High Sierra Topix

no disrespect, but post the friggn SAR search map???

We actually don't know where they've looked, or where they're looking or now that it's dark, what the plan is tomorrow. It's a picture of the map where they looked.. upload it to the thread. Mav, you seem to be in charge here.

Heck, some of us could have done Taboose tomorrow and other areas..

How many are actually looking?

here is a photo from the SEKI new release from the search area, gives you an idea of what the searchers and Larry are up against

As noted, I have no direct involvement here but, as much as all experienced and concerned people want to get out there and help, I'll just note that in many ways it makes a search more difficult. At the moment, there's a huge area with snow and no tracks. This is extremely helpful because any human tracks that do show up would be his or someone who's hiking through the area and could provide critical information. I have been told that the snow makes travel extremely difficult -- too deep to walk in, too thin to ski or snow shoe.

Having non-SAR teams out there means no coordination; no communication; briefing and assignments etc. Plus, of course, it adds human tracks in unplanned places, potentially confusing SAR planning. It does really mess a search up. Plus, of course, you've got incredibly gnarly conditions and a huge danger of getting people out there not skilled or equipped (excepting most all the people here...). But that increases the odds the SAR agency will start having problems with taking care of well-intentioned searchers, taking away resources from the actual search... .

So, as much as everyone wants to help -- and feels helpless not doing so -- unless you're associated with a recognized MRA SAR team, actually being in the field would likely cause more confusion and distraction than helping.

To the extend that I can, I'll try to update people on any needs (though I'm not really in direct contact with anyone).

Many thanks,

George

PS: if I can get ahold of a SAR map, and permission, I'll post it.

This was Larry during our Topix group hike in 2007

I see someone got this posted to the Yahoo JMT group.

BrianF wrote:here is a photo from the SEKI new release from the search area, gives you an idea of what the searchers and Larry are up against

from october 2009 when i got skunked in a nasty storm...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2BMDoiM_LU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Civilians going up would interfere with the SAR mission and may even impede the investigation Rlown, otherwise I would have gone up tomorrow. They have a protocol that is followed, so I will honor that and there experience.

The waiting and not being able to do anything, especially with the knowledge of the area and Larry, is extremely frustrating to say the least, but cannot imagine what his family and friends are going through right now.

The area from Mather to Pinochet and in-between is easy travel but not with the snow. Plus getting up to Spilt, Upper Basin Cross, down the Muro Blanco, Lakes east
of Marjorie is a lot area cover, though UPB, and the Marjorie area are open space the Bench Lake Trail and JMT for a few miles up towards UB has tree cover that can
impede a helicopter line of sight.

Claus said they are looking for foot prints but none can be found, which is slowing down any progress. So all we can do is sit and wait, and hopefully they will give us
some further information when they find something.

Freestone you can shed some light on this since you were in this area a couple of
days before Larry.

From Bench Lake, Taboose is a beacon of hope more than any other perspective. Larry is an alpinist, he knows the best way out. The Eastern Sierra is his domain, Taboose would be his choice.

Viewing Taboose from Bench lake on Wednesday October 17.

I am sorry my friends, tears are my weakness now. The landscape is so deceptively easy looking, but for an off trail soloist, every step taken is contentious and unforgiving.

Pragmatically, I hope that the rescuers focus their efforts in the Pinchot pass area. The alpine areas where their are no trails. Thats where Larry likes to be.

eee333 wrote: I've posted to these FB groups, so far:

• Elevation, Sierra Adventure Essentials
  Sage to Summit
  Sierra Club Angeles Chapter
  Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter
  Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter - Peak Climbing Section
  Sierra Club SF Bay Chapter
  Sierra Mountain Center
  Value Sports

Also posted to the HST FB page (credit Shawn!) and the JMT page (credit KathyW!).

And FWIW, from his posts, Larry claims he does not skimp on food.

If the snow that fell on the 11th + was sticking to the high peaks, as I assume it was, then, given his footwear, he would likely have chosen to peak bag a southern/western exposure - to minimize snow travel. Keep searching SAR's.