It appears that the appropriate Mountaineering experts have gained as much information as they can from the pictures already. This information will assist then in understanding the contributing factors to the accident, and disseminating the information within the climbing community. Beyond that, I believe the pictures should remain private for as long as the family chooses.

Yes, I would be interested as well to see these pictures. I do feel it is important for those of us who have watched and grieved over these wonderful men who made the climb to be given that option. I feel so closely to these men and their families and have watched every moment on the news and net and cried endlessly since the news of Kelly and can't seem to get it out of my mind. It seems to be haunting me day after day. This would provide some closure for me I believe. GOD SPEED KELLY, NIKKO, and BRIAN. I know you guys had a great climb, but I wished you could have come back down.

As an Oregon resident, I see a misconception that should be cleared up. Locator beacons would not have helped, All last week the weather on the mountain prevented rescusers from getting above 8,000 ft. and the cell company had already provided a location for the last cell call. During the first week of the search we had 100 mph winds in the valley, snow and freezing rain. The conditions on the mountain were much worse, 100+ mph winds 15 feet of snow and zero visibility, so even if they had an exact location of the snow cave rescuers could not have reached it. There is no blame here, 3 men made a choice, the weather closed in on them, the searchers put out a supreme effort but regretable the outcome was not happy.

The use of a beacon is like the use of a seatbelt or a life jacket. It doesn’t guarantee 100% safety, but it sure increases your chances of surviving the worse. I don’t have a problem at all using tax payers’ funds to pay for search efforts like this. On the other hand, safety precautions such as a beacon, getting a permit, and other features that can assist you and those searching for you are appropriate. And it goes without saying, once public resources are used without a reimbursement clause, then the imposition of laws and regulations in the interest of safety are fair game.

If our tax dollars should not be spent rescuing men who climbed a mountain in the winter because it was dangerous, then we should not have spent billions rescuing people in New Orleans who didn't leave when they were told a hurricane was coming. That city sits below sea level so it was inevitable that it would someday be flooded, yet people CHOSE to live there anyway. Since they took the risk of being washed away, should we have turned our backs and said, "Don't spend my tax dollars lifting them off their roofs. They knew the risk of living in a flood prone area."

If your priorities are such that your almighty tax dollar is more important to you than a human life, then I pray you and everyone you love never finds yourselves in a situation where you need help. Think about how you will explain to God why you thought saving money was more important than saving a human life.

Godspeed Kelly, Nikko, and Brian. May God comfort your families.now and forever.

You don't get to enjoy the use of public monies for the search effort, use the media to further your cause and concern, and then decide to keep the pictures private. Private would've meant that the families would go up on the mountain and look themselves. They lost private when they invoked the media.

YOU KNOW PEOPLE! WHAT IF IT WAS YOUR SISTER BOTHER OR CHILD ON THAT MOUTAIN WOULD'NT YOU LIKE TO FIND THEM NO MATTER WHAT. I KNOW I WOULD DEAD OR ALIVE. PEOPLE ARE SO ABOUT THEM SELFS OR ABOUT MONEY IT MAKES ME SICK! WHAT IF IT WAS YOU THAT WAS ON THAT MOUTAIN AND THEY LEFT YOU THEIR AND YOU WAS STILL ALIVE BUT THEY GAVE UP ON YOU. I WOULD NOT LIKE TO DIE THAT WAY.I ALSO WAS READING SOMETHING ABOUT THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER WELL NO ONE IS PERFECT WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES. SO LETS ALL WRITE AND TELL THEM TO KEEP LOOKING PLEASE.OH AND FOR THOSE NOSEY PEOPLE THAT WANTS TO SEE THE PICTURES ITS NOT IMPORTAIN LEAVE IT ALONE AND BE SO NOSEY. (TAKE DOGS UP THEIR TO FIND THEM AND DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!!

Many of you are missing what this life is truly all about. This is the Christmas season and these families will be without a father, husband or son. What a terrible sadness of all of them. I feel like I know these incredible men, watching the events that unfolded. And I grieve with these families,remebering the loss of some of my family in another personal accident. The photos are the only thing left of the life that these men loved. Treasures for the families. Keep them private.
As for the money that was spent on the search, I am proud to say I contributed to that cause as a tax payer. Are we not our brother's keeper?

I wish the family would reconsider and share the pictures with the country. I have watched this news story from day one. I have prayed and prayed every day for the safe return of these fine men. My heart sank when James was discovered passed away in that cave. My heart sank even deeper when I learned the search has been called off. I had such hope . I have mourned the loss of these men. I feel that those of us that this tragedy has touched need some closure. I feel seeing the pictures would accomplish that for some of us. I would like to remember their smiling faces ( by seeing the pics) and not the images that I have conjured up in my head. The families don't have to share them but the families chose their loved ones life with us everyday on t.v. some of us need closure!

They belong to the family! When is the media going to wake up and report true news events? Let these men live or die in peace. Why ask the family for what is obviously theirs? If they have perished, leave the families alone. As a society we have the obligation to assist in their rescue/recovery, that obligation however does not give us the right to exploit their grief by using these photos for some sort of gain. We have been in these families lives to help, now let's leave them alone to grieve for their losses. Anything they share with us after should be at their discretion.

I think what caught our attention was that Brian Hall had gone to school in Rapid City, SD (our home area). When we heard that he and friends were lost on Mount Hood, we began to keep track of the search and to pray for them. I don't think any of us can imagine this experience, unless having had a similar climbing experience. Those people that climb and that have shared their experiences have helped us understand what we had no prior knowledge of and that is the 'passion' for climbing. We have appreciated that information. The most startling comments we have read and heard are from people that are looking for 'a blame' or a reason to complain about the 'expense'. There is no blame. Most certainly there will be financial cost. Yet, as learned from other serious events, this has has pulled many strangers, family, and friends together. We will continue to think of and pray for all three of these 'friends' and the many people in their lives.

A subpoena should be issued by the government for these photos. They are obviously public domain--where are the attorneys! These pictures became public domain when the rescue operation began. We all have a right to see them.

Why did the family of james did not call for help after receiving the call right away.And why have search dogs not been used for rescue. I wonder if they will ever find the other two missin,dead or alive .

I have not read every comment because most were disheartening. What has happened to our unity and our oneness after 9/11? I would bet that there is not one above who personally knew these men but does that make them any less important. Obviously they were important enough for those writers to express their opinions. My prayers are with the loved ones left behind...I am saddened that there are not more simplistic comments of hope, encouragement or sadness for the family. Why all the gnashing of teeth of who, what why & when? It happened and the world is a little less bright because three are gone.

Hi to all reading this comment...I have been watching and blogging with all of the rest of you. There have been many comments full of prayers and good wishers and there were also the nay sayers,,,i,e, "why are we wasting our time on searching for 3 boys who were just up to having a good time"
Here is my take on it...Yes indeed they were...indulgent men living their dream.
So be it, As an artist I can relate to that passion.
If they died, so be it too... they at least werent sitting like sluggs on their couch eating Mc Donalds
Hamburgers..like most Americans of late. Sometimes our passions take us away. As far as the "GOD" part of this, seems so many people are so committed to the "CHURCH" or "BORN AGAIN". I would like to interject my opinion...Prayer is good, but it is not "GOD". "GOD" to me is more the native american way...live and let live, live and let die...nature can be serene and babies in the field with wild flowers... and nature can be wicked and strong.
Nothing is ever really out of place. I prayed for these men on the mountain and I am sure Milions prayed...but they are all dead. ARGGHHH...Where is our "God"? "God" is LOVE and "Jesus" is LOVE and it is right there in our hearts. Simple. Love transcends and mutates from one thing to the next. like the wind.If one wishes to participate in an organized religion,,,fine,,,just realize that LOVE is universal...not just confined to those who believe in "what you believe in" When we can all realize how simple it is, gosh,we will have solved most of the problems on this once kind earth,
Visit my Ebay vintage painting of Mt.Hood that I am offering the proceeds to the Hoodland District Rescue as a donation. Ebay # 300061572688 Thanks and Blessings to you.

Regarding making in mandatory to carry a beacon:

Carrying a beacon is like getting a permit - it gives people a false sense of security. They think that because the registered it must be safe. and they think that because they have a beacon they will be rescued.

These guys knew what they were doing. Obviously something went wrong but we don't know what. So don't judge. climbing it in the winter like they did is not out of the ordinary for experienced climbers. By going light on supplies you actually increase your odds of survival. Speed is saftey in the big mountains.

It is truely unfortunate what happened. These guys were not weekend warriors and did not do anything irresponsible.

people complain how many taxpayers dollars it cost for the search of the 3 climbers. I wonder how they would feel if it was their husband or brother they were searching for. The way the government spends taxpayers dollars foolishly, a search for 3 climbers is no comparison. You cannot put a price on a human life.
As for the pictures, that is the families decision. If and when they are allowed to be viewed by the public is the decision of the families.period. Leave them alone and let them grieve in peace.

I personally feel that our tax dollars were not put to waste here. If we can use our tax dollars for feeding clothing and housing illigal aliens then to use the tax for wht it was intende for is not a mistake. My heart goes out to the families whohave lost loved ones and i pray every day that one or both remaining men will some how return from the mountain. If the families choose to keep the only remain photes of their loved ones private then they have that right. One day someone will probably make a movie of what has happened. Hopefully the people who choose this sport will learn that you should never take anything for granted and always be prepared for anything.

"To be or not to be." That is the question that rings with irony on Mt. Hood.

With tax dollars being spent to research things such as the mating habits of the(insert your favorite wild animal here), you get the picture, why complain about mankind helping mankind. Also I believe when it is your time to die you will die! Could be driving down the highway, eating breakfast, sitting at your desk, etc,...People quit whining about the pictures! You have absolutely no right to see them! They are the property of the families of the victims. Also people without type A personalities do not understand climbing mountains and other risk taking types of adventure. Look around you type A's are everywhere: Police, Fire/Emergency squads, Military, thank God for them.

I am a resident of Parkdale, Oregon. My home is at 1200-ft. elevation at the base of Mt. Hood, just minutes away from Cooper Spur, where the three climbers departed from as they set out to climb Mt. Hood's north face.
I look out at the mountain each morning as the coffee brews. Some days I marvel at how majestic it appears; other days I almost take it for granted. The mountain is a part of life for those of us who dwell here.
Living so close to the mountain made the search effort feel very personal to me. I heard the Blackhawk helicopters overhead and watched the news trucks swarm our small community. I saw the face our our local sheriff grow gaunt with worry from the long hours and exhaustive search efforts. Like so many others, I prayed for the safe return of the climbers and of all those involved in their rescue. And like others, I was saddened by the outcome.
Still, it wasn't my personal tragedy. Those men were strangers to me. Their families, too. The fact that the media stayed up-to-the-minute with news reports of the rescue effort and press conferences held by the family doesn't mean I knew them. It certainly doesn't make me "entitled" to view the photos developed from Kelly James' camera -- the last photos of the three climbers alive on the mountain.
The story's over. The two remaining climbers are presumed dead, and life goes on. Now perhaps the media can move on to the next tragedy and the families of the climbers can grieve outside the glare of TV cameras. I hope the families keep those photos to themselves forever.

I remember the tragedy that took place on May 12 1986 where 9 people died (2 adults and 7 students). I worked at a bank, and a favorite customer came in and stopped at my window. It was the father of one of the students. He was on his way up to Mt Hood. It was the day after the news broke about the students from Oregon Episcapol being lost up there. To this day, I remember his face, his worry, my heart ached for him.
I never saw him again after that day. His son, 16 years old, was one of the students that died up there.
It took me a long time to shake that feeling of terrible sadness. I live in Portland, Oregon (born and raised here) I see St Helens almost every day when I head north on 205, then I have to head east on I-84, and I see Mt Hood..
I now have that very sinking sad feeling every time I look at Mt Hood again.. just like I did back in 1986. It was also strange for the skies were so clear yesterday, on my late afternoon every day drive. I see St Helens blowing off her white puffy plumes (not nearly like what I saw back in May 1980) And I see beautiful Mt Hood as I head east and deeply saddened and still filled with hope for if they could at least find the last two climbers. As I was waiting at a light just off the highway, other cars facing east nearby, I saw many faces also looking to Mt Hood.
I would have like to see the climbers pictures. To see their smiles, to see what they saw on their trip. I know it would bring me a smile, but also tears as well. I can only imagine what it would bring to the climbers families.
There is a part of me that is glad that the pictures are NOT shown because I KNOW there would be people out there nit picking at the pictures and claiming it proof as to why they perished. Or shows like Nancy Grace comes to mind that would delve into those pictures. These men had 25 years experience, they planned this as a quick up and down trip ONLY, and the weather at the time they went up was great for it. Mt Hood is beautiful, but she can surely be deadly especially if you are caught up there in one of those surprise storms.
My prayers to the families and friends of the climbers. It's got to be extra hard on them right now with the holidays. God bless the climbers and their families.

I find it amazing that people can write about something they have very little knowledge about. Half of these posts have incorrect information, i.e. hundreds of thousands of dollars for rescue efforts and dead of winter comments. I guarantee these climbers did not make a stupid mistake either before the climb or during. These guys were experienced and competent. I've climbed Hood numerous times and have seen folks with flip flops on. Save your stupidity comments for those folks please. Climbing mountains is a risk, driving your car is a risk, walking on the sidewalk is a risk. How about you worry about yourself as you eat your junk food and keep adding fat to your body. That's a bigger risk than climbing a mountain. Obesity is much more expensive than a mountain rescue.
Please do not release the pictures.

As far as it not even being winter yet - you are right. Dead of winter lies ahead for Oregonians, but the cost of this frutile and pointless "rescue" means that this particular Oregon county's "rescue" coffers have been emptied for the rest of the "winter" season by these elite, foolish out of staters. Hmm - now that is not just a self-righteous opinion, that is a fact that will unfortunately have to be explained to the next person needing these necessary services who perhaps did not negligently set out to do so but will nonetheless face a budget emptied by these reckless "elitists".

P.S. We've seen other pictures that have been posted and read all these stories. That's enough. Whatever the families desires, that's fine.