Story of missing hiker in Joshua Tree NP

[Ric Capucho]

Interestingly, Tom's latest three searches are *not* in Smithwater Canyon, but in the jumble of scary looking canyons just to the west of Upper Covington.

Ric

[RichardK]

The October issue of Backpacker magazine has Ed Rosenthal's account of being lost and nearly dying in Joshua Tree in 2010, the same year that Bill went missing. It will definitely give you perspective on what Bill may have experienced.

[Ric Capucho]

Another search for Bill's been posted on Otherhand's website, again by Adam Marsland.

[url=otherhand.org]otherhand.org[/url]

Still no sign of Bill, but the new post contains a lot of new food for thought.

Ric

[scotts]

Is there really a problem here? I can think of worse places that I'd want to end up than Joshua Tree. Like a cemetery.

I don't mean to be flippant. When they found George Mallory on Everest, what they did to him (rifling his pockets, taking some things, then covering him with a great pile of stones) seemed like an insult and a travesty to me. Not suggesting that this treatment would be in the offing for Mr. Ewasko, if/when found by the correspondents here. But I think the principle raised and the question is, at what point should things rest? Many choose to have their ashes scattered in places like Joshua Tree. Some, like Edward Abbey, prefer unmarked graves in the desert. There are tens of thousands out there, after all.

I can see if the searchers are in regular contact and carrying out directives of Mr. Ewasko's family. Absent that, I think assuming that some action ought to be taken might be unwarranted. I know much effort has gone into the search so far. Not trying to change anyone's mind or behavior. Just offering another perspective.

[scotts]

Maybe this isn't the place for my query.

It is a delicate matter, which can be approached from many angles.

Still interested in anyone's point of view.

Cheers all.

[OtherHand]

I can understand the apparent attraction of expiring in a scenic and wild area (not that I'm interested in doing that anytime soon). Also setting aside that most ways of dying in the wilderness aren't going to be pleasant experiences. But for family left behind, closure is lacking. It's one thing if your Uncle Ed has terminal cancer and one day decides to go hiking in the Sierra and tells the family, "Oh, and by the way, I won't be coming back". Painful, but understandable at some level. OTOH, suppose your father heads out to the local mountains for a simple day hike and just vanishes? Do you suppose you would want to know what happened? To most people, closure is a very powerful thing.

I'm not aware of any family member who doesn't want Bill found. They want to know what happened. Was it falling off a cliff? Foul play? Suicide? Aliens? Hell, even the bureaucracies want closure to get the case off their books. I'm sure as annoying as this ongoing "civilian" search for Bill is to JTNP, they will be thrilled to close out this incident. And don't forget both the San Berdoo and Riverside Sheriffs have open case files. People like Mallory or Abbey are special cases. Bill was just an average guy.

[zippetydude]

Hi Scott S and Other Hand. Scott, I understand your question, and I also appreciate how you tried to put it forward as gently as possible. Well spoken sir. I think I also understand what Otherhand is saying, as I would want to know, even 20 years later, what had happened to my loved one. Especially, I would want to know that it was a natural cause in a place that he loved, not some human element doing something evil to someone I loved. Only finding the remains would prove to me that that was true. And it would bring me peace. Good, thoughtful question. Good, thoughtful answer. And the search goes on...good luck to all, and lmk if there's a prime area that I can focus on this winter. I have long considered doing some of my desert hikes/runs during the winter in that area. I'd be willing to help, and I'd love to hear that the family had been given closure.

z

[scotts]

Thanks for the responses Otherhand and zippetydude. I was concerned about broaching the subject from this other angle. Thanks for not leaving me hanging.

I understand wanting to know what happened. I'm a little skeptical about claims that are made of 'closure'. Many of us I'm sure have lost family and friends. There's no good way to die, no easy way of grief, and no really ever saying goodbye. In most ways, the family here isn't unique. They are far down the same road we all have to go. A final certainty might be better, but it's going to be a matter of degree.

I think it's important to move past the urgency and hope of an SAR frame, for family and searchers. I'm sure the loved ones, through time, have moved on. The stakes are much lower now, and returns diminished by an order of magnitude compared to a case with a presumed living subject. The searchers I gather are playing it cool, and all seem to be well experienced (far beyond myself) in rugged terrain. Just stay safe out there.

For some of the reasons above, I won't be joining the search. I will grant that it's a worthwhile endeavor. Next time in Joshua Tree I will raise a toast to the living and the passed.

[halhiker]

There was a body found in Deception Canyon north of Sky Valley today. Not many details yet. It is possible to get into Deception Canyon from Upper Covington Flat although not likely.

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/201 ... /18385403/

[OtherHand]

Do you have info beyond what was in the Desert Sun piece? I ask because the location described in the DS puts it north of the intersection of 16th Avenue and "Vertigo" (I think they meant "Virgo") which would put in in the West Wide Canyon area. Deception Canyon is 3 to 4 miles southeast of there.