They left the trailhead as they had countless times before, full of anticipation and trust in each other’s skill. Mount Hooker, remote and unforgiving, was exactly the kind of challenge that had always drawn them closer. Days later, when they did not return, that same remoteness became a nightmare. Helicopters circled, dog teams tracked, rescuers scoured ledges and crevasses, but the mountain yielded nothing—no equipment, no clothing, no sign of struggle or shelter.
