbing consultant to help guide the group to the top of the mountain. He assumed the climb would be straightforward. But near the summit, they were suddenly caught in a vicious blizzard.

1:36Summers dug the snow cave so they could take refuge from the elements. That was at 8.30 p.m. last night, almost 20 hours ago. This morning, Summers and a student named Molly Shula hiked down the mountain to find help. They risked their lives fighting through the storm. Now, Summers has joined the rescuers, hopeful he can retrace his steps and lead them back to the snow cave. When they lifted off a few minutes ago, Summers was certain he could figure out the route back to the cave. Now, he's not so sure. In the seven hours since he and Molly climbed down, the storm hasn't let up, and heavy snowfall has rendered the terrain unrecognizable.

2:21He braces himself as the helicopter lurches in the wind. Over his headset, Summers hears the pilot's voice. Sorry about that, folks. These gusts are tossing us around a little. How are you doing back there, Ralph? See anything yet? Not yet. Summers sees that it's 3.50 p.m. If they can't find the cave before sundown, the missing climbers will probably have to spend a second night stranded on the mountain. Summers peers down and sees ice-covered rocks emerging from the white landscape. He sees a vaguely familiar grouping of boulders. He's just about to tell the pilot to hover over them when thick clouds suddenly roll in, obscuring his view.

3:05He calls out over his headset. I can't see. Yeah, we've lost visibility. If we stay out here any longer in this, we could fly right into the side of the mountain. We've got to head back to base. The helicopter starts to descend as Summers grits his teeth in frustration. He knows that until this storm lets up, there's no way he'll be able to help them find the snow cave. And if they can't reach those missing climbers soon, some of them might not make it off the mountain alive.

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4:17on HBO Max. Does it bother you that the world is on fire? Do you also often find yourself choking on your own rage? Maybe you too perpetually feel like screaming bloody freaking murder into your own pillow. Well, hop in, rabble-rouser. We're going hunting for a manifesto. Listen to Dan Taberski's manifesto wherever you get your podcasts.

4:42From Wondery, I'm Cassie DePeckel, and this is Against the Odds.

4:54On May 12, 1986, 13 climbers from a wilderness program at Oregon Episcopal School found themselves caught in a ferocious storm on Mount Hood. They were unable to descend safely and took refuge in a snow cave. The next morning, search and rescue personnel swarmed across the mountain, looking for the missing climbers. But conditions on the mountain were brutal, with extreme cold, strong winds, and low visibility. While the rescue teams risked their lives on the mountain, friends and family of the missing climbers gathered at Mount Hood's Timberline Ski Resort and waited, hoping against hope that their loved ones would be saved.

5:39This is Episode 4, Discovery.

5:51Frank McGinnis stares out the window of Mount Hood's Timberline Lodge restaurant. It's 7.50 p.m. on May 13th, and the sky is dark and foreboding. The storm that's been pounding the mountain since yesterday afternoon is refusing to let up. As a result, rescue efforts have been temporarily suspended. Again, 11 climbers are still stranded out there, including his son Patrick. Frank closes his eyes and kneads the back of his neck as he imagines the horror they must be going through. Excuse me, Mr. McGinnis? Frank turns to see that one of the rescue workers has approached him. There's a few of us from the team eating dinner over there.

6:35We wanted to see if you'd like to join us. Frank looks over and sees five other members of the rescue squad seated at a long table, waving him over. He nods quietly and walks across the dining room to join them. Over dinner, the workers share tales of past rescue attempts that were pulled off in the harshest conditions. The stories make Frank feel a little more hopeful that this rescue will have a happy ending as well. As they get to the end of their meal, Frank turns to the group. So, listen, I was wondering, could you give me a sense of the plan for tonight and tomorrow? The rescue workers exchange glances and nod.

7:16Frank, you can read a map, right? Frank nods. Yeah, I can read a map. I can get lost, too. The rescue workers get up and start clearing the table. One of them unrolls a large topographical map. Frank learned to read maps like this in the military. That was a long time ago, but it's coming back fast. So Frank, see this area up here? That's White River Canyon. We think the snow cave is up there, and we'll find it very soon, I promise. And you've got choppers flying over for the bird's eye view, right? That's right. And now that we have the manpower, we're keeping four to five search teams on the mountain, as long as conditions allow.

7:57Wow. The weather's not good, but it's getting better. And we've got more and more people coming in to help. Frank's throat tightens with emotion. I appreciate that. Thanks for everything you're doing. Frank shakes their hands and leaves the restaurant for some fresh air. He's overcome with gratitude for these people who are risking so much to find his son. And their optimism has turned out to be contagious. The stomach pain that has nagged him ever since he last saw Patrick is now completely gone. But as he steps outside, his mood turns again. Several reporters rush towards him with outstretched microphones.

8:37Any updates on your son? Frank blinks. He isn't sure how the reporters got his name. Hey guys, leave me alone, alright? He retreats to the lobby. His stomach hurts again. He clutches it as the total horror of his son's predicament reasserts itself. But there's nothing he can do. so he walks off in the direction of his room. He hopes he'll fall asleep quickly and that he'll wake up to good news about his son.

9:13Barry Wright downs the last drops of another styrofoam cup of coffee and rubs his eyes. It's 3 a.m., and he's been up for nearly 24 hours helping to coordinate the search for the missing climbers. They've converted Timberline Resort's ski patrol office into base operations, and it's littered with empty coffee cups and food containers. But he's hopeful that all their efforts are finally about to pay off. A few hours ago, they finally got a break in the weather. For the first time since the rescue effort started, the skies are clear and winds are low. Wright now has three teams searching the upper reaches of White River Canyon, where Ralph Summers thinks they'll find the snow cave.

9:59Even in darkness, the rescuers will make much better progress now that the weather is in their favor. Wright perks up at the sound of a new transmission coming in. Base, this is Team 7. Go ahead, Team 7. We found tracks. They're originating from somewhere above us. Looks like two people passed through here, heading downhill. Wright feels a twinge of anticipation, but tries not to get his hopes up. Earlier, one of his other teams found tracks that looked promising, only to realize they were left by other rescuers. Wright looks around the ski patrol office and sees Ralph Summers dozing on a couch nearby.

10:40Ralph, wake up! Together, Wright and Summers quiz the rescue worker on the exact location of the tracks. When Summers hears what direction the tracks are heading in, he claps his hands. That was our exact compass bearing. Those have to be the tracks Molly and me left. Team 7, follow those tracks uphill and report back the second you find anything. Wright, Summers, and the other base operations staff hover closely around the radio. Wright feels certain this is the breakthrough they've been waiting for. Ten minutes pass, then 30. Finally, the radio crackles to life again. Base, this is Team 7. We're at 7 ,700 feet, and the tracks have disappeared.

11:26Over. Wright can sense the energy draining from the room. This was the first tangible lead of the entire rescue effort, and now it's gone. He taps the handset against his forehead a few times, gathering himself, then radios back. Understood, Team 7. Continue your ascent along the last known heading of those tracks. We'll just have to hope for the best. Wright turns to look at Summers, but the climbing consultant won't make eye contact. Wright can only imagine how gutted he must feel. He knows Summers feels a sense of responsibility for the missing climbers and wishes he could do more to help find them.

12:09But right now, they need him to rest up. After sunrise, they'll send Summers back up in another helicopter, hoping that this time he can retrace his route and lead them to the snow cave.

12:28Rick Harder bounces his leg up and down as he sits in the back of a military helicopter, filled with rescue personnel. He looks at his watch. It's 5.50 a.m. That means that the search for the missing climbers has entered its 23rd hour, and Harder believes that this will be its final hour after all the dead ends, false leads, and forced retreats. Finally, they've found something. Harder was at base operations when a Portland Mountain Rescue Team announced that they'd spotted what appeared to be a red sleeping bag near the eastern rim of White River Canyon. Now, Harder is bringing Ralph Summers and a rescue team up to the canyon for a closer look.

13:13As Harder stares out his window at the canyon below, he is amazed at how clearly he can see the contours of White River Glacier. The frozen river of ice that carved this canyon over thousands of years gleams in the morning sun. The storm that trapped the climbing party has finally lifted, and he can see every inch of the mountainside with stunning clarity. As the helicopter ascends, Harder spots something in the snow. Instantly, he knows it's not a sleeping bag. He looks at one of his fellow rescuers, an Air Force Master Sergeant named Charlie Eck. Charlie, are you seeing what I'm seeing? I'm afraid so, Rick.

13:59And look, just over there, another one. Harder sees the second object, then picks up the walkie-talkie next to him. Base operations, come in. This is Harder. Over. We hear you loud and clear, Rick. You see anything up there? Over. Harder thinks about what he should say next. He knows this is an open channel, and he can't be sure who else is listening in. He has to choose his words carefully. We have a visual on two possible survivors. We're going to land and get a closer look. Harder lowers the walkie-talkie. His use of the word survivors was deliberate. He didn't want to say anything that could cause alarm back at base operations.

14:44But as the helicopter descends, Harder knows that if the objects they've spotted are people, then it's highly unlikely either one of them has survived.

15:00Frank McGinnis pushes open the door that leads to the Timberline Resort parking lot. The muscles in his face tense as he sees the chaos unfolding in front of him. Rescue workers in olive green uniforms run back and forth with medical bags. Journalists crowd around sheriff's deputies and shout frantic questions. It's not quite 6.15 in the morning, and clearly something significant has happened. He sees a small group of people gathered around a parked Chevy Impala. The driver's side door is open, and a man in a suit sits behind the wheel. Frank approaches an elderly man standing nearby. He's the grandfather of one of the missing climbers.

15:45Frank nods at the Impala. What's going on? The guy in the car is a reporter. He's got a radio that can tune into the rescue workers' frequencies. It sounds like they finally found something up there, but we don't know what. The reporter shouts from inside his car. Everyone be quiet. I'm getting something. We've reached one of the victims. We... Suddenly, the radio goes dead. Frank approaches the reporter. What happened? They switched to a military channel. I can't pick up what they're saying anymore. Frank purses his lips and runs his hand along the side of his face. He recalls his army experience and knows this is a terrible sign.

16:29If the rescuers switch to a military channel, it means they want to talk about something that they're afraid to discuss openly. It could mean that instead of survivors, they've found bodies. Frank's stomach clenches again with the thought that one of those bodies could be his son.

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18:02Rick Carter stands and looks down at a teenager curled up in the fetal position in the snow. A second teenager lies just a few yards away. His colleagues have checked both victims and confirmed it. No breathing. No pulse. A thin layer of ice covers their faces. These were someone's beautiful children. Now, they're gone. Harder's radio chirps. It's the pilot of a second helicopter that's searching farther up the canyon. Be advised, we've spotted another object that appears to be one of the climbers. Estimated elevation, 8 ,200 feet. No sign of movement. Harder closes his eyes and sighs. That's three.

18:53But that leaves eight climbers that could still be alive. A rescue worker approaches. Harder doesn't recognize him, so he blocks his path. I don't want anyone disturbing the bodies. You're absolutely sure they're dead? I'm sure. Tell your team to keep searching the eastern rim of the canyon above this spot. We can't help these kids, but there's still a chance we'll find survivors in the snow cave. The rescuer looks skeptical, and Harder understands why. It's not really his place to be issuing orders. He's not officially in charge up here. But right now, everyone else looks too stunned to act. They're all milling around like the search is over.

19:40Harder calls out, There's eight more people on this mountain, and they could still be alive. Let's keep looking. The other rescue workers start heading back up the slope to resume their search. Harder pulls out his Air Force radio and switches to a military channel. Harder to base. Someone alert the sheriff's department. We're bringing down three deltas. It's a transmission harder hoped he wouldn't have to make. Delta is a code word for deceased.

20:16Frank McGinnis walks through the doorway that leads to the cafeteria inside the Timberline Resort Ski Lodge. There, standing around square wooden tables, are family, friends, and staff from Oregon Episcopal School. Frank recognizes most of them. It's a bit after 8 a.m., and a search and rescue spokesman is supposed to arrive in a few minutes. It's been a long ordeal, but now Frank is feeling energized. Good news has spread that three survivors were recovered from Mount Hood. The search and rescue rep will update everyone on the survivors and overall progress of the rescue effort. Frank moves towards the back of the cafeteria, trying to contain his excitement.

21:01He believes he's just minutes away from seeing his son. The crowd suddenly goes quiet and Frank turns towards the door. A middle-aged man in a blue blazer walks to the front of the room and asks if he can have everyone's attention. Frank takes a step forward as all conversation in the cafeteria stops. The spokesman clears his throat. I have been authorized to deliver some news. You've probably heard that three survivors were recovered from the mountain. But I'm afraid there's been a miscommunication. The three people found did not survive. They are deceased. Frank covers his mouth with his hand as several people in the room cry out.

21:50Two parents just a few feet away from him stagger, then drop to the floor. Frank feels like he's about to collapse himself. He looks around the room for someone, anyone, who can assure him that none of the bodies found was Patrick.

22:15For what feels like the hundredth time, Ralph Summers buckles into the back of a military helicopter. It's 3.15 p.m. on Thursday, May 15th. It's been over 24 hours since the bodies of Eric Sandvik, Allison Litzenberger, and Aaron O 'Leary were recovered on Mount Hood, and over two days since Summers and Molly Shula left the snow cave to get help. But somehow, in all that time, rescue workers still haven't been able to locate the climbers that remain missing. As the helicopter lifts off, Summers can feel the eyes of the rescue team on him. Rick Harder's expression is especially intense. Summers feels like Harder and the other rescuers blame him for his failure to remember the exact route he and Molly took from the cave.

23:08He knows they've been constantly questioning why the climbing party didn't have an altimeter, so they could know the exact elevation to search. Summers takes a deep breath and then exhales. All he can do is try to focus and try one more time to spot something, anything, that will help them find the snow cave. As they pass above 8 ,000 feet, Summers peers down at a section of White River Glacier. They must have flown over this exact spot at least half a dozen times. and yet, for some reason, this time, the landscape of snowdrifts and rocks looks somehow familiar. Summers calls out to the pilot.

23:52Hey, I recognize something. Can you land? Are you sure? Summers hesitates. As usual, he's not sure, but something in his gut tells him he has to stand firm. Yes, I'm sure. The pilot circles until he finds a level patch of snow, then starts a slow, careful descent. Summers hears Harder's voice over his headset. Remember, Ralph, you only need to be right once. The helicopter lands and Summers exits with Harder and his rescue team. He looks around and points. There, to the east. I remember that ridge line. Harder gets on his radio and relays their coordinates to base operations. I need every team on White River Glacier to head to our location.

24:38Right now. Ralph thinks we're close. Then he nods to Summers. Okay, Ralph. You're up. Summers starts walking with Harder's team right behind him. Up close, the landscape looks even more familiar. For the first time in three days, Summers finally feels like he's heading in the right direction.