View Full Version : N.Y. hiker finds local man dead on Appalachian Trail at Lehigh Gap
Just found this item this morning
http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1155098069286890.xml&coll=2
Update: Body Found on Appalachian Trail
Story posted on 2006-08-08 22:45:00
A body discovered on the Appalachian Trail in Lehigh Township in Northampton County earlier today is that of a 64-year-old Warner Allen of Orefield.
There's no word yet on the cause of death , but investigators are saying it doesn't look suspicioous.
We'll continue bringing you the latest on this story as soon as we get it.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
08-09-2006, 07:55
Prayers for the family and the hiker.
mweinstone
08-09-2006, 08:11
he was chasing his dog maby.and possibly fell.if this is the case it would make a strong case for leashes.i know blue mountain and its not cool to bushwack without proper boots.
Toolshed
08-09-2006, 08:27
Didn't see anything about it in this morning's paper - And I live in the Lehigh Valley!!!! Sheeesh.... Prayers to his loved ones.
I've once got in a little jam up there, bushwacking along the old closed route and had a few terryfiing moments before I finally got back down.
QHShowoman
08-09-2006, 09:18
I had to post this because it really is quite a story!
N.Y. hiker finds local man dead on Appalachian Trail at Lehigh Gap
Wednesday, August 09, 2006By KURT BRESSWEIN
The Express-Times
LEHIGH TWP. | A hiker discovered a North Whitehall Township man's body about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday along the Appalachian Trail on Blue Mountain.
The through-hiker from New York said he found the body of Warner Allen, 64, and the man's dog on the mountainside at Lehigh Gap east of Route 248. The hiker ran down to the state road and flagged down a motorist to dial 911.
Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek said the death is not suspicious and is being investigated as due to natural causes. Lysek said the body was there for only a short period of time.
Lehigh and Northampton county officials reached the body by noon. Initial emergency radio reports indicated the man had an unspecified weapon with him.
The body lay about 35 feet below the crest of an escarpment at the foot of a steep rock face. Loose boulders and stones, steep terrain and dense trees complicated emergency workers' efforts.
Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek arrived about 12:45 p.m. at a trail parking lot several hundred yards down the mountain from the body. He did not return telephone messages seeking information on his investigation.
Two visibly upset women and a man arrived between 1:30 and 2 p.m. to meet with authorities. They were unavailable for comment.
While heading to the scene about 11:30 a.m., a Northampton Regional Emergency Medical Services ambulance was struck by a Toyota Tacoma truck which then rolled over, police said.
The ambulance, driven by 47-year-old Walnutport resident Douglas Gernerd, was heading east on Lehigh Drive making a left into the Appalachian Trail parking lot, police said. The ambulance was passed by the Tacoma driven by Grant Kuntz, 52, of Bowmanstown, Pa. Police said the truck struck the EMS vehicle and then rolled over.
Kuntz was airlifted to St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill. Kuntz was listed in fair condition Tuesday night, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Authorities closed the trail to hikers throughout the afternoon. Lehigh Gap is known among Appalachian Trail hikers for its acres of barren mountainside caused by nearly a century of zinc smelting at Palmerton. Crossing the gap, caused by the Lehigh River, requires a steep descent and ascent.
The 2,174-mile Appalachian Trail runs from Spring Mountain, Ga., to Mount Katahdin, Maine. Its halfway point is Pine Grove Furnace State Park, about 30 miles southwest of Harrisburg.
Reporter Kurt Bresswein can be reached at 610-867-5000 or by e-mail at kbresswein@express-times.com.
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... I've once got in a little jam up there, bushwacking along the old closed route and had a few terryfiing moments before I finally got back down.
I guess we'll find out if he fell. The article isn't clear on that point. It's a steep climb, and there are a couple spots where a mis-step will send you 20' straight down onto rocks. The blue-blazed winter trail gets you to the top a lot more safely.
wilconow
08-09-2006, 10:29
I once went South from Lehigh Gap towards Outerbridge Shelter, but this guy was north (or, east) of the Gap, right? That's the real difficult section, right?
I once went South from Lehigh Gap towards Outerbridge Shelter, but this guy was north (or, east) of the Gap, right? That's the real difficult section, right?
The really steep climb / descent at Lehigh Gap is trail north of the Route 873 (?) bridge. NOBO climb, SOBO descent. Once you do the NOBO climb, you are on the ridge above Palmerton, which is the famous "moonwalk".
Cookerhiker
08-09-2006, 12:00
Maybe he had a heart attack if he was exerting himself going uphill beyond what his body normally could handle. Wouldn't be the first time. In any case, it's a sad event.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
08-09-2006, 12:11
The body lay about 35 feet below the crest of an escarpment at the foot of a steep rock face.Sounds like he fell off a steep rock face and landed 35' below. The question is what caused him to fall.
Holy crap. I just hicked that Sunday. Maybe I'll be a suspect. The question on what made him fall? Well Its pretty bad through there. I feel I'm in good shape and I was breathing heavy and holding on for dear life. He could have just slipped and fell. Too bad though. Its sad.
Skidsteer
08-09-2006, 18:19
Sounds like he fell off a steep rock face and landed 35' below. The question is what caused him to fall.
I keep waiting for Ridge to post and blame it on the dog. :D
neighbor dave
08-09-2006, 18:56
i know blue mountain and its not cool to bushwack without proper boots.
:-? just as an example;
i bushwhack almost exclusively, throughout new england,never use boots.
i use new balance trail runners without problem,even in the toughest of places. cliffy, femur eating, mossy, swampy, stick forests,thick young spruce, krummoltz, black spruce.:)
generoll
08-09-2006, 19:19
I keep waiting for Ridge to post and blame it on the dog. :D
Scroll up Skids, looks like someone already beat him to the punch.
Skidsteer
08-09-2006, 19:43
Scroll up Skids, looks like someone already beat him to the punch.
Crap. Scooped by Matthewski. :D
I never liked that section.
It's eerie because its so barren.
Lets hold the careless speculation at least for a day. The reason the article is unclear on this is because it's UNKNOWN at this time.
There will be plenty of time later for careless speculation.
Prayers for his family.
saimyoji
08-09-2006, 23:54
I never liked that section.
It's eerie because its so barren.
Hmmm...one of my favorites. Great views, great stealth sites, very nice breezes in the fall...fireworks in the summer. I agree it is unfortunate about the zinc thing, but its starting to make a comeback, thank you Dan Kunkle. :cool:
saimyoji
08-09-2006, 23:55
Hmmm...one of my favorites. Great views, great stealth sites, very nice breezes in the fall...fireworks in the summer. I agree it is unfortunate about the zinc thing, but its starting to make a comeback, thank you Dan Kunkle. :cool:
Let me qualify that the above positive remarks refer to the stretch getting closer to Little Gap where it is very grassy, lightly wooded.
OK here it is: "The dog pushed him off the cliff"
Skidsteer
08-10-2006, 07:39
OK here it is: "The dog pushed him off the cliff"
The universe is back in balance. :D
Frolicking Dinosaurs
08-10-2006, 09:07
Sorry if my post encouraged careless speculation - I'm waiting for the autopsy report to see if the coroner finds anything like cardiac enzymes were elevated (heart attack), bleeding was evident in the brain (stroke), paw prints on the victim's back, electrolyte imbalance (dehydration), ect.
Skidsteer
08-10-2006, 09:16
And I'm sorry for being flippant about death. Bad form and I apologize.
Maybe the Dog pushed him. It should be questioned at great length.
And I'm sorry for being flippant about death. Bad form and I apologize.
I think it was the killer rabbits... run away, run away!
Toolshed
08-11-2006, 10:15
Read this morning's Morning Call cover to cover including the LV section and still no additional information.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
08-11-2006, 11:19
This autopsy report likely will not be released until all of the lab work on the tissue samples is back - lab work that will show things like cradiac enzyme levels, electrolyte levels and if drugs or alcohol were present. Getting those test back can takes weeks or even months.
Rift Zone
08-11-2006, 11:40
Dog had nothing to do with the old man's death... But it was so distraught that it jumped out in front of the Tacoma making it hit the EMS unit.