Mt. Peeley Trailhead 12/18-19

[Tough_Boots]

Setting up a sign-up sheet for continued search for Joe this coming weekend. It sounds like folks want to coordinate a heavy search of the south side of Mt. Peeley. We'll see what happens with the searchers during the week and also how the weather holds up-- it looks like possible rain at the end of the week. I'll be out there Saturday (weather permitting) and possibly Sunday. Also, if anyone's willing to carpool to the TH that would be awesome. My ride won't make it so I'd love to cram in with someone else. Meet at the TH at 7-ish.

[cabel]

Boots it's Cabel. You know my Jeep and are welcome to ride with me.

[Tough_Boots]

Boots it's Cabel. You know my Jeep and are welcome to ride with me.

Awesome! I'll PM you!

[suzaz]

Here is some info I found about doing a grid search--pretty much looks like we need a lot of people.
http://sarstoriesnews.blogspot.com/2009 ... earch.html

The attachment shows some of the area we want to cover.

[Trishness]

I will be there Saturday morning (weather permitting). Whoever wants to drive in with me from the East Valley, please PM me. I don't have 4WD but have a high clearance X-terra.

Trish

[Tough_Boots]

pretty much looks like we need a lot of people.

Wow... I think you're right. It almost seems like with the numbers we have, it might be best to spread out and work our way through making route choice that would seem obvious along the way. If something is easier to go around or get through another way, it seems like Joe would have done that.

Another thought... what about starting out from the Mt. Peeley summit and working our way down rather than working up. It might make sense to move in the direction he might have and sort of make "what would Joe do?" choices. I also felt that when I was out there searching a couple weeks ago, it was easier to distinguish animal trails and other openings coming downhill rather than up and those definitely draw a hiker in looking to escape the brush. In steep, thick terrain like that, there is a bit (though not much) more visibility moving downhill. Although, the negative to that is I feel it's safer for us to move up than come down on terrain with unexpected surprises. When I searched out there before, I definitely felt more "in control" heading uphill then down. Coming downhill, I almost felt at times that I was letting the terrain guide me rather than stubbornly pushing at a single direction. At one point I remember busting through some brush onto the edge of a small ravine I wasn't expecting and was definitely glad I had been paying attention. Animal trails were more common around these areas and could easily lead someone to a bad fall. This is actually a good reason to search this way but one that also would make us need to be extra extra careful.

[Grasshopper]

Wow... I think you're right. It almost seems like with the numbers we have, it might be best to spread out and work our way through making route choice that would seem obvious along the way. If something is easier to go around or get through another way, it seems like Joe would have done that.

Another thought... what about starting out from the Mt. Peeley summit and working our way down rather than working up. It might make sense to move in the direction he might have and sort of make "what would Joe do?" choices. I also felt that when I was out there searching a couple weeks ago, it was easier to distinguish animal trails and other openings coming downhill rather than up and those definitely draw a hiker in looking to escape the brush. In steep, thick terrain like that, there is a bit (though not much) more visibility moving downhill. Although, the negative to that is I feel it's safer for us to move up than come down on terrain with unexpected surprises. When I searched out there before, I definitely felt more "in control" heading uphill then down. Coming downhill, I almost felt at times that I was letting the terrain guide me rather than stubbornly pushing at a single direction. At one point I remember busting through some brush onto the edge of a small ravine I wasn't expecting and was definitely glad I had been paying attention. Animal trails were more common around these areas and could easily lead someone to a bad fall. This is actually a good reason to search this way but one that also would make us need to be extra extra careful.

All well said T-B! If Gpsjoe is in this area it is most likely because he was coming downhill off Mt. Peeley on his route back, maybe near of after dark.. I would suggest you all plan for the safest way which is more likely going up the suspect side. Also, you may have some additional wetness on those rocky, cliff areas to deal with on or before your scheduled trip.

[CannondaleKid]

T-B: Very good points.

Personally I'd lean toward giving more weight to Grasshopper's comment "maybe near or after dark". Based on how many times Joe bailed very late, especially when returning to the trail head the next morning it's very possible Joe could not make the most "informed" opinion of the "best" route down due to pitch darkness.

I will be out there tomorrow and will be using that logic to search from the Cornucopia Trail upwards into the area of the farthest right arrows shown in the map Suz posted above.

I have a map on my GPS showing another short spur trail just above the Cornucopia Trail that may no longer be in existence, but I'd like to verify that. I hope to get started as close to sunrise as I can.

[Grasshopper]

I have a map on my GPS showing another short spur trail just above the Cornucopia Trail that may no longer be in existence, but I'd like to verify that.

Not that it shouldn't be hike searched again, but just FYI- I believe that this now closed off section was hiked by the TRSAR teams between 11/16-11/20 and is now listed on the HAZ Home Page gpsjoe section under "Searched Routes" map as gpsjoe SAR#4.

[erock]

I have time to help out on the 18th. I'll need to bum a ride up to the trailhead if anyone's got some extra room. Thanks in advance.

[Vaporman]

Great idea with making this hiking event! I was busy sweating away in the Grand Canyon to contribute much this weekend. David of CAMRA got back with me and said they covered this area with dogs, helicopters, and ground teams but this is the only area we've repeatedly gotten clues while the rest have been fairly dry... It's been searched by a handful of us so far and it sounds overgrown, steep, and loose so we'll definitely need our game faces on and play it safe. Hopefully we find some further evidence this weekend.

[CannondaleKid]

It may be Thursday evening before I can commit for sure but so far it looks like I'll be there Saturday as well. I just got warmed up thrashing through loads of Manzanita today so I'll be prepared.

Unless heavy rains create deep mud holes on the road I won't have any problem making it to the TH and could take 2-3 people. (Either shuttling to/from the TH and/or share ride from Mesa near Brown & Recker)

[desertgirl]

What clothing/gear is recommended for dealing with the people shredding/GPS eating manzanita / What worked - what didnt?

[juliachaos]

I've got hiking pants with elastic drawstrings at the bottom. I find those work better than hiking pants w/o the drawstrings, as it holds the bottoms of the pants in place when going thru manzanita and other brush (less likely to reach my skin!). Jeans would probably work well too, so long as they are easy to move in.

I also wear some sort of long-sleeved shell that won't get ripped easily. Wore my soft Polartec jacket up there once and it now has some holes in it. Was just glad I didn't bring the synthetic down jacket to keep warm; that would have ripped open for sure.

Sunglasses to protect your eyes. A brimmed hat may not be necessary, as I've found the manzanita just takes it right off. A winter hat right now is more appropriate anyway, and stays on your head better. Take gloves, especially if they've got some grip to them. Wear shin guards if you have them!

If it's possible, wear bright clothing, so that others can see you better.

[CannondaleKid]

@desertgirl

Everyone has their own favorites and I'm no different, but I did plan ahead a bit before heading into the the brush.

Upper body:
I stopped by Sportman's Warehouse on Sunday and found just the thing in a heavy shirt for use as my upper-body outer armor.
Wolverine brand long sleeve for only $26.99. It felt much lighter than true "canvas" but it sure did the job yesterday going through the Manzanita... not a scratch on my arms. Here's a link to their online store,
http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/spor ... /cat101293
BTW they do have them on hand at the Greenfield store in Mesa.

Legs:
I'm usually a short hiking pants kind of guy but when faced with dense terrain like this, my momma didn't raise no fool so I turned to my Wrangler "Hero" heavy khaki long pants with cargo pockets... Again no scratches, just bruises from pushing through the heaviest growth, mainly on the outside of the knees. (The arthritis in my knees sure wasn't helped by all the thrashing and I can feel it today)
Optional: I suppose something like snake gaiters may be helpful in the rough going, but for me they would just be more bulk and extra weight. I just plan on being a little more delicate when hammering through the densest stuff from here on.

Hands:
I would recommend leather or something similar for gloves, and make sure they have cuffs... the only scratches I got were on my wrists because the gloves I wore had very short cuffs, something I have on my list to remedy today. I wore Mechanix gloves (like those used when working on cars) with a leathery feel on the palms, but I wore through the fingers in a couple spots yesterday. Of course I've had the gloves a while so they were probably worn.

Headgear:
I wore an UnderArmor skullcap (with little hair I need to control the now wide-open pores) topped with a Redhead Boonie hat from Bass Pro shop so I had an extra layer of protection.

Eyes:
I need to wear glasses anyway, but I'd recommend wearing them even if I didn't have to because they took the hit numerous times yesterday instead of my eyeballs.

Feet:
Here I stuck with my normal foot gear, Teva Terra-Fi 3's although I did wear FoxRiver AXT light weight socks to prevent the inevitable scratches that bare skin would receive, and they did the job, not one scratch on the feet. Oh yeah, I wore the tall ankle height socks so had no scratches like the wrists ended up with. Here's the sock detail:
http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/spor ... /cat101560

[Tough_Boots]

Good suggestions by all-- especially eye protection. Up there was one of the few times I've ever been glad I have to wear glasses. Make sure something holds your gps secure. I use a carabiner stretch holster which keeps it close and secure. Also with possible rain later this week, make sure you're wearing waterproof boots. Also, anyone with two-way radios should bring them-- I have an extra if anyone needs to borrow. And finally, the hose for a hydration kit is bound to get snagged over and over again (it did to me) so make sure you have some water bottles or nalgenes.

[CannondaleKid]

I keep my GPS in a zippered pouch that a belt on my CamelBak goes through, and a lanyard connecting the GPS to my pack so I don't leave it anywhere.

I have my hydration hose secured in four places along a vertical chest strap and had no issues with it yesterday. I'll always favor it over bottles because I'm more likely to stay hydrated if I can sip at will.

[SUN_HIKER]

anyone with two-way radios should bring them-- I have an extra if anyone needs to borrow.

I'll bring my set of two way radios

[Grasshopper]

by Tough_Boots » Dec 14 2010 12:21 pm

Grasshopper wrote:I just want to clarify the plan: Tough_Boots is your now planned and posted Sat-12/18 and maybe Sun-12/19 hike search event to take all who show up and try to do a kind-of "grid" search per that pic area attachment posted by HAZ- suzaz on Dec 12 2010 1:22 pm?



That seems to be the plan. With this many folks signed up, we should finally get a thorough search of this area. If we can get multiple people getting hits of this odor at the same time, maybe we can figure out exactly what's going on in this area. Either finding Joe or being able to cross this area off the list of possibilities would be a success. One idea is that if we all fan out and someone gets a hit and can react fast enough to judge where the wind is coming from, they could contact someone in that direction. Possibly, if someone who wasn't comfortable going off-trail but wanted to help could be stationed on top of Peeley with binoculars doing their best to track everyone could orchestrate. This would demand everyone have radio's and gps and possibly the person on Peeley have a laptop and have us check in with our locations every so often (someone with SAR experience might be best for this). This all seems really complex but if we have 10-15 people in the same area, it'd be great to make it as efficient as possible. So far this is just an idea and no concrete plan. Any thoughts?

I am moving this above post from the main GPSjoe forum thread to this more appropriate thread for any additional "thoughts".

[CannondaleKid]

Referencing the smells...

When I was out there yesterday, the wind early in the day was generally out of the north and coming down the slope. Later I felt some gusting from below up toward the summit. Although I stopped hundreds of times to check wind direction and check for odors, I got no trace of anything but normal odors from the various vegetation.

But realistically, this many days in, I didn't expect to smell anything. The worst smells from decomposing are usually in the first 4 to 6 days, and even with the cooler weather by now, a month+ later I would hesitate to say we could could expect any.

That said, I'm not so sure limiting our search to the smells experienced in the last week is the best use of all our resources. First, it's very possible smells are coming from a newly killed animal or bird, second, if we have that big a group there might be some other areas to check further. I still wonder if more efforts are worthwhile along Joe's anticipated route and previous bail-outs.

As I mentioned previously (either in a search thread post or triplog), any "open clearing" area likely can be ignored because the chopper search would have caught anything in the open. So pushing through brush will be the theme of the search. Great, I feel like a tank already.