High Sierra Topix

a nice story dave.. Why don't people just burn stuff? we all have stoves.. Heck, much to Markskor's pleasure If I was stranded and late and I heard helicopters flying, I'd gladly burn the kellty.. she would smoke quite alot.

No tracks.. no sign.. it's just worrisome.

Thanks for that inspirational post. I hope Larry can be found and rescued. My thoughts have been with him, those who care about him and SAR since this story broke on Wednesday night.
Hopeful Herm

I spoke with the Rangers twice yesterday afternoon and evening. They sent me a stock picture of a pair of Patagonia trail shoes, taken previously, and I identified those as the shoes he was wearing. This picture was not recent, and was staged in a personal setting. They were also very interested in knowing if he was using trekking poles. I verified that he was. I remembered that he had a blue Nalgene bottle in his side pocket. I shared with them the fact that through his posts on this forum, he was interested in off trail exploration of lake basins, cross county passes and class 2-3 peaks and ridges. These guys are completely professional and COMMITTED to finding Larry. If there is anything you can share with the Rangers about Larry PLEASE please do so. They need information. Anything....like How many miles a day does he do? What kind of camera? what kind of pictures does he like to shoot? Nothing is too trivial now, they need to know what was in his head as well, and we can share that because of his posts and PMs to individuals. They don't need advise or long diatribes, they need good information about Larry, short and to the point!

I've been following this for several days and am amazed at the contributions of the HST family in the search for Larry. I'm proud to be a part of this forum and have been praying that the next time I log in there will be good news.

Ladd

Added news release link to Kern River Valley Hiking Club's and Central Valley Hiking Club's meetup discussion pages.

ok, i'll take a stab at it...

Great map Lost Coyote. SEKI is monitoring this site, so I am sure they see it.

The picture of the shoes I was asked to identify were not recent and not something recovered at the scene!! It was a personal photo of the shoes staged in a home. Thanks to eee333 for bringing this to my attention!! I edited the post to make this absolutely clear!

freestone wrote:I spoke with the Rangers twice yesterday afternoon and evening. They sent me a picture of a pair of Patagonia trail shoes and I identified those as the shoes he was wearing.

did they tell you where they found the shoes????

also, i just assumed that SEKI will be scanning this forum as they have posted here and take a look at my map for what its worth. it really just shows spots in blue that should be checked out as possible spots somebody (like larry) might be intersted in exploring like on a day off. i based some of the spots on the trip that larry wrote up (few months back) looping thru amphitheater and back over cartridge pass.

1) i noted that he went to the top of frozen lake pass but didn't go down the east side because of all the rubble - perhaps he decided to explore the east side on this trip as a day hike???

2) also shows areas around pinchot that he mayn be interested in

3) amphitheater ridgeline he might be interested in exporing a possible way down for a future trip - he was in amphitheater basin on that previous trip and took pictures of the ridgeline from the amphithater basin side.


all these areas are worth looking into imo....
do you have a link for me to send my map to?

because bo footsteps have been found as of yet, i am sort of thinking 2 things:

1) he decided to head for lower elevation but got injured cuz he should have shown up (at cedar grove for example) by now - thus - check out muro blanco or pinchot. i doubt he'd go over mather pass and head down the middle fork - all that way to yucca point & come back up there.

2) he got seriously injured while exploring, thus, no base camp to see trails in and out of if he did hunker down & wait for rescue setting up big "X" stamps in the snow, fires, etc.... this would be the worst scenario cuz he could have gotten injured before the storm hit and thus, in an extreme survival situation - i don't wish to think along these lines - but ****, he's not shown up yet & no footprints either.

i'll call the number at SEKI and let them know about my idea map.

post edit: called dana & they did receive the sketched up map - thanks dana.

This incident has made me really rethink my opinon of SPOT, particularly if going solo, if for no other reason than reducing the search and rescue effort. I agree things are not looking great, but do not give up hope. I have read amazing survival stories.

The only new off-the-wall idea I have is that is between the PCT and the crest, treeline extends upward quite high. I have traversed from just below Taboose Pass, in timber, north to Split Mountain, east of the PCT. If I were heading for Taboose Pass and bizzard condtions hit, I may think of going into those trees for shelter. And if I were at Split Mountain and headed back towards Taboose Pass, it is temtping to traverse high instead of dropping to the trail. Granted not the best decison because the trail really is easier inspite of the elevation gain. But then I have been known to panic and make bad decisions too. The news release did not specify what was considered the "travel corridors" searched - perhaps these areas were already considered in the search. Sorry if this is a stupid "clue", but I am scratching my head for everything I can think of.

I have hesitated to make suggestions, out of respect for the SAR professionalism, but what seems logical to me, is the common ascent and descent routes for any of the major peaks in the Taboose Pass general area. Perhaps even as far as the Pinchot Pass area. If he got into trouble up high bagging a peak, that might explain why his tracks or signs of activity are not being seen in the more common travel corridors....still praying and hoping for the best!