Missing Hiker - SEKI - Gardiner Basin

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.
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schmalz
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Missing Hiker - SEKI - Gardiner Basin

Post by schmalz »

http://www.nps.gov/seki/parknews/upload ... r-MUCK.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://CaliTrails.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://facebook.com/calitrails" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Missing Hiker - SEKI - Gardiner Basin

Post by oleander »

I wonder if he was planning to go to Gardiner Pass from below (bushwacking straight up Charlotte Creek from Bubbs Creek); or from above (from Charlotte Lake)?
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Re: Missing Hiker - SEKI - Gardiner Basin 8/10-8/17

Post by maverick »

Are they sure about the itinerary, exiting Gardiner Creek to Woods Creek, that
route is not easy, lots of downed trees and bush.
How old is that picture? He is 46 now. Big beard?
Cameron, this was during the time you were in the area, see anything?

MISSING HIKER: Gregory Muck 8/10-8/17

HEIGHT: 6 ft.

HAIR: Blond

WEIGHT: 160 to 170 lbs

EYES: Brown

AGE: 46 years old

RACE: White

INTENDED ITINERARY: Kings Canyon National Park
Traveling from Roads End in Cedar Grove to Gardiner Basin via Gardiner Pass.
After several days, out Gardiner Creek to Woods Creek to Roads End in Cedar Grove.

IDENTIFYING FEATURES:
Big beard, bright blue shirt, green wool pants, black boots, and blue bandana. Red
internal frame pack and blue tarp or possible orange tent. Will have fishing gear.

Call Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks at 559-565-3118, OR 888-677-2746
with your name, contact info, and additional details.
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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
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Re: Missing Hiker - SEKI - Gardiner Basin

Post by maverick »

Supertopo, Rock Creek, Yosemite, Mammoth Forums have been notified, Whitney
Zone already posted.
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
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Re: Missing Hiker - SEKI - Gardiner Basin

Post by maverick »

http://blog.sfgate.com/stew/2014/08/19/ ... gs-canyon/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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
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Re: Missing Hiker - SEKI - Gardiner Basin

Post by cgundersen »

Hi Mav/Brian/Oleander et al.,
Absolutely, we were right in the cross hairs of where he was headed. However, aside from a trio that jammed up and over 60 Lakes col on Sunday evening while we were camped at the west end of the uppermost big lake (in view of the col), we did not see or hear another person in the basin over the next 3 days. However, as I noted in another post, we did NOT manage to get into the gorgeous and pristine appearing central valley below Gardiner peak. I scrambled to the ridge between that valley and the branch we were in (the branch that leads to Gardiner Pass) and spent a fair amount of time scanning each lakeshore with binoculars. This was Wednesday evening (the 13th) and I saw nothing down there. I certainly would have seen a brightly colored tarp/tent. However, as we were ascending Gardiner Pass from the north, I was pretty confident that there were relatively fresh tracks going down. Even if the trio we'd seen Sunday had come in that way, the HUGE rain we got starting early Monday morning would have obliterated any signs of footprints. Thus, it's fair to assume that what I saw could have been his steps. It all depends how fast he got to the pass relative to when the rains hit. Sunday (the 10th) was a pretty nice day up there and if he left early, he might have even gotten over Gardiner Pass before the deluge started early Monday morning. If not, I really doubt he would have gone anywhere till Tuesday morning, because it was 30h of intense wind, rain, hail and lightning.

One other tidbit, as we were looking for the Gardiner use trail mid-morning on the 14th, there was a climber's camp on the southern flanks of Gardiner. We noticed the location, because they had hung a blue stuff sack. If anyone filed a recent report of a Gardiner climb, they might have useful info. We saw the camp, but there was no one around (and, we'd have been grateful for route suggestions, but had to fend for ourselves).

Sorry not to be more help.
Cameron
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Re: Missing Hiker - SEKI - Gardiner Basin

Post by maverick »

Cameron,

This may be of use to SAR, even the weather conditions at that time could be of
use in determining a time line. Would recommend that you pass this info on
to the numbers listed above. Thanks
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
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Re: Missing Hiker - SEKI - Gardiner Basin

Post by maverick »

Updated flyer with up to date photo: http://www.nps.gov/seki/parknews/upload ... pdated.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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
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Missing Hiker in Kings Canyon National Park--Gregory Muck

Post by SEKI Public Affairs »

Have you seen this missing hiker--or were you traveling in Kings Canyon National Park near Roads End in Cedar Grove, Gardiner Basin, or Gardiner Pass from August 10-17?

http://www.nps.gov/seki/parknews/upload ... pdated.pdf

Thanks, in advance, for your help!
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Re: Missing Hiker - SEKI - Gardiner Basin

Post by maverick »

Read above, had one member out in Gardiner at the time.
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
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