CDT Hiker Missing- Found!

[Sly]

I'm just going to post the contents of the emails... and his Trailjournals page. To be honest, knowing the area with the time elasped, it doesn't look good.

--------------------------------------------

http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=164013


Wow, that's scary. I personally skipped half of the
Gila route due to snow/rain. I'm copying this email
to the CDT-L. Hopefully, some of the 2007 hikers
could chime in with suggestions.

yogi
www.pcthandbook.com


--- Donna and Rob Mabry <dandrmabry at yahoo dot com> wrote:

> Hi Yogi:
>
> I am writing to get some input from you regarding
> terrain, routes, etc. Wildcat (AT '04, PCT '05) has been
> hiking the CDT this year and I thought he would be
> finishing up before now. He went back to Tennessee
> for Thanksgiving (Left from Grants, NM) and got back
> on the trail 11/28. He last talked to his wife on
> the phone "in person" on Dec 3, then he left her a
> voice mail on Dec 8 saying he was on Hwy 28, north
> of Snow Lake. He was going to call her when he got
> to Doc Campbell's, and to pick up his packages by
> Dec 11. He has not shown up there yet. Becky
> (Wildcat's wife) e-mailed One Gallon and he called
> her back, saying HE was at Doc Campbell's on Dec 11
> (?!) and Bert did not pick up his things.
>
> I e-mailed Nitro and Hawkeye, two hikers that did
> the CDT this year to ask them about the
> trail/terrain/phone access, etc. and neither one
> painted a very pretty picture as far as the spot
> where Bert is right now -- if he decided to stay
> dry, it's a long, confusing route. If he did take
> the Gila river route, he'd be wet A LOT and it is
> very cold here right now. We just got a storm
> through Alamosa last week that came from the south.
> I am guessing from reading other trail journals
> about that section that he is at about 7-8,000 feet
> in elevation.
>
> I suppose I am asking you if you have some "best
> guess" where he may be. I am ready to get in my car
> and drive down there. We're about 7-ish hours away,
> I'd say. Becky HAS called the authorities there --
> the NM police and the Forest Service.
>
> I hope you are well; we are good here. COLD,
> though. It was -12 degrees this a.m.
>
> Donna Mabry
>

[doggiebag]

This guy has a lot of trail miles under his belt. He's 6 days overdue in rough terrain and sub zero conditions. If he has enough rations to stretch out. He may be bunkered down somewhere waiting for the weather to break. I hope that is all.

[Sly]

This guy has a lot of trail miles under his belt. He's 6 days overdue in rough terrain and sub zero conditions. If he has enough rations to stretch out. He may be bunkered down somewhere waiting for the weather to break. I hope that is all.

It's only 20-40 miles (I don't have my book) from where he was last heard from to Doc Campbells. 20-40 miles and 150 fords depending on which route he took.

[MOWGLI]

It's only 20-40 (I don't have my book) miles from where he was last heard to Doc Campbells. 20-40 miles and 150 fords depending on which route he took.

Damn! 150 fords! Lets hope a trail angel is looking over him.

[wrongway_08]

I hope he is bunkered down, seems like he has a lot of miles. Hope the family finds him safe and warm in a snow cave.

[wrongway_08]

20 - 40 miles could take a lot longer then 6 days if the weather is that bad, taking in account the water crossings. Really hope he is okay.

[_terrapin_]

Post removed

[ARambler]

I met Bert at Rt 60, Buena Vista in 2004. He was with his son, who was section hiking. I had been following him in the sheleter registers because he left good notes and because he was from Maryville, TN our historical family home.
I will pray for him.
Rambler

[doggiebag]

My bet is he avoided the "wet" route. Doing 150 fords in sub-zero is a death sentence. No way will this guy risk getting wet even once in those temperatures.

[Sly]

Damn! 150 fords! Lets hope a trail angel is looking over him.

There's at least three ways in this area. The official route along the divide in Black Mountains (dry) that not too may take. The recommended (CDTS) Middle Folk of the Gila with the 150 fords, and a road walk.

I know I'll change my route on a whim depending on a number of factors. The search isn't going to be easy.

[dessertrat]

It seeems likely that he sprained or broke something. It is probably time to send out searchers, but I would not at all presume that "the worst" has happened to him at this point in time.

[MOWGLI]

As the moderator of this forum, I'd like to kindly ask folks to be respectful with your comments. This guy's family deserves no less.

[doggiebag]

I looked at his gear list on TJ. He's outfitted well. How is the availability of fire wood on the highwater route?

[Sly]

Here's a Mapquest map of the area. If you zoom out to level 5, he'd be south of Pie Town to Silver City. I forget just where Highway 28 is...

http://tinyurl.com/3427ys

[dixicritter]

We know Wildcat too, oh my gosh, I'm speechless here. Praying hard for him and his family right now!

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

I just realized who this missing hiker is - Dino has tears and a big lump in throat. Prayers, prayers and prayers for him and his family. We are local to his family -- if there is anything we can do, don't hesitate to ask.

[Mags]

I know when I went through last year, it was tempting to NOT do the middle fork Gila route because of all the fords. And that was in mid-late October.

Being cold and and wet is no fun. My gut feeling is that f he took the alternate Forest Service route along the roads; the maps most thru-hikers have do not really have the route too well (Ley Maps, gazeteers, maybe BLM maps). Easy to get a little lost.

I hope all is well.

[SGT Rock]

Lord I hope he is hunkered down somewhere. Bert is a tough hiker but also a really smart guy - not the kid to take chances when he doesn't have to. He was on the last leg of a SOBO CDT which would finish his tripple crown. I gave him a stove at Little River Outfitters just last month so he could make his fuel supply last longer on that stretch.

I'm going to hope for the best - I know his family has to be bad worried. I reckon today I'll go by Little River and talk to Jodie to see what is up.

[Cuffs]

Does anyone know if an "official" search has begun or are they thinking of his experience and letting go for a few more days?

[SGT Rock]

Nothing in Google news about it. I'm thinking of taking off from work early and going to talk to some friends that may know more.

FWIW, Bert was talking about a section that was going to take him 8-10 days to cover - that is why I gave him an Ion to try because he didn't think he could make that stretch with his current stove given his cooking style. Last time he was heard from was the 8th, so that would make today 9 days from there - so I am hoping that this is the section he was talking about and that it is just taking him a little longer to get through it because of weather.