Missing Hiker -- Sierra National Forest

Use this forum to stay informed on missing persons alerts, active SAR's and unfortunate hiker accidents we can all hopefully learn from. Any information you may have on a missing person, including first hand weather related information or any other insight (however little) may prove to be critical information to Law Enforcement / SAR in locating the person in question.
User avatar
Mike M.
Topix Expert
Posts: 647
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 10:50 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Portland, Oregon

Missing Hiker -- Sierra National Forest

Post by Mike M. »

I just returned from a two week hike in the Blackcap Basin area -- I entered and exited from the Maxson trailhead. On the way out, at Post Corral Meadows, I ran into Forest Service personnel who were part of a search-and-rescue operation, looking for a missing hiker. I'm not sure if the S&R personnel I talked to had their facts right, but apparently the hiker was day hiking out of a base camp at Guest Lake. She became separated from her group and has been missing now for almost a week. See here: http://content.sierraclub.org/press-rel ... nal-forest and here: http://abc30.com/news/search-continues- ... st/953707/ for details.

I was surprised to see no mention of this S&R incident on HST. Has the hiker been found?

Mike
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11821
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Missing Hiker -- Sierra National Forest

Post by maverick »

I was surprised to see no mention of this S&R incident on HST. Has the hiker been found?
Yes, a member brought this to my attention a few days ago, but thought they were going to post it: http://abc30.com/news/drones-to-be-used ... er/957920/

And no, she has not been found, smoke from the Rough Fire was not allowing the use of helicopters. :(
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
User avatar
Mike M.
Topix Expert
Posts: 647
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 10:50 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Portland, Oregon

Re: Missing Hiker -- Sierra National Forest

Post by Mike M. »

maverick wrote:
I was surprised to see no mention of this S&R incident on HST. Has the hiker been found?
Yes, a member brought this to my attention a few days ago, but thought they were going to post it: http://abc30.com/news/drones-to-be-used ... er/957920/

And no, she has not been found, smoke from the Rough Fire was not allowing the use of helicopters. :(
Looks like she has been missing now for more than a week. Smoke was an issue during my two-week trip -- usually clear in the mornings (not always) and moderate to bad by day end. Running water was scarce (Post Corral Creek was not flowing when I passed through at the end of my hike).

Mike
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11821
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Missing Hiker -- Sierra National Forest

Post by maverick »

I hope she is found, alive, in the mean time, I wonder what responsibility or liability the Sierra Club has, since she was participating in one of their National Outings when she went missing, this according to the Sierra Club Program Safety Manager.
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
User avatar
TehipiteTom
Founding Member
Posts: 953
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:42 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Missing Hiker -- Sierra National Forest

Post by TehipiteTom »

Good news! This is from someone who is in contact with the Sheriff's Department:
Miyuki was found early Saturday morning by search and rescue, conscious and alert, with a broken leg. She is in a place they can't reach her with a litter from the ground, and will be extracted by a long line and flown out by helicopter sometime today to the hospital in Fresno.
User avatar
franklin411
Topix Regular
Posts: 194
Joined: Sun Aug 18, 2013 6:54 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: Missing Hiker -- Sierra National Forest

Post by franklin411 »

Wow...Great job to the SAR, and great job to the hiker as well for getting through such an ordeal!
User avatar
kpeter
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1449
Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2010 1:11 pm
Experience: Level 3 Backpacker

Re: Missing Hiker -- Sierra National Forest

Post by kpeter »

The press now has the story of Miyuki Hardwood's successful search and rescue.

http://abc30.com/news/hiker-found-alive ... ys/961918/

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/ ... 42894.html

I found it interesting that a drone was used in the search. She was out there for 9 days, with injuries. This is a rather dramatic story.
User avatar
mkbgdns
Topix Regular
Posts: 111
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2009 11:43 am
Experience: N/A

Re: Missing Hiker -- Sierra National Forest

Post by mkbgdns »

Well done to Ms. Harwood. Surviving for 9 days after a mishap on a day hike means she was well prepared, or very enterprising, or both. Of course, hat's off to SAR. She'd still be out there but for them.
User avatar
Mike M.
Topix Expert
Posts: 647
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 10:50 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Portland, Oregon

Re: Missing Hiker -- Sierra National Forest

Post by Mike M. »

Wow. That is amazingly positive news and an example of an experienced hiker who kept her composure in very dire circumstances. Looking forward to hearing her story.

Mike
User avatar
rayfound
Topix Expert
Posts: 468
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:44 pm
Experience: Level 3 Backpacker
Contact:

Re: Missing Hiker -- Sierra National Forest

Post by rayfound »

Wow! That's fabulous news.
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 9 guests