Tahquitz Drainage - mission failed

[wb]

I think you're gonna fit in just fine buddy. Can't wait to meet you.

<wb> Thanks! Likewise.

[wb]

I hope to join in on some of the publicized, future outings. The sane ones, at least...

In that case, you won't be doing much hiking -- considering this group.



HJ

<wb> Yeah, kinda what I thought, too. After looking at some of the member's photos, I began to wonder if this wasn't a group of recovering compulsive risk takers experiencing some serious relapses. ; o

[bluerail]

...yea, hopefully, this is my final addiction. This one has it's problems, but the others were worse.

[DayEarly]

Thanks for the positive and encouraging comments regarding my descent down Tahquitz Canyon drainage. Fact is, I underestimated the danger involved and now (as then) view the episode as a stupid thing to do.

I should have sought counsel on this message board and partnered with someone familiar with the drainages. Lesson learned.

One positive note, however, is discovering the kind and considerate souls on this message board. I hope to join in on some of the publicized, future outings. The sane ones, at least...

Fascinating expose and photos. Thanks for the effort. I can't recall where, but I did find a photo of the final camp site of John Donovan that I think was taken by the RCSR team on site. There was a pool of water where the remains were found (wrapped in a blue tarp). They were not sure if he fell into the pool from above or if his body had been washed over by the winter down flow of water. That was their pondering. In my own mind, I wondered if the situation was so severe that he intentionally went over the falls in a bid to end his own suffering.

I'm not sure what draws me to this story. I read of another fellow in the Aderandock mountains of New York who starved to death only 3 miles from safety, but I've not had the inclination to go find his death site.

For those of you who might be interested, there are two books that give case by case studies of fatalities in Yosemite and Grand Canyon. I recommend them. "Over the Edge: Death in Yosemite," and "Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon." They offer excellent narrative on the mistakes of hikers in the wild. Some of the victims were never found.

Also, an excellent mystery involving a lifelong outdoorsman and NPS Backcountry Ranger. After a career of 18 years on the job, he goes missing. "The Final Season." I won't tell you the ending but it is somewhat of a surprise.

[HH8]

I believe that a combination of coldness, deteriorating weather and panic colluded against Donovan, undermining his judgment.

Until you have experienced it yourself, it is hard to imagine how badly the brain misfires during hypothermia.

[DayEarly]

Upon re-reading your trip report, you stated:

" to Caramba Camp and make my way down the Tahquitz Creek drainage to the intersection of the Long Valley drainage, then ascend 600 feet up Long Valley and search for the campsite."

I'm not clear on why you did not start at point B Hidden Lake and make your way down Hidden Fork to point D ? Would not that have been more direct to finding the camp site ? I know you stated it was "so" steep, but it seems that would have been the route Donovan took since he was
found above the TC drainage.

Maybe your strategy was to come up so as to avoid the drop that
trapped Mr. Donovan. But then, by coming up, you would be below
his camp site which was your goal.

Hope you come back online for more chat. I emailed you off board
and have not heard from you yet.

[DayEarly]

[quote="Ulysses"]Wow!!! Incredible trip report. Thank you for sharing.

I've been intrigued by that canyon every year since, but have never been brave enough to venture below the falls at Carmaba.

--------

Is it possible that the falls which you mention are the same falls that the tourist couple heard when they hiked off trail, became lost, and then stumbled into John Donovan's camp ?

It was the sound of a waterfall that lured that tourist couple off trail
and away from the tram station.

[DayEarly]

Once on the other side of the mountains why did he want to try to keep moving east when North is the desired direction for the PCT?

....summarized that he fell to his death .... I'm wondering why everyone is concluding that he in fact tried to continue to down climb the various canyons being mentioned here,

.....he had maps and should have had a basic understanding that he was going east? It sure would be nice to know more?

I have not studied the event as much as some of you but my understanding was that Donovan was notoriously a poor navigator. He was retreating in the face of a storm. Going East may seem odd, but
that may have been a combo of poor navigation and storm troubles.

I spoke with a S&R guy from the Riverside unit and was told that many hikers who are in trouble in that vicinity see the lights shining from Palm Springs below and trek toward what appears to be safety but in reality are treking into treacherous drainages.

He was near the tram station and I've never heard what might have happened if he had found it. Was it locked down? Or did he miss it altogether? Did they have an emergency phone for such situations
even if the buildings were in fact locked down ?

Having just hiked up the bottom half of the C2C trail, I did encounter one such emergency contact box put there by rangers. Not really well marked though and probably easy to miss in the dark or snow.

[wb]

Hi DayEarly,

I share your interest in the location and exploration of Donovan's last camp, and will respond to your post when I arrive back in town in a few days. A few others on the forum have expressed an interest in making the trek to Donovan's last camp site. It would be a great adventure to assemble a small team and make a go of it in the late spring or early summer.

wb

[wb]

I'm not clear on why you did not start at point B [fragile place] and make your way down Hidden Fork to point D ? Would not that have been more direct to finding the camp site ? I know you stated it was "so" steep, but it seems that would have been the route Donovan took since he was found above the TC drainage.

The drainage seemed (a) safer and (b) more difficult to lose one's way, and (c) easier to bail out of in the event of an obstacle or problem. That's the official reason. However, according to my wife, it was a mixture of irresponsibility, stupidity and ignorance.

A local expert in the area, RMRUpete, said:

The best way in would be from the Tramway and hike down Long Canyon or maybe the ridge to the South of Long Canyon. You could walk out the ridge very easily and then drop down into Long Canyon. Either way you will have haevy brush the last one half mile to the camp and some steep downhill and possible 3rd class climbing.

Before taking this route, a recon hike to the upper part of this ridge, accessing the area from C2C, can be done in a day hike and will provide an opportunity to scout for the best departure point, as well as placing and leaving a climbing line on a pre-determined exit point.

He was near the tram station and I've never heard what might have happened if he had found it. Was it locked down? Or did he miss it altogether? Did they have an emergency phone for such situations even if the buildings were in fact locked down?

I do not believe that the tram was operating, but Donovan et al were under the impression that it was not operating according to a woman hiking with him the day before he disappeared.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthr ... thru-hiker
I doubt that he ever came upon the tram station, because he would have most likely stayed there and ridden out the storm. He appears to have had a premonition about the weather according to his email he sent to the AZDPCTKO on 2-23-05, three months before getting lost.
http://www.backcountry.net/arch/pct/0506/msg00773.html

I hope this adequately answers your questions.