Here's what I've received so far:
large_files/1streleaseoffoiadocuments.ziplarge_files/2nd_release_of_FOIA_docs.zipMost of the documents require redactions and are still waiting for review by the regional office. That includes operational period 4 which is skipped in the 2nd release.
Conversion tool for UTM to lat/long:
http://www.rcn.montana.edu/Resources/Converter.aspxThe park is in zone 11 north. If someone wants to create a Caltopo map or similar that would be very helpful. If not, then eventually I will get around to making something. Aligning overlaid images, zooming in on handwriting, and converting UTM can be a bit tedious.
I noticed that the dogs lost interest approaching the oasis, and there were no footprints in the SW drainage which has some soft sandy areas. My guess is that he left the trail shortly before the oasis and headed west because the main wash has been searched multiple times and the helicopter looked east of the main wash. There's also a plateau to the west that is probably fast travelling after the initial climb away from the trail, and he could have later attempted an exit to Indian Cove Road. That general area stands out as being unsearched.
The lower SW drainage from the oasis is also a quick way to travel, and theoretically he could have gone on boulders to skip the sandy parts, if the dogs were wrong or if they lost interest only at the very end. The lower SE drainage from oasis is slow-going and the bushwhacking kind of sucks. The ridge to the west of the oasis is rocky with some bushwhacking (I have not been to the very top of that peak). I suppose he could have climbed the plateau to the south (a hardcore scramble) and been unable to safely descend the scree, but I'm guessing people would have looked at the aerial photos of there because it's an obvious place to look, and the helicopter search area on day 2 includes the north end of that southern plateau. A friend of mine suggested the possibility of him getting buried in a landslide in that area. There are also crevices and caves in various areas that could hide a person.
Thoughts?
Counting the days until October...