SR71,
(And the idea that because they couldn't establish VHF comms with Ice Tower should have alerted them to the fact that there was rock between them and the antenna is completely unreasonable in my opinion. Even in Europe establishing VHF comms, where ground stations are as common as churches, can be a pain...and not because there is rock in the way.)
Different situation entirely, not only no VHF, but no TACAN and no return on McMurdo radar either, surely that should have started alarm bells ringing.