With heroic rescue and recovery attempts at Mount Hood in the news today, this 2005 Popular Mechanics profile of a geek guy who does that cold, risky work as a volunteer is worth revisiting:
Mountaineer Steve Rollins figures he has worked nearly 100 rescues on the icy heights of Oregon's 11,239-ft. Mount Hood. He has dropped by rope from helicopters near the peak using night vision, slogged through whiteouts and climbed into crevasses. Between gigs, the 29-year-old holds down a computer job with Nike. But like the other members of Portland Mountain Rescue, his lifesaving work is pro bono: "You could offer me a paycheck, but it wouldn't make the job any more rewarding."
Reader comment:
Julie says,
Two famous US climbers are missing in China. "Renowned American climber Charlie Fowler and high-altitude mountaineer Christine Boskoff have gone missing in central-western China. The pair had been on expedition since the autumn, and had managed the first ascent of the oft-attempted Yala Peak in early October." They are trying to raise money for the search effort. Link
