Video: Tragedy on Mount Hood

The rescue for three Mount Hood climbers, who have been missing since Friday, took a tragic turn Saturday. The body of Luke Gullberg, 26, was found high on the mountain, at about the 9,000 foot level. From photos found on a digital camera, it is believed that the climbers reached at least the 10,000 foot mark (Mount Hood’s summit is 11,240 feet).

The search continues for the two other missing climbers, Katie Nolan and Anthony Vietti, but has been limited by avalanche conditions. Several aircraft, including one with thermal imaging capabilities, are joining in on what is still considered a rescue effort at this point.

“This is still called a rescue operation, at least for a couple days,” meaning authorities hold out hope of finding the hikers alive in the freezing conditions. “We have reason to believe one of the two missing hikers has a bivvy sack, kind of like a lightweight sleeping bag. The female hiker is fairly well prepared for this climb — she did have some stuff to warm up with.”

- CNN.com

Our thoughts go out to the friends and family of Luke, and we can only hope for a happier ending as the search continues this week.