In a search situation, the NPS pulls in already-contracted resources from the immediate region. 200 miles in a small plane – “nearby”, but not really “right next door”, but perhaps the closest NPS resource, especially in winter.
Thankfully, once found, Navy resources were available to do the extraction.
Tom
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, Luke Galyan
Is there something I am missing? How did a plane from lake mead see anyone in death valley? The only lake mead I know of (I admitedly have limited knowledge) is out here in vegas some 200 or 300 miles away. > Just curious. > Luke
RAM
>Was just working the idea of a February trip down there. A break from this cold and snow winter
Death Valley National Park (CA)
Rangers Rescue Four Lost Hikers
On the evening of January 6th, rangers received a report of two missing hikers reported to be hiking a route through Sheep Canyon that had recently been featured in Backpacker magazine. Subsequent interviews with family and friends of the missing hikers revealed that there were actually four members of the party, all two days overdue. Three search teams deployed on the morning of January 7th and found numerous sets of footprints matching those associated with the vehicle parked at the mouth of the canyon. Around noon, an observer on an airplane from Lake Mead spotted a large white “X”, a signal fire, and a person waving at the plane on a ridge south of nearby Willow Canyon. One of the search teams located the other three individuals trapped in Willow Canyon shortly thereafter. A Navy Seahawk helicopter from China Lake Naval Weapons Center successfully hoisted all four of the hikers out of the canyon and delivered them to Ridgecrest Regional Medical Center. Initial reports were that one member of the party injured an ankle, and that the others were suffering from minor exposure and dehydration. Ranger Micah Alley served as IC during this incident. [Submitted by Brent Pennington, Chief Ranger]
> >
TomJones
Yes, some areas were closed. The perp was wounded and lost significant blood, drove down a dead-end road and dumped the car. Was physically hemmed in mostly by cliffs and the Colorado River.
The deputy here in Kane county was killed when in rough terrain he was ambushed by some kid with a hunting rifle, being chased for burglary.
In Moab, I think they made the wise choice to not really try to find him in very ambushable terrain. There’s a small chance he got away, but most likely (my analysis) he holed up under a boulder somewhere, and his body will be found next summer. Or he went into the Colorado River and has found his rest in Lake Powell.
Tom
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “RAM” wrote:
Any more on this? Presumed dead? Got away? Search scaled back? I wonder if the closed any hiking access during the search?
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “RAM” wrote:
Still not found and with the storm coming, its gonna get dicy.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50727875-76/arellano-johnson-search-moab.html.csp
> — In Yahoo Canyons Group, “RAM” wrote:
Sigh! Link to KSL news and video on the bottom
Canyonlands National Park (UT)
> Major Search In Progress For Man Who Shot State Ranger
Rangers from Canyonlands NP and Arches NP are involved in the massive search for the man who shot Utah state park ranger Brody Young on Friday evening. Young, 34, stopped a Pontiac Grand Am at the Poison Spider Mesa trailhead in Dead Horse Point State Park, located near Canyonlands, and contacted the driver, believed to be 40-year-old Lance Leeroy Arellano, a man with a criminal history that includes assault, drug possession and theft. Young was shot at least three times – in the arm, leg and stomach – but was able to radio for help. He is currently hospitalized and in critical condition. The shooter is believed to still be in the area and is the subject of a search that at last report involved 234 people from 28 agencies. NPS rangers are assisting in confining the area and in searching stretches along the Colorado River. For additional details, click on the link below to a current KSL News story that also has images of the ranger and the suspect [Submitted by KSL News report; Denny Ziemann, Chief Ranger]
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=13361285
> MOAB — For the second night in a row, officers have had to scale back the search for a man accused of shooting and critically injuring a park ranger in the Moab area. Meanwhile, the Grand County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the man, calling him a person of interest.
Person of interest identified
That man is 40-year-old Lance Leeroy Arellano. Authorities say he has a criminal history including assault, drug possession and theft.
Grand County Sheriff Jim Nyland says Arellano is the registered owner of the 1999 silver Pontiac Grand Am found near the shooting site. Nyland says they found blood in the car, leading them to believe Arellano was injured.
Arellano’s last known address was in Sanpete County, but he had previously lived in Salt Lake City.
> Nyland said 20 officers will remain in the search area — which is flanked by the Colorado River on the east and slick red rock formations to west — in case Arellano tries to move overnight. The search will resume in full force Monday morning.
“It’s one of two things. Either he’s back up in these boulders or somehow he got to the river and got away, but we don’t think he did that either at this point,” said Nyland.
> Nyland said weather had been an issue all day Sunday. A storm rolled in around 3:30 p.m., making it difficult for searchers to proceed with the manhunt. Temperatures are expected to drop to as low as 12 degrees overnight.
Earlier Sunday
Heavy overnight rain helped in the search Sunday, unveiling fresh tracks in the mud. Nyland said the intensity of the search had deepened, with 140 law enforcement officers on the ground focusing on a triangular area where the gunman’s rifle and backpack were found on Saturday. Searchers also found a bloody T-shirt the man may have used as a tourniquet.
“I’m gonna catch him,” Nyland said. “We know he’s still there, and there’s not any way out for him.”
> Brody Young, 34, was shot at least three times, in the arm, leg and stomach, after stopping a vehicle at the Poison Spider Mesa trailhead about 8:40 p.m. Friday. He has undergone multiple surgeries and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Nyland said Young exchanged gunfire with the driver, who sped away from the scene and remains on the loose somewhere in the canyon. The man, who police say they believe is carrying a .40-caliber handgun, had roughly a four-hour head start on searchers, who waited until daylight to get into the canyon.
> “I’m gonna catch him. We know he’s still there, and there’s not any way out for him.” -Grand County Sheriff Jim Nyland
The silver Pontiac Grand Am the man was driving was found at the end of a road about 12 miles from where the shooting occurred, and footprints were located leading from the car into the canyon. The car is registered to a Salt Lake City area man. Nyland said on Sunday police had been in touch his family, and while the man has some experience in the outdoors, he’s no expert.
“A lot of overhangs, a lot of big boulders, a lot of crevices that a person could crawl into to get out of the weather,” he said. “The terrain is very rugged.”
After the shooting, Young was able to radio for help, prompting the exhaustive manhunt now tapping the resources of 28 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. A total of 234 people helped in the search.
> Grand County Sheriff Jim Nyland
“Everybody’s trying to be careful so we don’t get any of our people hurt,” Nyland said, “and of course we consider this guy armed and dangerous.”
Though searchers have not spotted the shooter, Nyland said there are strong indications he is alive and remains in the area.
“It’s where the Colorado River goes into the canyon,” he said, “so there are steep cliffs on both sides. And other than walking up the river, he doesn’t have anywhere else to go.”
About 140 officers were on the ground and a perimeter had been established, Nyland said. The search involved officers with spotting scopes, three helicopters and two boats, as well as five tracking dogs.
The search has been complicated by the terrain, which Nyland says includes large boulders, overhangs and erosion-caused holes and crevices in the Red Rock country — all affording an easy place to hide.
A nearby potash facility has been searched and cleared, and there is a nearby railroad line with cars that need to be cleared as well, Nyland said. A 2-mile railway tunnel will be searched Sunday, and there is also a ranch.
“It’s a very big job and it’s very difficult,” Nyland said.
Despite all those factors, the sheriff said he believes time is on the side of law enforcement and as the hours pass, the chance of capturing the man may actually grow.
Wounded and frightened, the shooter may have access to water because of the rain, but he is likely without food and getting tired, Nyland said.
“We hope he gets desperate,” and turns himself in, the sheriff said.
Family and friends pray for Brody Young
Young’s family, in the meantime, continues to hold vigil over the wounded park ranger, hoping for recovery and struggling to find answers to the shooting.
Brody Young’s father, wife and at least one sister were with him at the hospital this weekend. Members of the family’s LDS Church ward were helping to watch the children.
Meanwhile, a close-knit community is anxiously awaiting word about the hoped-for recovery of the popular, friendly ranger.
“Brody’s a good guy,” said Moab resident Corrie Park. “He’s got a heart for everybody and he loves his job.”
Others hope for word of his shooter’s capture. “He’s just a good guy,” said Rick Vickers. “All around he’s just a good guy. I’d like to see them catch the guy and punish him.”
Access to the canyon has been shutoff due to the search, and area campgrounds have been evacuated.
Story compiled with contributions from Amy Joi O’Donoghue and John Daley.
RAM
Any more on this? Presumed dead? Got away? Search scaled back? I wonder if the closed any hiking access during the search?
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “RAM” wrote:
Still not found and with the storm coming, its gonna get dicy.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50727875-76/arellano-johnson-search-moab.html.csp
> — In Yahoo Canyons Group, “RAM” wrote:
Sigh! Link to KSL news and video on the bottom
Canyonlands National Park (UT)
Major Search In Progress For Man Who Shot State Ranger
Rangers from Canyonlands NP and Arches NP are involved in the massive search for the man who shot Utah state park ranger Brody Young on Friday evening. Young, 34, stopped a Pontiac Grand Am at the Poison Spider Mesa trailhead in Dead Horse Point State Park, located near Canyonlands, and contacted the driver, believed to be 40-year-old Lance Leeroy Arellano, a man with a criminal history that includes assault, drug possession and theft. Young was shot at least three times – in the arm, leg and stomach – but was able to radio for help. He is currently hospitalized and in critical condition. The shooter is believed to still be in the area and is the subject of a search that at last report involved 234 people from 28 agencies. NPS rangers are assisting in confining the area and in searching stretches along the Colorado River. For additional details, click on the link below to a current KSL News story that also has images of the ranger and the suspect [Submitted by KSL News report; Denny Ziemann, Chief Ranger]
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=13361285
> MOAB — For the second night in a row, officers have had to scale back the search for a man accused of shooting and critically injuring a park ranger in the Moab area. Meanwhile, the Grand County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the man, calling him a person of interest.
Person of interest identified
That man is 40-year-old Lance Leeroy Arellano. Authorities say he has a criminal history including assault, drug possession and theft.
Grand County Sheriff Jim Nyland says Arellano is the registered owner of the 1999 silver Pontiac Grand Am found near the shooting site. Nyland says they found blood in the car, leading them to believe Arellano was injured.
Arellano’s last known address was in Sanpete County, but he had previously lived in Salt Lake City.
Nyland said 20 officers will remain in the search area — which is flanked by the Colorado River on the east and slick red rock formations to west — in case Arellano tries to move overnight. The search will resume in full force Monday morning.
“It’s one of two things. Either he’s back up in these boulders or somehow he got to the river and got away, but we don’t think he did that either at this point,” said Nyland.
Nyland said weather had been an issue all day Sunday. A storm rolled in around 3:30 p.m., making it difficult for searchers to proceed with the manhunt. Temperatures are expected to drop to as low as 12 degrees overnight.
Earlier Sunday
Heavy overnight rain helped in the search Sunday, unveiling fresh tracks in the mud. Nyland said the intensity of the search had deepened, with 140 law enforcement officers on the ground focusing on a triangular area where the gunman’s rifle and backpack were found on Saturday. Searchers also found a bloody T-shirt the man may have used as a tourniquet.
“I’m gonna catch him,” Nyland said. “We know he’s still there, and there’s not any way out for him.”
Brody Young, 34, was shot at least three times, in the arm, leg and stomach, after stopping a vehicle at the Poison Spider Mesa trailhead about 8:40 p.m. Friday. He has undergone multiple surgeries and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Nyland said Young exchanged gunfire with the driver, who sped away from the scene and remains on the loose somewhere in the canyon. The man, who police say they believe is carrying a .40-caliber handgun, had roughly a four-hour head start on searchers, who waited until daylight to get into the canyon.
“I’m gonna catch him. We know he’s still there, and there’s not any way out for him.” -Grand County Sheriff Jim Nyland
The silver Pontiac Grand Am the man was driving was found at the end of a road about 12 miles from where the shooting occurred, and footprints were located leading from the car into the canyon. The car is registered to a Salt Lake City area man. Nyland said on Sunday police had been in touch his family, and while the man has some experience in the outdoors, he’s no expert.
“A lot of overhangs, a lot of big boulders, a lot of crevices that a person could crawl into to get out of the weather,” he said. “The terrain is very rugged.”
After the shooting, Young was able to radio for help, prompting the exhaustive manhunt now tapping the resources of 28 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. A total of 234 people helped in the search.
Grand County Sheriff Jim Nyland
“Everybody’s trying to be careful so we don’t get any of our people hurt,” Nyland said, “and of course we consider this guy armed and dangerous.”
Though searchers have not spotted the shooter, Nyland said there are strong indications he is alive and remains in the area.
“It’s where the Colorado River goes into the canyon,” he said, “so there are steep cliffs on both sides. And other than walking up the river, he doesn’t have anywhere else to go.”
About 140 officers were on the ground and a perimeter had been established, Nyland said. The search involved officers with spotting scopes, three helicopters and two boats, as well as five tracking dogs.
The search has been complicated by the terrain, which Nyland says includes large boulders, overhangs and erosion-caused holes and crevices in the Red Rock country — all affording an easy place to hide.
A nearby potash facility has been searched and cleared, and there is a nearby railroad line with cars that need to be cleared as well, Nyland said. A 2-mile railway tunnel will be searched Sunday, and there is also a ranch.
“It’s a very big job and it’s very difficult,” Nyland said.
Despite all those factors, the sheriff said he believes time is on the side of law enforcement and as the hours pass, the chance of capturing the man may actually grow.
Wounded and frightened, the shooter may have access to water because of the rain, but he is likely without food and getting tired, Nyland said.
“We hope he gets desperate,” and turns himself in, the sheriff said.
Family and friends pray for Brody Young
Young’s family, in the meantime, continues to hold vigil over the wounded park ranger, hoping for recovery and struggling to find answers to the shooting.
Brody Young’s father, wife and at least one sister were with him at the hospital this weekend. Members of the family’s LDS Church ward were helping to watch the children.
Meanwhile, a close-knit community is anxiously awaiting word about the hoped-for recovery of the popular, friendly ranger.
“Brody’s a good guy,” said Moab resident Corrie Park. “He’s got a heart for everybody and he loves his job.”
Others hope for word of his shooter’s capture. “He’s just a good guy,” said Rick Vickers. “All around he’s just a good guy. I’d like to see them catch the guy and punish him.”
Access to the canyon has been shutoff due to the search, and area campgrounds have been evacuated.
Story compiled with contributions from Amy Joi O’Donoghue and John Daley.
>
RAM
Still not found and with the storm coming, its gonna get dicy.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50727875-76/arellano-johnson-search-moab.html.csp
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “RAM” wrote:
Sigh! Link to KSL news and video on the bottom
Canyonlands National Park (UT) > Major Search In Progress For Man Who Shot State Ranger
Rangers from Canyonlands NP and Arches NP are involved in the massive search for the man who shot Utah state park ranger Brody Young on Friday evening. Young, 34, stopped a Pontiac Grand Am at the Poison Spider Mesa trailhead in Dead Horse Point State Park, located near Canyonlands, and contacted the driver, believed to be 40-year-old Lance Leeroy Arellano, a man with a criminal history that includes assault, drug possession and theft. Young was shot at least three times – in the arm, leg and stomach – but was able to radio for help. He is currently hospitalized and in critical condition. The shooter is believed to still be in the area and is the subject of a search that at last report involved 234 people from 28 agencies. NPS rangers are assisting in confining the area and in searching stretches along the Colorado River. For additional details, click on the link below to a current KSL News story that also has images of the ranger and the suspect [Submitted by KSL News report; Denny Ziemann, Chief Ranger]
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=13361285
> MOAB — For the second night in a row, officers have had to scale back the search for a man accused of shooting and critically injuring a park ranger in the Moab area. Meanwhile, the Grand County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the man, calling him a person of interest.
Person of interest identified
That man is 40-year-old Lance Leeroy Arellano. Authorities say he has a criminal history including assault, drug possession and theft.
Grand County Sheriff Jim Nyland says Arellano is the registered owner of the 1999 silver Pontiac Grand Am found near the shooting site. Nyland says they found blood in the car, leading them to believe Arellano was injured.
Arellano’s last known address was in Sanpete County, but he had previously lived in Salt Lake City.
> Nyland said 20 officers will remain in the search area — which is flanked by the Colorado River on the east and slick red rock formations to west — in case Arellano tries to move overnight. The search will resume in full force Monday morning.
“It’s one of two things. Either he’s back up in these boulders or somehow he got to the river and got away, but we don’t think he did that either at this point,” said Nyland.
> Nyland said weather had been an issue all day Sunday. A storm rolled in around 3:30 p.m., making it difficult for searchers to proceed with the manhunt. Temperatures are expected to drop to as low as 12 degrees overnight.
Earlier Sunday
Heavy overnight rain helped in the search Sunday, unveiling fresh tracks in the mud. Nyland said the intensity of the search had deepened, with 140 law enforcement officers on the ground focusing on a triangular area where the gunman’s rifle and backpack were found on Saturday. Searchers also found a bloody T-shirt the man may have used as a tourniquet.
“I’m gonna catch him,” Nyland said. “We know he’s still there, and there’s not any way out for him.”
> Brody Young, 34, was shot at least three times, in the arm, leg and stomach, after stopping a vehicle at the Poison Spider Mesa trailhead about 8:40 p.m. Friday. He has undergone multiple surgeries and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Nyland said Young exchanged gunfire with the driver, who sped away from the scene and remains on the loose somewhere in the canyon. The man, who police say they believe is carrying a .40-caliber handgun, had roughly a four-hour head start on searchers, who waited until daylight to get into the canyon. > “I’m gonna catch him. We know he’s still there, and there’s not any way out for him.” -Grand County Sheriff Jim Nyland
The silver Pontiac Grand Am the man was driving was found at the end of a road about 12 miles from where the shooting occurred, and footprints were located leading from the car into the canyon. The car is registered to a Salt Lake City area man. Nyland said on Sunday police had been in touch his family, and while the man has some experience in the outdoors, he’s no expert.
“A lot of overhangs, a lot of big boulders, a lot of crevices that a person could crawl into to get out of the weather,” he said. “The terrain is very rugged.”
After the shooting, Young was able to radio for help, prompting the exhaustive manhunt now tapping the resources of 28 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. A total of 234 people helped in the search. > Grand County Sheriff Jim Nyland
“Everybody’s trying to be careful so we don’t get any of our people hurt,” Nyland said, “and of course we consider this guy armed and dangerous.”
Though searchers have not spotted the shooter, Nyland said there are strong indications he is alive and remains in the area.
“It’s where the Colorado River goes into the canyon,” he said, “so there are steep cliffs on both sides. And other than walking up the river, he doesn’t have anywhere else to go.”
About 140 officers were on the ground and a perimeter had been established, Nyland said. The search involved officers with spotting scopes, three helicopters and two boats, as well as five tracking dogs.
The search has been complicated by the terrain, which Nyland says includes large boulders, overhangs and erosion-caused holes and crevices in the Red Rock country — all affording an easy place to hide.
A nearby potash facility has been searched and cleared, and there is a nearby railroad line with cars that need to be cleared as well, Nyland said. A 2-mile railway tunnel will be searched Sunday, and there is also a ranch.
“It’s a very big job and it’s very difficult,” Nyland said.
Despite all those factors, the sheriff said he believes time is on the side of law enforcement and as the hours pass, the chance of capturing the man may actually grow.
Wounded and frightened, the shooter may have access to water because of the rain, but he is likely without food and getting tired, Nyland said.
“We hope he gets desperate,” and turns himself in, the sheriff said.
Family and friends pray for Brody Young
Young’s family, in the meantime, continues to hold vigil over the wounded park ranger, hoping for recovery and struggling to find answers to the shooting.
Brody Young’s father, wife and at least one sister were with him at the hospital this weekend. Members of the family’s LDS Church ward were helping to watch the children.
Meanwhile, a close-knit community is anxiously awaiting word about the hoped-for recovery of the popular, friendly ranger.
“Brody’s a good guy,” said Moab resident Corrie Park. “He’s got a heart for everybody and he loves his job.”
Others hope for word of his shooter’s capture. “He’s just a good guy,” said Rick Vickers. “All around he’s just a good guy. I’d like to see them catch the guy and punish him.”
Access to the canyon has been shutoff due to the search, and area campgrounds have been evacuated.
Story compiled with contributions from Amy Joi O’Donoghue and John Daley. >
RAM
Sigh! Link to KSL news and video on the bottom
Canyonlands National Park (UT) Major Search In Progress For Man Who Shot State Ranger
Rangers from Canyonlands NP and Arches NP are involved in the massive search for the man who shot Utah state park ranger Brody Young on Friday evening. Young, 34, stopped a Pontiac Grand Am at the Poison Spider Mesa trailhead in Dead Horse Point State Park, located near Canyonlands, and contacted the driver, believed to be 40-year-old Lance Leeroy Arellano, a man with a criminal history that includes assault, drug possession and theft. Young was shot at least three times – in the arm, leg and stomach – but was able to radio for help. He is currently hospitalized and in critical condition. The shooter is believed to still be in the area and is the subject of a search that at last report involved 234 people from 28 agencies. NPS rangers are assisting in confining the area and in searching stretches along the Colorado River. For additional details, click on the link below to a current KSL News story that also has images of the ranger and the suspect [Submitted by KSL News report; Denny Ziemann, Chief Ranger]
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=13361285
MOAB — For the second night in a row, officers have had to scale back the search for a man accused of shooting and critically injuring a park ranger in the Moab area. Meanwhile, the Grand County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the man, calling him a person of interest.
Person of interest identified
That man is 40-year-old Lance Leeroy Arellano. Authorities say he has a criminal history including assault, drug possession and theft.
Grand County Sheriff Jim Nyland says Arellano is the registered owner of the 1999 silver Pontiac Grand Am found near the shooting site. Nyland says they found blood in the car, leading them to believe Arellano was injured.
Arellano’s last known address was in Sanpete County, but he had previously lived in Salt Lake City.
Nyland said 20 officers will remain in the search area — which is flanked by the Colorado River on the east and slick red rock formations to west — in case Arellano tries to move overnight. The search will resume in full force Monday morning.
“It’s one of two things. Either he’s back up in these boulders or somehow he got to the river and got away, but we don’t think he did that either at this point,” said Nyland.
Nyland said weather had been an issue all day Sunday. A storm rolled in around 3:30 p.m., making it difficult for searchers to proceed with the manhunt. Temperatures are expected to drop to as low as 12 degrees overnight.
Earlier Sunday
Heavy overnight rain helped in the search Sunday, unveiling fresh tracks in the mud. Nyland said the intensity of the search had deepened, with 140 law enforcement officers on the ground focusing on a triangular area where the gunman’s rifle and backpack were found on Saturday. Searchers also found a bloody T-shirt the man may have used as a tourniquet.
“I’m gonna catch him,” Nyland said. “We know he’s still there, and there’s not any way out for him.”
Brody Young, 34, was shot at least three times, in the arm, leg and stomach, after stopping a vehicle at the Poison Spider Mesa trailhead about 8:40 p.m. Friday. He has undergone multiple surgeries and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Nyland said Young exchanged gunfire with the driver, who sped away from the scene and remains on the loose somewhere in the canyon. The man, who police say they believe is carrying a .40-caliber handgun, had roughly a four-hour head start on searchers, who waited until daylight to get into the canyon. “I’m gonna catch him. We know he’s still there, and there’s not any way out for him.” -Grand County Sheriff Jim Nyland
The silver Pontiac Grand Am the man was driving was found at the end of a road about 12 miles from where the shooting occurred, and footprints were located leading from the car into the canyon. The car is registered to a Salt Lake City area man. Nyland said on Sunday police had been in touch his family, and while the man has some experience in the outdoors, he’s no expert.
“A lot of overhangs, a lot of big boulders, a lot of crevices that a person could crawl into to get out of the weather,” he said. “The terrain is very rugged.”
After the shooting, Young was able to radio for help, prompting the exhaustive manhunt now tapping the resources of 28 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. A total of 234 people helped in the search. Grand County Sheriff Jim Nyland
“Everybody’s trying to be careful so we don’t get any of our people hurt,” Nyland said, “and of course we consider this guy armed and dangerous.”
Though searchers have not spotted the shooter, Nyland said there are strong indications he is alive and remains in the area.
“It’s where the Colorado River goes into the canyon,” he said, “so there are steep cliffs on both sides. And other than walking up the river, he doesn’t have anywhere else to go.”
About 140 officers were on the ground and a perimeter had been established, Nyland said. The search involved officers with spotting scopes, three helicopters and two boats, as well as five tracking dogs.
The search has been complicated by the terrain, which Nyland says includes large boulders, overhangs and erosion-caused holes and crevices in the Red Rock country — all affording an easy place to hide.
A nearby potash facility has been searched and cleared, and there is a nearby railroad line with cars that need to be cleared as well, Nyland said. A 2-mile railway tunnel will be searched Sunday, and there is also a ranch.
“It’s a very big job and it’s very difficult,” Nyland said.
Despite all those factors, the sheriff said he believes time is on the side of law enforcement and as the hours pass, the chance of capturing the man may actually grow.
Wounded and frightened, the shooter may have access to water because of the rain, but he is likely without food and getting tired, Nyland said.
“We hope he gets desperate,” and turns himself in, the sheriff said.
Family and friends pray for Brody Young
Young’s family, in the meantime, continues to hold vigil over the wounded park ranger, hoping for recovery and struggling to find answers to the shooting.
Brody Young’s father, wife and at least one sister were with him at the hospital this weekend. Members of the family’s LDS Church ward were helping to watch the children.
Meanwhile, a close-knit community is anxiously awaiting word about the hoped-for recovery of the popular, friendly ranger.
“Brody’s a good guy,” said Moab resident Corrie Park. “He’s got a heart for everybody and he loves his job.”
Others hope for word of his shooter’s capture. “He’s just a good guy,” said Rick Vickers. “All around he’s just a good guy. I’d like to see them catch the guy and punish him.”
Access to the canyon has been shutoff due to the search, and area campgrounds have been evacuated.
Story compiled with contributions from Amy Joi O’Donoghue and John Daley.
evergreen_dean
He should take some advice from Tony Montana…”Don’t get high on your own supply”.
Or just come to Colorado, where we call it “medicine”!
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “Joe Braun” wrote:
Lesson to be learned: Next time you need a new T-shirt, don’t go to a national park visitor center; go to Walmart where you’ll blend right in with the other interesting smells. And as a bonus, you can buy a bag of doritos at the same time.
> — In Yahoo Canyons Group, “RAM” wrote:
I LOVE the way the title uses the word BUSTED rather than arrested. And how did they used to put it?….”Why do you think they call it dope?” LOL!
Zion National Park (UT)
Visitor Busted For Marijuana Possession
On October 10th, seasonal protection ranger Jared Carter was working in the Kolob Canyon Visitor Center when a visitor showed him an annual pass to enter the park. During the exchange, Carter noticed a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the visitor. The man purchased a new T-shirt, left the visitor center, changed his shirt, then entered his truck and drove into the park via the scenic drive. Carter contacted the man at a pullout, told him he could smell the marijuana, and advised that he had probable cause to search the vehicle. At that point, the man said: “You got me; I smoked some this morning.” Before Carter could start his search, the man told him that “what you are looking for is in the ashtray.” Carter searched the cab and found a plastic bag with what appeared to be a couple of ground-up buds, packs of smoking paper, a white envelope containing a large amount of cash, and a dominoes tin that contained a grinder, glass pipe, and a vacuum sealed plastic bag containing approximately 60 buds. Carter then contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office drug task force. A search of the truck bed resulted in the finding of soft-sided luggage containing three large empty duffel bags, a bag containing three rolls of what appeared to be the same vacuum seal bag material as the bag that contained the marijuana buds, and numerous white envelopes containing cash. The total sum written on the envelopes exceeded $35,000. The task force proceeded with the investigation and seized the truck and cash. The man spent a week in jail before he bonded out. He was charged with a third degree misdemeanor for possession of more than an ounce of marijuana, and a Class A misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia. DEA has adopted the case regarding the seizure of the truck and cash. The county drug task force was able to enhance each charge by one class because the park is considered a drug free zone. [Submitted by Cindy Purcell, Chief Ranger]
>
Joe Braun
Lesson to be learned: Next time you need a new T-shirt, don’t go to a national park visitor center; go to Walmart where you’ll blend right in with the other interesting smells. And as a bonus, you can buy a bag of doritos at the same time.
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “RAM” wrote:
I LOVE the way the title uses the word BUSTED rather than arrested. And how did they used to put it?….”Why do you think they call it dope?” LOL!
Zion National Park (UT) > Visitor Busted For Marijuana Possession
On October 10th, seasonal protection ranger Jared Carter was working in the Kolob Canyon Visitor Center when a visitor showed him an annual pass to enter the park. During the exchange, Carter noticed a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the visitor. The man purchased a new T-shirt, left the visitor center, changed his shirt, then entered his truck and drove into the park via the scenic drive. Carter contacted the man at a pullout, told him he could smell the marijuana, and advised that he had probable cause to search the vehicle. At that point, the man said: “You got me; I smoked some this morning.” Before Carter could start his search, the man told him that “what you are looking for is in the ashtray.” Carter searched the cab and found a plastic bag with what appeared to be a couple of ground-up buds, packs of smoking paper, a white envelope containing a large amount of cash, and a dominoes tin that contained a grinder, glass pipe, and a vacuum sealed plastic bag containing approximately 60 buds. Carter then contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office drug task force. A search of the truck bed resulted in the finding of soft-sided luggage containing three large empty duffel bags, a bag containing three rolls of what appeared to be the same vacuum seal bag material as the bag that contained the marijuana buds, and numerous white envelopes containing cash. The total sum written on the envelopes exceeded $35,000. The task force proceeded with the investigation and seized the truck and cash. The man spent a week in jail before he bonded out. He was charged with a third degree misdemeanor for possession of more than an ounce of marijuana, and a Class A misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia. DEA has adopted the case regarding the seizure of the truck and cash. The county drug task force was able to enhance each charge by one class because the park is considered a drug free zone. [Submitted by Cindy Purcell, Chief Ranger] >
RAM
I LOVE the way the title uses the word BUSTED rather than arrested. And how did they used to put it?….”Why do you think they call it dope?” LOL!
Zion National Park (UT) Visitor Busted For Marijuana Possession
On October 10th, seasonal protection ranger Jared Carter was working in the Kolob Canyon Visitor Center when a visitor showed him an annual pass to enter the park. During the exchange, Carter noticed a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the visitor. The man purchased a new T-shirt, left the visitor center, changed his shirt, then entered his truck and drove into the park via the scenic drive. Carter contacted the man at a pullout, told him he could smell the marijuana, and advised that he had probable cause to search the vehicle. At that point, the man said: “You got me; I smoked some this morning.” Before Carter could start his search, the man told him that “what you are looking for is in the ashtray.” Carter searched the cab and found a plastic bag with what appeared to be a couple of ground-up buds, packs of smoking paper, a white envelope containing a large amount of cash, and a dominoes tin that contained a grinder, glass pipe, and a vacuum sealed plastic bag containing approximately 60 buds. Carter then contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office drug task force. A search of the truck bed resulted in the finding of soft-sided luggage containing three large empty duffel bags, a bag containing three rolls of what appeared to be the same vacuum seal bag material as the bag that contained the marijuana buds, and numerous white envelopes containing cash. The total sum written on the envelopes exceeded $35,000. The task force proceeded with the investigation and seized the truck and cash. The man spent a week in jail before he bonded out. He was charged with a third degree misdemeanor for possession of more than an ounce of marijuana, and a Class A misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia. DEA has adopted the case regarding the seizure of the truck and cash. The county drug task force was able to enhance each charge by one class because the park is considered a drug free zone. [Submitted by Cindy Purcell, Chief Ranger]
Gordon
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “RAM” wrote:
> does anyone care to speculate what these fellows were doing in the way of a plan and skill set? Nice moonless ascent by the rescuers
They did have a plan. Little light on contingencies. Skills, even lighter.
Gordon
RAM
Climbing, not Canyoning,so a bit OT, but does anyone care to speculate what these fellows were doing in the way of a plan and skill set? Nice moonless ascent by the rescuers
Devils Tower National Monument (WY) Five Climbers Rescued In All-Night Operation
On October 30th, rangers received a phone call from Crook County dispatch regarding a group of climbers who were stuck on the south side of Devils Tower with a rope caught in a crack. They had no headlamps or proper cold weather clothing and had only a little food and water with them. The five climbers, all from Iowa, were on a single-day climb to the summit via the Durrance Route when the incident occurred. Two of them reached the summit around 4 p.m. The climbers then descended to The Meadows, a relatively flat section on the south side of Devils Tower about 120 feet from the summit. One of them rappelled to a point about 140 feet below The Meadows. The plan was for the remaining four to pull the rope back up, for three of them to be lowered, and for the fifth and final person to rappel down and join them. The rope, however, got stuck. The first climber then called for assistance. Rangers Drew Gilmour, Tim Raaf and Joe Stiver responded and enlisted three local climbers – Keith Noback, Dave Schrall, and Chris Engle – in the rescue operation. Noback and Schrall started climbing the Durrance Route at 10 p.m., reaching the stranded climbers at 4 a.m. Noback, a local doctor, completed a brief medical assessment of the climbers, with particular attention to the possibility of hypothermia. All five climbers were cold and tired, but able to complete the rappel down. Engle, waiting at the bottom of the Durrance Route, sent the climbers down the last 120 foot rappel to awaiting rangers and local fire and EMS personnel. All climbers returned safely, with only minor signs of hypothermia. The temperature at 3:30 a.m. was 33 degrees, with light snow falling and winds blowing from 25 to 30 mph and gusting to 45 mph. This was the third climbing search and rescue operation conducted in the park this year. Gilmour, the park’s chief ranger, was IC. Stive handled communications, and Raff logistics. [Submitted by Tim Raaf, Seasonal Ranger]
RAM
Canyon De Chelly National Monument (AZ) Severe Thunderstorms Pound Park
Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding have affected park operations at Canyon de Chelly since the monsoon season started several weeks ago. Large floods on August 1st destroyed the footbridge to Antelope House and made upper reaches of the canyons impassible. On August 3rd, with thunderstorms building again, members of the park staff were closing the visitor center when they saw a tornado just north of the park. Heavy rains in the mountains also caused a small earthen dam to fail. Due to all the excitement, rumors started around 8 p.m. that Tsaile Dam at the head of Del Muerto Canyon had failed and that Chinle was going to be flooded. The park was inundated with calls asking about flooding and the Navajo Nation radio began reporting the incident. Although they knew the dam was not in danger, the Navajo Police Department declared an emergency because they anticipated flooding due to the heavy rains and the already high water levels. An incident command post was established in Chinle to handle the coordination between agencies for the emergency response. The canyon and park campground were closed and other low lying areas were placed under a voluntary evacuation order. Campers and local evacuees were moved to the Chinle Community Center, where a temporary shelter was established. At midnight, members of the park’s SAR staff hiked down into the canyon to Antelope House to warn an overnight camping group of Girl Scouts to move to higher ground. Water levels rose to very high levels early in the morning and continued through the next day. On the morning of August 4th, with the canyon impassible to vehicles, the park received a call from a historic preservation trail crew that a canyon resident had been reported to them as unconscious due to a diabetic condition. Family members and the patient were working their way upstream using a vehicle and tractor to get through the stream crossings to a wide spot in the canyon. The park called in a medevac helicopter from Winslow and directed it to a landing site near the location where the family was waiting. The patient was still unconscious and was transported to the Chinle Indian Health Services hospital for treatment. After treatment, he recovered and was released later that evening. [Submitted by Tom Clark, Superintendent]
Grand Canyon National Park (AZ) Rangers Free Boats Stranded At Crystal Rapid
On Monday afternoon, rangers freed the second of two boats which became stranded over the weekend at Crystal Rapid on the Colorado River. On Friday afternoon, park dispatch received a report of a boat stuck on the rock garden at Crystal Rapid. River and search and rescue rangers and the park’s inflatable Zodiac were flown by helicopter to a nearby beach, where it was determined that one of two motorized rafts in a Western River Expeditions boat trip had become stranded at the top of the rock garden. The Zodiac was launched to rescue the boat’s passengers, and, by 8 p.m., the 16 passengers and crew had been transported to shore, where they set up camp. The other raft in the party continued on to Lower Tuna. The following morning, an Outdoors Unlimited oar-powered raft became stranded at the same location as rescuers were attempting retrieval of the Western raft. Rescuers already on the scene quickly rescued the boat’s operator and transported her to shore, where she rejoined the Outdoors Unlimited trip. On Saturday, a separate Western river trip passed through the area and picked up half of the passengers from the stranded boat on the original trip. On Sunday, a raft sent by Western to take the place of the stranded raft arrived at Crystal Rapid, resupplied the Outdoors Unlimited trip which had lost gear when its boat flipped, then picked up the remaining passengers and crew from the original Western trip so that they could continue down the river and rejoin the rest of their group. Once resupplied, the Outdoors Unlimited trip also continued down the river. Their boat was freed late in the day on Sunday and tied to shore downriver of the rapid so that Outdoors Unlimited could retrieve it at a later date. On Monday, after unloading and partially de-rigging the raft to lighten its load, rangers were able to free the Western raft, which was reloaded and rigged and continued downstream to the takeout at Pearce Ferry. No injuries to either boating party were reported. [Submitted by Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
RAM
Zion National Park (UT) Two Short-Haul Rescues Conducted Over Two Days
After much rigorous planning, training and implementation, the park launched its short-haul program with two missions on two consecutive days last week. On Friday, a 61-year-old man from Salt Lake City suffered an angulated ankle fracture while in the upper reaches of the Left Fork of North Creek, an area popularly known as “The Subway.” He was short-hauled out, transferred to an ambulance, and taken to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, with ranger/paramedic Rob Wissinger as his attendant during the operation. On Saturday afternoon, a severe thunderstorm dropped an inch of rain in less than a half hour in some areas of the park, causing flashfloods in several canyons. One was Spry Canyon. The mouth of that canyon is visible from the switchbacks on the main park road. After the storm passed, an off-duty ranger reported seeing a flashing light at the top of the last rappel in that canyon. Two rangers investigated and found that three men had been flushed out of the canyon by the flood; two had been washed over 40-foot and 60-foot drops and a third had been washed over the 40-foot drop and was at the top of the 60-foot drop. Two of the three men had sustained potentially life-threatening injuries requiring immediate evacuation, so a short-haul operation was conducted. The two men were then transferred to two different Classic Lifeguard air-ambulances and flown to Dixie Regional Medical Center, where they underwent surgery. The third injured man was assisted out by foot, then transported by ground ambulance to the medical center. The rescue effort required the use of about 20 park personnel and three helicopters. Paramedic/rangers Wissinger and Brandon Torres were involved. [Submitted by Cindy Purcell, Chief Ranger] Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ,UT)
Greek Visitor Falls To Death At Horseshoe Bend Overlook
Rangers responding to a report of a man falling from a cliff at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook last Saturday found the body of a 20-year-old man at the base of the cliff near the Colorado River. He was identified as a Greek national who had been traveling with a small tour group. He’d fallen about 600 feet. Rangers and county deputies recovered the body with the assistance of a helicopter and crew from Grand Canyon and transferred it to the county medical examiner. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation in coordination with the National Park Service. [Submitted by Erin Frackleton]
phil
Same canyon, though never had issues with the amoebas (but I always keep my ears and nose out of hot spring water). Nice canyon hike in the Lake Mead area.
It is a shame more people don’t realize how strong these western rivers can be; we always wear life jackets when we go for swims on river trips.
Phillip
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “RAM” wrote:
Isn’t this the route that has the hot springs with bugs bad for you? Seem to remember hearing about that canyon? Messin with that river is a dangerous game. Better to have your Seyvor pool toy. Sigh
> Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV) > Search Underway For Presumed Drowning Victim
A search is underway for an 18-year-old Nevada man who disappeared Monday afternoon while swimming in the Colorado River. He is presumed to have drowned. The man was swimming in the river with two friends when they decided that the current was too strong and started swimming back to shore. His friends made it, but he began struggling and went underwater. The river current through Black Canyon averages from three to six miles per hour. The three men had hiked down to the river through Gold Strike Canyon following a popular route from Highway 93 between the Hacienda Hotel and the eastbound Hoover Dam security checkpoint. His friends called for help just before 4 p.m. after hiking two miles from the riverbank to the trailhead in order get cell phone reception. Las Vegas Metro Police Search and Rescue searched the area by air and park rangers by water, but there was no sign of him. Efforts at locating him continue. His identity is being withheld pending the completion of the preliminary investigation. [Submitted by Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer] >
RAM
Isn’t this the route that has the hot springs with bugs bad for you? Seem to remember hearing about that canyon? Messin with that river is a dangerous game. Better to have your Seyvor pool toy. Sigh
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV) Search Underway For Presumed Drowning Victim
A search is underway for an 18-year-old Nevada man who disappeared Monday afternoon while swimming in the Colorado River. He is presumed to have drowned. The man was swimming in the river with two friends when they decided that the current was too strong and started swimming back to shore. His friends made it, but he began struggling and went underwater. The river current through Black Canyon averages from three to six miles per hour. The three men had hiked down to the river through Gold Strike Canyon following a popular route from Highway 93 between the Hacienda Hotel and the eastbound Hoover Dam security checkpoint. His friends called for help just before 4 p.m. after hiking two miles from the riverbank to the trailhead in order get cell phone reception. Las Vegas Metro Police Search and Rescue searched the area by air and park rangers by water, but there was no sign of him. Efforts at locating him continue. His identity is being withheld pending the completion of the preliminary investigation. [Submitted by Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
RAM
I wonder where he wandered off to? Toward Dragontail? How long is that trail. Three tenths of a mile?
Arches National Park (UT) Searchers Find And Save Man Lost In Park
A 75-year-old man left his wife and dog in their vehicle to take a short walk to Turret Arch for photos on the afternoon of Sunday, June 6th. Temperatures at the time were above 100 degrees and he had neither water nor food with him. When he failed to return, his wife went looking for him; when that effort proved fruitless, she contacted the park. Arches staff, later assisted by Grand County Sheriff’s Department personnel and county SAR team members, staff from Canyonlands, and a BLM helitack module, conducted a search that lasted throughout the night. Dogs, a helicopter and ground searchers were deployed during the season’s first period of extreme heat. Ground searchers found the man lying on a rock and not moving about 24 hours into the search. He was semiconscious and incoherent. A park medic from Canyonlands conducted an assessment and provided care, then flew with the man to Allen Memorial Hospital in Moab. He was eventually transferred to St Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, where he’s receiving treatment for a fractured wrist and kidney failure resulting from heat-related illnesses. [Submitted by Denny Ziemann, Chief Ranger]
bruce silliman
I’m sure he does.
bruce from bryce
On Thu, May 27, 2010 at 7:27 AM, hank moon onkaluna@gmail.com> wrote:
> i reckon the highline was used only to cut off (most of) the > exposed/chained sections of the trail and that she was evacuated down > the paved trail. A line to the ground would be a bit much.
Bet Boknows!
hank moon
i reckon the highline was used only to cut off (most of) the exposed/chained sections of the trail and that she was evacuated down the paved trail. A line to the ground would be a bit much.
Bet Boknows!
bruce silliman
From the description of the incident I will hazard a guess as to how they accomplished (based upon one week of extensive training with Zion SAR in November 07). 1. Established anchor points at the point of the fall and somewhere at the bottom near the Observation Point Trail. I would hazard a guess that an A-Frame anchor was set up on the canyon floor and multiple-bolt system was established at the top (easier since the lack of room). 2. The team at the top had a shotgun with a very lightweight wire attached to a projectile which they shot to the team below. The wire was then used to draw ropes for the main line from the high point down to the bottom anchor. Additional ropes may have been ferried back and forth to provide additional materials for pulling the package down the line. 3. A rescue crew probably took a litter up to the victim where she was packaged for delivery. 4. Once packaged with a rope to the bottom, a group of people proceeded to pull the package down the highline. She was probably accompanied by one or two medics for the journey.
This is a very simple explanation, probably full of errors, but should give everyone an idea of what went on. I found a picture of an old rescue that occurred using the Zion tunnel windows. This would be similiar to what they did at Hidden Canyon. Note the A-Frame on the rock above the portal. Well the smarter heads figured out it was a whole lot simiplier to erect the A-Frame in the tunnel instead of hauling it all the way across and up that point in the photo. There are now permanent anchors in the window below, I actually drilled one of the holes for the bolt during my training, and the setup of the A-Frame can be quite quick given a setup has been established already. I posted the photo in a folder called A-Frame photo.
bruce from bryce On Wed, May 26, 2010 at 8:05 AM, RAM adkramoo@aol.com> wrote:
> So by a highline they mean exactly what? They zip her down by the big > Hidden dry fall to the ground? What do they use to make this happen safely?
Zion National Park (UT) > Injured Visitor Evacuated By High Line
On the evening of May 16th, a 50-year-old woman fell 20 feet in Hidden > Canyon. landing on the upturned branches of a dead pine tree. Initial > reports indicated that she had suffered impalement and lost a significant > amount of blood. Responding ranger/medic Ryan McDonald-O’lear discovered > that the woman had suffered two significant lacerations. She was unable to > bear any weight on her injured limbs, but was stable. Accessing Hidden > Canyon requires traversing a cliff face on a three-foot-wide trail using > chains. In order to avoid the chain traverse, rangers constructed a > 400-foot-long highline, but twists were soon discovered in the line. Since > the woman was stable and darkness was limiting the team’s ability to safely > construct the highline, the decision was made to complete the operation the > following morning. Ranger/medics spent the night with her. The SAR team > returned at first light and completed the highline and safely evacuated the > woman. Twenty-four park employees were involved in the rescue. [Submitted by > Ray O’Neil, Operations Chief]
Grand Canyon National Park (AZ) > Man Falls Several Hundred Feet To His Death
Park dispatch received a report that someone had gone over the canyon’s > edge near Mather Point on the South Rim around 5:40 a.m. last Friday > morning. Upon arriving at the scene, which was about a quarter mile east of > Mather Point, rangers spotted a body 400 to 600 feet below the rim. > Witnesses said that the man had run to the edge, then gone over. Initial > efforts to hike to the body were unsuccessful; instead, search and rescue > crew members had to rappel down to the body to prepare it for transport. It > was subsequently flown out via helicopter long-line. Rangers are > investigating the incident as a possible suicide. The identity of the > deceased is being withheld pending positive identification and notification > of next of kin. [Submitted by Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
>
RAM
So by a highline they mean exactly what? They zip her down by the big Hidden dry fall to the ground? What do they use to make this happen safely?
Zion National Park (UT) Injured Visitor Evacuated By High Line
On the evening of May 16th, a 50-year-old woman fell 20 feet in Hidden Canyon. landing on the upturned branches of a dead pine tree. Initial reports indicated that she had suffered impalement and lost a significant amount of blood. Responding ranger/medic Ryan McDonald-O’lear discovered that the woman had suffered two significant lacerations. She was unable to bear any weight on her injured limbs, but was stable. Accessing Hidden Canyon requires traversing a cliff face on a three-foot-wide trail using chains. In order to avoid the chain traverse, rangers constructed a 400-foot-long highline, but twists were soon discovered in the line. Since the woman was stable and darkness was limiting the team’s ability to safely construct the highline, the decision was made to complete the operation the following morning. Ranger/medics spent the night with her. The SAR team returned at first light and completed the highline and safely evacuated the woman. Twenty-four park employees were involved in the rescue. [Submitted by Ray O’Neil, Operations Chief]
Grand Canyon National Park (AZ) Man Falls Several Hundred Feet To His Death
Park dispatch received a report that someone had gone over the canyon’s edge near Mather Point on the South Rim around 5:40 a.m. last Friday morning. Upon arriving at the scene, which was about a quarter mile east of Mather Point, rangers spotted a body 400 to 600 feet below the rim. Witnesses said that the man had run to the edge, then gone over. Initial efforts to hike to the body were unsuccessful; instead, search and rescue crew members had to rappel down to the body to prepare it for transport. It was subsequently flown out via helicopter long-line. Rangers are investigating the incident as a possible suicide. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin. [Submitted by Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Officer]
RAM
Reminds of the Abby story in the Grand Canyon and several other Grand Canyon stories. Luckier than many was this fella
Big Bend National Park (TX) Rangers Rescue Stranded Hiker
Park dispatch received a report of an overdue hiker on the remote and strenuous Marufo Vega Trail on the morning of Friday, April 9th. The hiker, 34-year-old J. Meyers of Austin, Texas, had been issued a permit for a three day hike. The park plane was dispatched and searched the area without success. As temperatures had been in the 90’s for several days, a hasty ground search team started hiking the trail. A horse team was also assembled and started up the trail with medical supplies and extra water. A Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) helicopter joined the search of the narrow steep canyons. Later that afternoon, the crew of the helicopter spotted an unusual blue object on a canyon floor, while the crew of a park plane spotted what turned out to be an orange sleeping bag in the same canyon. Ground searchers were directed to the location and found the missing hiker. They learned that Meyers had become lost on his first day out and wandered the open desert in search of the trail. By day three, he was desperate for water and begun descending washes in an attempt to reach the Rio Grande, which he could see in the distance. As his desperation grew, Meyers climbed down into a steep canyon, believing it lead to the river, but found that it lead only to a 70-foot pour-off above the river. He was trapped – he could see the river below, but could not climb back up the canyon wall. To keep from dehydrating, Meyers chewed the juice out of cacti and took advantage of shade from the canyon walls. He also spelled out the word “Help” with rocks and lit a small fire, hoping it might be seen from a plane. Rangers rappelled into the canyon and then rappelled with him to the canyon floor below, where they were picked up by the DPS helicopter. Despite having filed a backcountry plan, Meyer had changed his plan at the last minute without telling anyone and took only enough water for one day. He did not have proper topographic maps, a compass, GPS, or any other recommended supplies. Without sufficient food and water, it is likely that he would not have survived another 24 hours. Employees from various divisions assisted along with park volunteers and DPS and US Border Patrol personnel. Ranger Joe Roberts was IC. [Submitted by Allen Etheridge, Chief Ranger]