Weather an obstacle in Oregon search for climbers

Story Highlights

• NEW: Searchers no longer hear a signal from one missing climber's cell phone
• NEW: Weather keeps search for missing climbers below 7,000 feet
• One climber believed to be in a snow cave at 10,000 feet, out of rescuers' reach
• A new snowstorm is expected Thursday

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PORTLAND, Oregon (CNN) -- The families of three stranded climbers on Oregon's Mount Hood prayed for a break in the weather Wednesday as freezing rain, sleet and wind kept rescuers stuck at lower levels.

Another snowstorm was expected Thursday, with winds up to 75 mph.

Searchers can no longer hear a signal from the cell phone of one of the missing climbers, Kelly James, who is believed to be holed up at about 10,000 feet, said a spokesman for the Oregon Army National Guard. (Watch rescuers frustrated by high winds )

Capt. Chris Bernard of the 304th Rescue Squadron told reporters he didn't know when the signal stopped. A Florida company that specializes in tracking cell phones has sent people to the site to help, Bernard said.

James, 48, of Dallas, Texas, telephoned his family Sunday and told them he was in a snow cave not far from the summit.

His voice has not been heard since then. His cell phone company was able to pinpoint his location to within one-quarter mile.

The inclement weather has kept rescue teams from reaching the higher elevation. At nearly 11,240 feet high, Mount Hood is Oregon's highest mountain.

"We realize we have a ceiling of about 7,000 feet with the weather and conditions," Bernard said. "Man and machine have their limits."

Searchers planned to focus on lower elevations, where the other two men may be located, Bernard said.

Searchers are covering two sides of the volcanic mountain, and if the weather improves, they plan to go higher, he said.

The decision to stay at lower altitudes was made after a strategy session Tuesday night, Bernard said.

Gerry Tiffany from the Hood River County Sheriff's Office said a military helicopter flew to about 6,000 feet Tuesday -- the altitude where searchers have their base camp -- but was hampered by wind and poor visibility. Visibility Wednesday was about one mile.

Searchers have been able to climb to nearly 9,000 feet before having to turn back.

"We're not expecting another break in the weather until the weekend," Tiffany said.

Asked how long the men could survive, Tiffany said, "If they have the ability to heat some water, stay warm and dry, yes, they can do it. They can last quite a few days." (Watch why the route the climbers chose is so challenging )

The 21 searchers, who were to be joined by a team from Eugene, Oregon, received unmanned, heat-seeking equipment Wednesday from Colorado that might be able to detect heat from the men's bodies. A Florida company donated unmanned aerial vehicles.

The U.S. military also was providing all-terrain vehicles, Bernard said.

In his phone call Sunday, James said his companions -- Brian Hall, 37, also of Dallas, and Jerry "Nikko" Cooke, 36, of Brooklyn, New York -- had gone ahead.

"We don't know if he's injured or not. That's a presumption." Frank James said of his brother on Tuesday. He said the three men are experienced climbers.

Frank James said the families of all three men were at Mount Hood, awaiting news. On behalf of them, he said, "We want to thank everyone who worked so tirelessly to rescue our family members." He added that they have "renewed hope" that the climbers will be found. (Watch missing climber's brother explain why families aren't giving up hope )

The men began their climb a week ago. They left a note in a parked car at the Cooper Spur Ski area.

In it, they said they planned to scale the north face and climb down the south side unless they ran into trouble. In that case, they would return the way they came. They expected to finish their climb Saturday.

"The families have remained strong," Frank James told reporters. "They are supporting each other and looking forward to welcoming Kelly, Brian and Nikko home again very, very soon."