Missing hiker search July 19

[Perry]

Assuming the newspaper write-up is accurate, I don't understand why they called off the search at night. The foot-path ("trail") is not technical when there's no ice, and there are some powerful headlamps available at climbing/hiking stores.

[Marknhj]

KMIR TV news reported two bodies found on trails west of downtown. -Florian

Confirmed. They found two bodies in close proximity to each other. The article says close to where Baristo Road hits the mountain. If I'm reading this properly, that implies they went off trail between the cairn near the picnic tables and the Ramon trailhead:

http://www.mydesert.com/article/2009071 ... lm-Springs

[Al Bouche]

I was on the Ramon trail yesterday around noon - normally there are no cars parked at the trail head during the heat of the day so I was very surprised to see a vehicle with Colorado plates sitting there. I was just going to go up to 2600' but the bottoms of my feet were starting to burn so I turned around just after the BLM Bighorn sign. On the way down (between the two signs) I thought I heard a human voice - it just sounded like "Uh" - I stopped to listen but I didn't hear anything more and I honestly thought I was starting to have heat related issues because I was slipping and stumbling on easy terrain - I was convinced that it was just my imagination or a sound coming from the town below. It really has me worried that I may have been able to help but didn't think anyone else would be up there in those conditions.

[Perry]

Al, you don't need to feel bad because many things are false alarms and you were probably delirious at the time. Now, if you clearly see someone in trouble or hear someone calling for help, that's a different philosophical scenario. I would have yelled, "Hello!" but that may or may not have made a difference. Hard to say.

[Florian]

I thought I heard a human voice - it just sounded like "Uh" .

I sometimes hear what i think is a human voice while hiking the local desert trails too. Even under nice cooler conditions. I'll stop and listen and usually determine it's a bee or some other insect. If by chance you did hear someone in trouble don't feel bad for not finding them. It's good you notice things like that and would have helped if you could.

PS: I like Perry's suggestion to call back "hello" just in case. I never do that but i will in the future.

-Florian

[Al Bouche]

Thanks. I hope that they give an exact location for where the bodies were found - It would be unbearable to think I was that close with enough water for 4 people and didn't tune into what was going on.

[Perry]

Florian, glad to hear my idea might make a difference. I'm sure other people do this, but it's interesting to think how talking about little things can potentially affect an outcome.

Al, there is the possibility that the guy would have refused your help at that time, thinking he could make it just fine. He probably had a cell phone and probably had reception being so close to the city on an open slope. He could have fallen later on or had a drop in sodium levels or rising body temperature, at which point he might have accepted help at that later time after refusing your help earlier. Regardless, he took a risk. When he turned around, his other group members could have asked him to call somebody at a certain time. Maybe they did, and he insisted that they shouldn't worry. Lots of factors.

[neverwashasbeen]

Assuming the newspaper write-up is accurate, I don't understand why they called off the search at night. The foot-path ("trail") is not technical when there's no ice, and there are some powerful headlamps available at climbing/hiking stores.

Remember that search and rescue teams are made up of volunteers. What is easy for you may a challenge for them. Members can have a wide range of skills and abilities. They are going out on their own time, with their personal gear. While it seems like maybe they should be able to do more at times, they often do as best they can under the circumstances. We don't know how many members were available, what their condition is, experience level, etc. They are always looking for members and I would encourage every one to go to one of their meetings and check them out. You might get inspired to join.

I used to play with them.

[Zé]

terrible

[halhiker]

Very tragic and unnecessary. I have railed against people doing Skyline in past years so no preaching will be forthcoming. Having lost a friend on this trail it only brings back sad feelings and regret to hear of yet another hiker dying out there.