And 'Velvet' Was Her Name....
February 20, 2007Hooked
to a security line with three climbers, 'Velvet' plunged off the
side of icy ledge on Mt. Hood during a climb this past weekend.
'Velvet' is attributed to helping in the saving of the group, as
she gave her body warmth to the three climbers. "The dog
probably saved their lives" by keep them warm during the night,
Erik Brom, a member of the Portland Mountain Rescue team said. |
Read more on 'Velvet':
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According to Mount Search and
Rescue, the three climbers were not badly hurt. Found
shivering and cold as they huddled with 'Velvet' inside sleeping
bags and under a tarp, the hikers did 'everything right'
according to officials. One climber did have a mountain
locator unit which sends out signals for location purposes,
although it does not receive signals back. However, the
extreme weather conditions and winds blowing up to 70 mph made
the rescue effort treacherous at best.
The climbing mishap occurred at
around 8,300 feet in a party of eight climbers - all either
experienced rock or mountain climbers. The party set out
on Saturday (February 17, 2007), spent the night on the
mountain, then were on the return trip back Sunday when three of
their party and 'Velvet' disappeared over a ledge.
'Velvet' was clipped to the rope the trio of climbers were
using.
Calls were immediately made by
the remaining five via a cell phone for rescue. While
rescue efforts mobilized immediately, weather conditions
prevented rescue teams from saving them until Monday (February
19, 2007).
'Velvet', a four-year old Black
Labrador mix, is owned by Matty Bryant, one of the three
climbers. Minor cuts and abrasions on her back feet and legs
caused by prolonged exposure to the cold, but once rescued,
'Velvet' was treated and cleared to go home.
Mt. Hood is one of the most
frequently climbed mountains in the world, but In the past 25
years, more than 35 climbers have died on the 11,239-foot
mountain according to statistics and reports. |
1 - 2 - 3... A 'WOOF-WOOF' hurrah to Velvet!!!
