UPDATE: Five Climbers Located, Three Still Missing on Oregon's Mt. Hood

Three climbers fall, five others told to build a snow cave.

Photo Courtesy: Portland Mountain Rescue

(MT. HOOD) - 5:00 PM Update: Search and Rescue personnel have departed Timberline Lodge and traveling in a snow cat up the mountain.

It is estimated that this team of rescue personnel will arrive at their destination in approximately 2 hours, or less.

Rescue personnel have communicated with the 5 person climbing party and directed this group to stay at their present location, and build a snow cave.

The condition of the three who fell is not known at this time.

Currently search and rescue crews are battling whiteout conditions on the mountain.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating the search efforts along with help from the American Medical Response, Portland Mountain Rescue and Mountain Wave Communication Specialists.

This group has been advised to dig a snow cave and wait for rescue personnel to arrive who are coming to their aid.

When rescue personnel arrive on the scene, they will assess the situation, and attend to the immediate needs of the 5 climbers that are accounted for at this time.

Rescue personnel are concerned and aware of the 3 additional climbers who are not accounted for at this point in time.

Reportedly the 3 climbers had fallen over a ledge in the immediate area of this ongoing rescue.

These 3 climbers are not in communication with the additional 5 climbers who are requesting assistance and reporting this climbing mishap.

At noon time today, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office received word that a total of 8 climbers were in the area of Illumination Saddle.

For some unknown reason 3 of these climbers had fallen an undetermined distance.

The 3 climbers who have fallen are not visible, or in communication with the remaining members of the climbing party.

The remaining climbers remained at around 8,300 feet elevation on the Illumination Saddle area of Mount Hood.

It is reported that each member of this climbing party is equipped with an MLU, a mountain locater unit.

An electronic component utilized by mountaineers to enable rescuers to pinpoint your exact location if you find yourself in jeopardy.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is coordinating this search and rescue mission with American Medical Response, Portland Mountain Rescue and Mountain Wave Communication Specialists.

White out conditions are reported in the vicinity of this search and rescue targeted zone of activity on the mountain.

Clackamas County Communications has been in cell phone communications with the climbing party and this vital information is being relayed to the search and rescue coordinators assembling on the mountain.

The major unknown factor at this time pertains to the 3 climbers -- who are reported to have disappeared, and remain out of sight of the remaining climbing party.

There is no communication with the missing 3 climbers who have fallen in the area of Illumination Saddle, over a ledge.