Body found in cave; 2 climbers missing

As of press time, the body had not been identified.
HOOD RIVER, Ore. (AP) -- On the brightest, most promising day of an anguished week of searching for three climbers missing on Oregon's highest peak, the disappointments came back to back.
Rescuers reached a snow cave near the 11,239-foot summit, where they hoped to find at least one of the climbers.
It was empty, save for some climbing gear. Hours later came more words nobody wanted to hear: One of the three had been found dead in a separate snow cave nearby.
The family members gathered in Hood River had expressed an unquenchable optimism that the experience and skills of the climbers and the dedication of the rescue workers would keep the three alive -- despite blizzards packing 100 mph gusts that repeatedly hit the mountain during the past week.
For one family -- authorities had not said which one late Sunday -- the waiting was over. For the other two it continued, as searchers vowed to continue looking for the other climbers.
Dwight Hall, father of climber Brian Hall, told reporters hours earlier that relatives of the three were going through a "roller coaster of emotions."
Friends and family members of the missing climbers had put their hands on one of two Blackhawk helicopters preparing to join the search and prayed.
Frank James, brother of missing climber Kelly James, 48, of Dallas, said of the helicopter pilots: "We're the cheerleaders for these guys."
Somber mood
The mood was far more somber after discovery of the body.
"Our hearts are going out to the families right now," said Capt. Mike Braibish, spokesman for the Oregon National Guard. He said the families had been told there was a fatality but that the victim had not been identified.
The body was left on the mountain overnight because of darkness.
Braibish said rescuers came off the mountain Sunday evening to review the information they had before planning for today.
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