One of the missing climbers on Mount Hood has been found dead in an ice cave on the mountain. The dead climber was identified as Kelly James, 48, of Dallas, Texas.

The gruesome find ends a week of hope and praying by the families of the climbers.

The other two climbers are speculated to have fell down a steep slope on the side of the mountain. Searchers are unable to search the side of mountain known as “the gullies” due to avalanche conditions in the area. However, the search will continue by air.

Authorities were able to zoom in on the area using cell phone signals from the distress call James made less than a week ago. There was also a rope laid out in a Y configuration which climbers often use to signal distress.

James’s body remains on the mountain overnight as conditions were too bad to move it.

The weather has been the biggest factor hampering the search for the climbers. Heavy snow had finally stopped as of Saturday but the wind continued to blow the fresh snow, severely limiting the visibility of searchers.

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