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profdant139's avatar
profdant139
Explorer II
Jul 16, 2019

Missing camper found alive in White Mtns of Calif

Great news for those of us who have been following this story:

Found!

Last Friday, she and her husband had just pulled into either Grandview Campground or a nearby boondocking site -- the accounts are inconsistent. This is in the Bristlecone area, east of Big Pine. She hopped out of the car to take her small dog for a quick walk and just disappeared. Four days without food or water at 8000 feet.

I hope that after she recovers, she can let us all know what happened. This person is a very experienced camper and boondocker -- did she get lost? Or was there some sort of threat that caused her to run and become disoriented?

If it can happen to her, it can happen to almost anyone -- so that is why I would like to know what went wrong and how to avoid the problem.

This story resonated very strongly with me -- these folks are almost carbon copies of many of us on this forum -- avid campers and hikers, active seniors, adventurous but prudent travelers. What a sense of relief to hear that she is ok!!
Boondocking
Dry Camping
Public Lands
  • monkey44's avatar
    monkey44
    Nomad II
    Jul 18, 2019
    If you are day-hiking on trails, carry a colored ribbon with you - when you come to any fork or trail separation, tie a piece of it on a tree branch, or place tip under a rock - when you return, find the ribbon and your way, and take it out with you ... very light, doesn't add to weight you carry, and might save a life.

    Might not work always, or even be appropriate for every occasion, like walking a dog, but you never know ... and of course, doesn't deter foul play, but will give any family or rescuers a "start search" heading if nothing else.
  • ppine's avatar
    ppine
    Explorer II
    Jul 16, 2019
    Glad she is okay. The White Mtns are very unforgiving. I agree that it is a strange story that is not logical. Who takes a stroll and gets lost for 4 days? It is very open country and easy to stay found. Something is up with this story.
  • profdant139's avatar
    profdant139
    Explorer II
    Jul 16, 2019
    The story is that she wasn't really "hiking" -- she was just walking the dog after a long car ride.

    But we are just going to have to wait. Regardless, this is a good day.
  • philh's avatar
    philh
    Explorer II
    Jul 16, 2019
    A friend that's involved in search and rescue, said she wandered out to go hiking. she did not take a phone or even water. Said she wasn't even appropriately dressed for hiking. He made no mention of a knife.
  • RoyF's avatar
    RoyF
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2019
    It is certainly possible to get lost, even when hiking on trails. Here is one way to go wrong when hiking on unfamiliar trails: to fail to turn around frequently and to remember at how things should look on the way back. This is particularly important when passing a place where another trail comes in. It is very easy to take the wrong fork on the way back. Even a compass may not help in such a case.

    I think that is what may have happened in the Hawaii case.

    The facts are still out on this case.
  • profdant139's avatar
    profdant139
    Explorer II
    Jul 16, 2019
    Yeah, I read about the knife -- not sure how accurate the media reports are. Let's wait and see and give the family time to recover their equilibrium.
  • MDKMDK's avatar
    MDKMDK
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2019
    Strange story, something about it doesn't seem right.
    Sounds similar to the Hawaii one a few months ago, which didn't make sense to me, either.
    Balloon boy?
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jul 16, 2019
    Yes, and hopefully soon the why of an experienced outdoor woman losing her way. Very strange. Stay put! Or hike down hill!

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