Cooper Spur, Ore. – One of three stranded climbers lost somewhere amid ice, billowing snow and gale-force winds on Mount Hood has been turning his cellphone off and on, authorities said Thursday, raising hopes for his rescue.
T-Mobile received a signal from Kelly James’ cellphone late Tuesday night, indicating it was back on, after it had been off.
The sequence of signals suggested James, 48, of Dallas may have been turning his cell phone off to conserve battery power.
“My heart was in my throat when I heard that, because if it’s true it means Kelly is alive, and he has his wits about him,” his brother, Frank James of Orlando, Fla., said.
T-Mobile also reported that the cellphone initiated a call Monday morning.
The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office said T-Mobile continued to signal, or “ping,” the cellphone Wednesday, but received no response.
Rescue workers confronted stormy weather on the mountain again Thursday and said they would be searching lower elevations in hopes that James’ two companions, Brian Hall of Dallas and Jerry “Nikko” Cooke of New York, had gotten down from near the top of the mountain, where James was believed holed up in a snow cave.
The three set out a week ago for a two-day climb to the summit.
Kelly James’ wife, Karen, said the families of the three men remained confident.
“These are three of the most phenomenal men you could ever meet. They’re smart, they are strong and they care so deeply for one another,” she said.
“My husband proposed to me on Mount Rainier, and we’re planning our 50th wedding anniversary there, so I know he is coming off this mountain.”
