Story of missing hiker in Joshua Tree NP

[zippetydude]

I have a question that I'm not sure how to phrase appropriately...uh, what if there are no remains? Is it uncommon for coyotes and the like to consume remains? It seems that at the very least it could lead to a dispersal of evidence, to put it delicately.

z

The remains would be scattered at this point.

Well, I guess it's out in the open now.


HJ

I hope my question wasn't inappropriate. I don't know much about these things, but have felt the desire to help when I've heard of searches, especially when time is of the essence.

A few weeks ago a hiker went missing out of Whitewater, and if I had known, I would have planned the day as a trail run out of his point of origin towards his destination, and explored areas where I already know the trail might cause confusion. Had I done so, I might have been of service in finding him in a few hours instead of a few days. How cool it would be to save someone the nightmare of days alone, hoping to be found...

A few years ago, (HJ will remember when) Ellen went missing on San J. I was in my car backing out of the garage to join the search when the call came in that she had been found. If we, as locals, had known about her disappearance earlier, we could have saved her the 2nd night in the ski hut, all alone in freezing temps, with a broken leg, wondering if anyone would ever come...we were going to go directly up the Sid Davis route to the peak and drop by the cabin - she would have been found in only a couple of hours.

So, anyway, please forgive my bumbling ignorance. Newbie here.

If there's some way to set up a network amongst us to activate a search immediately, at the same time as SAR or even an informal process that starts more quickly, I'm up for that. As it is, I'll join the search in the fall and perhaps one of us can provide the family some closure.

z

[OtherHand]

I hope my question wasn't inappropriate. I don't know much about these things, but have felt the desire to help when I've heard of searches, especially when time is of the essence.

You question wasn't inappropriate and it was delicately put. The thing is despite the certain level of abstractness to it all, we're talking about a person's death here, a person who was loved by their family. And given the power of Google and that family members can easily see what's publicly posted, it just seems decent to not get into too fine a level of detail. That's my philosophy anyway.

If there's some way to set up a network amongst us to activate a search immediately, at the same time as SAR or even an informal process that starts more quickly, I'm up for that. As it is, I'll join the search in the fall and perhaps one of us can provide the family some closure.

I understand the urge. Having been on a SAR team and not currently on one, I see both sides of the argument. But for non-SAR folks to get involved in an active search gets to be VERY problematic. Due to liability issues, the SAR folks can't tell or even suggest to civilians where they might search. If one gets injured, all sorts of problems arise. Then there's the issue of leaving tracks in the search area. Most SAR people are trained to deal with tracking and how to observe signs of a person's passage.

The only things I get involved with are those where I know there is no active SAR activity. If there were I would stand down. But I understand that for a friend or family member of someone missing, the hardest thing to do would be to stand by and do nothing. Were I ever in that situation, I'm not sure I'd be able to take my own advice.

[Hikin_Jim]

Peripherally but not directly related to Bill Ewasko, here is some more information about James Nelson whose remains were found almost 2 years after he went missing.

Apparently he was found in a spot outside of his planned itinerary in an area he may have retreated to in order to get to a lower elevation to escape from altitude sickness. He was found only 50 feet from a jeep trail, but was not found for as I say nearly 2 years.

HJ

[Patrick]

Sorry to be a pisser... (and I know that people really want to find him), but by the looks of the terrain he should have been found. Easily.
He should have seen the SARs IF he were alive.
IF he were not alive, it would be likely he would have been found near a trail.

I suspect it was foul play.
Revisit the vehicle being moved.

sry

[Hikin_Jim]

I've had a theory, percolating in the back of my mind. Perhaps Bill is right under our noses in some fashion? I'm probably wrong (as usual) but bear with me for a moment. It's not like we've got a bunch of hot leads to follow right now, yes?

So, Bill goes out on Thursday. He get injured. He lays low hoping for rescue. Nobody comes. Recall that the search doesn't get under way until the CHP chopper spots his vehicle on Saturday evening. Sunday morning, he struggles to a high point, fires up his cell phone which quickly dies due to a discharged battery, but a ping gets out. Cell phone dead, what does he do?

Our various theories have him going to Johnny Lang Canyon, Smith Water Canyon, exiting northward via some canyons that lead toward Quail Springs Road, etc. All of these are a stretch for an injured man. What if he did something more obvious? What if he did the most straightforward thing and tried to get back to his van? I wonder if he isn't somewhere between the Juniper Flats trailhead and Quail Mtn. Perhaps, Norman Cox-like, he's right under our noses somewhere near the route back to his vehicle? They found James Nelson almost 2 years after he went missing and he was only 50 yards from a jeep trail.

Just an idea.

HJ

[halhiker]

I don't know about that idea, Jim. I remember when Anthony Martinez was kidnapped and murdered and his body dumped in Berdoo Canyon, the ranger found his body because of vultures circling around where his body was dumped. I would think that if Bill were somewhere out in the open that would happen here. Also, I think that the smell of death would have been prevalent, as well.

It's probably something we wouldn't even imagine.

[OtherHand]

Joshua Tree NP is a lot more lethal than people give it credit for. Here's one from yesterday:

Canadian visitor found dead in Joshua Tree

[Hikin_Jim]

I don't know about that idea, Jim. I remember when Anthony Martinez was kidnapped and murdered and his body dumped in Berdoo Canyon, the ranger found his body because of vultures circling around where his body was dumped. I would think that if Bill were somewhere out in the open that would happen here. Also, I think that the smell of death would have been prevalent, as well.

It's probably something we wouldn't even imagine.

Good point, but at the same time I don't believe any vultures were spotted around Norman Cox, and he was found very close to a trail if I recall correctly.

You're probably right, though, that it'll be some place really oddball where Bill is finally found.

HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

Joshua Tree NP is a lot more lethal than people give it credit for. Here's one from yesterday:

Canadian visitor found dead in Joshua Tree

RIP. No indication of what happened, though. Slip and fall?

HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

I see that some people continue to search, even into summer.

HJ