TOW
06-26-2005, 18:03
11:58 am
Update on missing friend
I’ve been putting off writing this mostly because it’s been hard to accept. As you know, early in May our friend went missing in the San Jacinto Mountains in California. Last Monday a member of his hiking group who has close ties with the search and rescue teams out there came to speak to John’s “work family”. She described the area where he was lost and the extent of the rescue efforts.
The terrain is quite rugged and even now there is still significant snow pack at that elevation; however the search and rescue teams are very familiar with the area. They know the places where people tend to lose the trail so those were searched first. They alerted all hikers on the trail both ways to look for John and posters are up all over the area. Hikers are very aware that it could be them missing next time and they look carefully as they hike. There were helicopter searches and teams with dogs. The sheriff’s department has also been treating this as a missing person case, as is standard procedure. They have monitored his credit card and there has been no activity. From this and other information they have basically eliminated the possibility that John left the trail to hitchhike around the bad area.
On May 3rd John was following a couple of hikers into a section of the Pacific Crest Trail that still had significant snow pack. He had been literally following in their footsteps since they were breaking trail. At some point, these hikers told John they were leaving the trail. They intended to skip this section at this time because the trail was too hard to follow with the snow pack. They were using a compass and map, they were experienced with this section of the trail and they were equipped with ice picks, serious hiker crampons and poles. John had none of this equipment, no compass and wasn’t very good with a map. Nevertheless, John apparently continued on. On May 4th a major winter storm blew in over the mountains, bringing more snow and sub-zero wind chill temperatures.
I haven’t been able to maintain any hope that John is still alive. I believe he died within a day or two after he was last seen. The search and rescue folks will continue to look for him in a less intense manner although they are funded to resume an intensive search should any new leads develop.
I also feel that John knew what he was doing when he decided to continue. He was not a novice hiker or stupid man. You would have to be both to take that kind of risk. I’ve since found out he was a cancer survivor. Perhaps he knew something he didn’t share. Although we will never know, I believe John walked into eternity of his own free will.
It may sound strange, but I find that comforting. I hated the thought that sheer bad luck or a malicious god snatched him away at the beginning of his great adventure. If it is as I believe then at least he chose his own fate.
He may be found as the snow pack melts further or it’s possible that his body won’t be found for a long time. The ravines that he could have fallen into are deep and hard to explore. I will post again if we hear anything. Thank you all for your concern and prayers.
.................................................. .................................................. ...this was retrieved from www.livejournals.com (http://www.livejournals.com) -HAZLESDAUGHTER
Update on missing friend
I’ve been putting off writing this mostly because it’s been hard to accept. As you know, early in May our friend went missing in the San Jacinto Mountains in California. Last Monday a member of his hiking group who has close ties with the search and rescue teams out there came to speak to John’s “work family”. She described the area where he was lost and the extent of the rescue efforts.
The terrain is quite rugged and even now there is still significant snow pack at that elevation; however the search and rescue teams are very familiar with the area. They know the places where people tend to lose the trail so those were searched first. They alerted all hikers on the trail both ways to look for John and posters are up all over the area. Hikers are very aware that it could be them missing next time and they look carefully as they hike. There were helicopter searches and teams with dogs. The sheriff’s department has also been treating this as a missing person case, as is standard procedure. They have monitored his credit card and there has been no activity. From this and other information they have basically eliminated the possibility that John left the trail to hitchhike around the bad area.
On May 3rd John was following a couple of hikers into a section of the Pacific Crest Trail that still had significant snow pack. He had been literally following in their footsteps since they were breaking trail. At some point, these hikers told John they were leaving the trail. They intended to skip this section at this time because the trail was too hard to follow with the snow pack. They were using a compass and map, they were experienced with this section of the trail and they were equipped with ice picks, serious hiker crampons and poles. John had none of this equipment, no compass and wasn’t very good with a map. Nevertheless, John apparently continued on. On May 4th a major winter storm blew in over the mountains, bringing more snow and sub-zero wind chill temperatures.
I haven’t been able to maintain any hope that John is still alive. I believe he died within a day or two after he was last seen. The search and rescue folks will continue to look for him in a less intense manner although they are funded to resume an intensive search should any new leads develop.
I also feel that John knew what he was doing when he decided to continue. He was not a novice hiker or stupid man. You would have to be both to take that kind of risk. I’ve since found out he was a cancer survivor. Perhaps he knew something he didn’t share. Although we will never know, I believe John walked into eternity of his own free will.
It may sound strange, but I find that comforting. I hated the thought that sheer bad luck or a malicious god snatched him away at the beginning of his great adventure. If it is as I believe then at least he chose his own fate.
He may be found as the snow pack melts further or it’s possible that his body won’t be found for a long time. The ravines that he could have fallen into are deep and hard to explore. I will post again if we hear anything. Thank you all for your concern and prayers.
.................................................. .................................................. ...this was retrieved from www.livejournals.com (http://www.livejournals.com) -HAZLESDAUGHTER