HikeArizona.COM

Posted: **Nov 16 2010 2:04 pm**

Hike Arizona urges anyone interested in searching to post or join an event.

If you go out, please track your hike on a GPS and post it for the benefit of future searches. Simply post it upon return. (if you need help ask the webmaster) Hike Arizona will see that it gets linked to a master map. If you have multiple variations in your group, please post all tracks. As more info is posted the map will evolve and the overlaps will be removed.

Searched Routes

Southern Ravines Map

Forecast Mormon Grove & Peeley

Crews looking for missing hiker
By Alexis Bechman

November 16, 2010
Tonto Rim Search and Rescue volunteers and Gila County Sheriff officers are currently searching for an overdue hiker.

The man, whose name has not been released, was last heard from nine days ago and is believed to be hiking near the Mt. Peeley trail or Sheep Mountain, off Forest Road 201, southwest of Payson.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office first received a call that the man was overdue Monday, Nov. 15 about 9 p.m.

“The hiker has not been heard from since Nov. 7 and frequents the Mazatzal Mountain Wilderness area,” according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.

The missing hiker’s vehicle was located at the Mt. Peeley trailhead.

Six TRSAR volunteers are currently searching the ground. Earlier Tuesday, a Department of Public Safety Ranger helicopter did an aerial search of the area, but found no signs of the man

Posted: **Nov 21 2010 8:12 pm**

The DeLorme / Spot combo is worth the money. It allows you to send 10 pre-defined messages and custom (.50 per) messages to list of pre-defined people. It also sends every message three times and gives you a success/fail status. It’s also has a user upgradeable firmware.

The new DeLorme is also is very good GPS unit on its own. The only downside is that I only get about 7~9 hours out of the lithium rechargeable batteries with the Spot engaged. Without the spot, the Delorme goes 12+ hours.

Posted: **Nov 21 2010 8:41 pm**

Trail Gypsy wrote: I just wish the Maricopia Sheriff Dept-Mountain Rescue- Operations Chief would consider posting his 4th here to help clarify and confirm or deny what is best for us (HAZ and AZH) to proceed from here..

Dave Bremson with CAMRA/MCSO Mtn. Rescue has been in a Search Management class all weekend thru Mon. I am sure he will get back to you as soon as he can.
Thx
Ed

Thanks Ed- David's advise will be appreciated by us all.

Posted: **Nov 21 2010 9:19 pm**

Hows the weather currently out there. I'm out in Chicago so i don't really know.I truly hope he gets found soon and he will be in my prayers. It just really surprises me that nothing has been found yet, such as footprints, gear or something you know. I kinda think if he tumbled some gear could have came off. I wish luck to all who are out to search and hope there are results soon.

Posted: **Nov 21 2010 9:27 pm**

This has been a tough story to follow on a very busy week. Just know your efforts are GREATLY appreciated. I know there are many more ppl like me who can't give time to search, and are thinking positively about the time and efforts given. If needed, I will be joining the efforts next weekend if all goes as planned.

This is just a reminder to me how ridiculously rugged this state is, and to hug my wife and loved ones everyday I can. Also, to order a spot and be better about information when I leave....

Posted: **Nov 21 2010 9:47 pm**

Ckzona wrote:Hows the weather currently out there. I'm out in Chicago so i don't really know.

Go to here http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=15829 and click-on "Forecast" (on hike page black line top-right) for ongoing day and night weather around our search area.

Posted: **Nov 21 2010 9:48 pm**

This is the first time I've logged onto HAZ in over a year. Checking in after I moved from AZ was getting depressing. But I heard some chatter about this on a social media site, so I wanted to get more details. I didn't know Joe except for through this site. He seems like a great guy. My thoughts are with him, his family and the HAZ community during this tough time. I can assure you that if I were still living in AZ, I would have been there with you searching for Joe this weekend.

I know it's been said earlier in the thread and it's completely hypocritical coming from me, but please let someone know where you're going. I'm promising myself to tell my wife where I'm headed from now on, especially since my main passion is now is kayaking. To underscore how critical this can be, consider this: yesterday, I did tell my wife that I was going down to the lake by our house to play in the wind-generated waves. I was practicing some maneuvers far from shore, when I accidentally flipped my kayak. The water is in the 40°s. Luckily, I spent the summer practicing self-rescues. But what if I was not near my house, and had told no one where I was going, and had no skills? Often, this is the situation. Let's all take a minute and promise to be more careful.

Joe, I really hope your just playing out a few episodes of Man Vs. Wild. Hang tough dude.

Posted: **Nov 21 2010 10:27 pm**

I keep my SPOT unit in tracking mode when I am moving, then send an OK when I get to camp and then again when I wake up in the morning, but I have the old unit. My SPOT works pretty well, but the new ones are much more sensitive and have several features (message sent confirmation, protective covers on the "help" and 911 buttons, etc.) and I have heard that they work great. I would highly recommend a SPOT to anyone who hikes alone. I love mine, and so does my husband and my family.

I too keep thinking about Joe, but also all the wonderful people in this community that have banded together to help someone that most have never met. Sincere thanks to all who have helped in the search.

Posted: **Nov 22 2010 4:45 am**

For those who have not yet committed to a SPOT or any other similar device I thought I would share the following: Much like our missing comrade I do most of my hiking solo; and a good deal within the canyons of the Supes and elsewhere. When looking for a tracking device I did some research and decided upon a different solution. SPOT tracking seemed to be a perfect solution, except that there was the annual subscription fee and I found many remote locations where it did not perform as desired due to the inaccessibility of signal. I opted instead for a Kannad 406 Personal Locator Beacon. The PLB works in much the same manner as the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) I had used with my single engine Piper Arrow. It is designed to work on both the 406.28 and 121.5 MHz frequencies, transmitting a programmed distress signal for at least 24 hours (more like 48). These are frequencies monitored by the USAF and more likely to be received (purportedly within 20 minutes) and relayed to the appropriate SAR and rescue agencies. Along with the distress signal message is an encoded GPS location of the PLB. The unit has a long antenna which can be extended when activated. There is no "tracking" per se as with the SPOT but if I am in an emergency situation I figure the only coordinate that anyone really needs is the one where I am located. The Kannad and similar PLBs are considerably more expensive initially (battery alone is about $125 for replacement every 5 years) but there is no subscription fee. The unit must be registered and licensed with the NOAA and there are pretty hefty fines/imprisonment for misuse. It is to be used ONLY for life/death situations, for the obvious reason that those who become involved in rescue upon activation involve military and a lot of other people.
I don't think that those with whom I leave my intended route and return time are really interesting in having their work day interrupted by watching my progress on a hike by computer (nor constantly reminded of the "envy" factor), so "tracking" is only a needle in their sides. All-in-all, I figured I had made a better choice only because "at that moment" when needed, I would like to know that I had done everything and anything possible to aid in my own rescue.

Posted: **Nov 22 2010 7:14 am**

So, is there comparative info on the available PLB's? Size...? Costs?

Posted: **Nov 22 2010 8:12 am**

I've been seriously considering the following PLB. A bit pricey, but if you need it, the cost is the last thing you'll be worrying about!

It has the tracking feature if you want it, but is a true Personal Locator Beacon operating on 406 Megahertz (MHz) and 121.5 MHz. It weighs something like 8 oz.

REI carries these, at least on their website : http://www.rei.com/search?query=plb&but ... button.y=0

Posted: **Nov 22 2010 8:39 am**

Wow... the first thing that strikes me is that there is only a 24 hour function window, but perhaps that is neither here nor there... if the signal got through, they know the location. The initial higher costs are reclaimed by the lack of an annual fee. I could see letting the batteries go dead since the unit has no active function...

I think I'm leaning towards the $149 Messenger Spot package for an initial unit... with it's more versatile use potentials. Ideally, it will not ever really come into use.

What are the costs relating to sat phones?

Posted: **Nov 22 2010 8:46 am**

Phone: GSP-1700 Launch Promotion »
GSP-1700 Satellite Phone for $499 with unlimited airtime voice plan at $19.99 per month. That's 12 months for less than $750 US!
Available in North America only

Start Date: October 19th, 2010
End date for new activations: December 31st, 2010

at: http://www.globalstar.com/en/index.php?cid=1250

Posted: **Nov 22 2010 9:07 am**

We should probably focus the SPOT/PLB information in the other thread rather than the Joe thread. It will be easier for others to find when searching the forum at a later date.
http://www.hikearizona.com/dex2/viewtop ... =32&t=3072

Posted: **Nov 22 2010 9:16 am**

good idea... can the related posts be transferred to that link?

Posted: **Nov 22 2010 9:50 am**

Ok -- We could not go look for our Joe yesterday so I came home and noodled on the maps and tracks & reviewed what nonot had said about an exploratory track from 11/5. It was the least I could do given the weather. Later in the evening, Suzaz & I went over the tracks -- As we zoomed in ( In Hybrid Mode) to the 11/5 track Suzaz pointed out that it seemed quite a mirror to the track on the ridgeline -- which led us to discuss at length.

Couple of questions

1) What about GPS error ? Did error lead him lower on the flank ? Given Joe's familairty to the area -- I'd think not but ....
2) Was Joe looking for an easier access to the access ridge for Sheep Mountain from the north ?
3) If you extend his 11/5 hike approximating the contour lines -- it leads to cliffy areas before it gains some less aggresive topo as you progress towards the Sheep Mt Summit ( converging on the peach theoretical Line)
4) Assuming he was, has this been walked and followed logically towards Sheep Mtn. Perhaps this is what nonot was talking about yesterday as his objective.
5) There is a way point further down the divide trail that seems to be look back at Sheep on N Slopes. Was this a Joe Point ? How old is that ?

Just wanted to throw this out for consideration ...

Ambika

Posted: **Nov 22 2010 10:32 am**

chumley wrote:We should probably focus the SPOT/PLB information in the other thread rather than the Joe thread. It will be easier for others to find when searching the forum at a later date.
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=3072

Yes, thank you and please do this (you can copy and paste), some very informative and useful comments for this more appropriate SPOT related "thread topic"--> http://www.hikearizona.com/dex2/viewtop ... =32&t=3072

Posted: **Nov 22 2010 11:03 am**

desertgirl wrote:Ok -- We could not go look for our Joe yesterday so I came home and noodled on the maps and tracks & reviewed what nonot had said about an exploratory track from 11/5. It was the least I could do given the weather. Later in the evening, Suzaz & I went over the tracks -- As we zoomed in ( In Hybrid Mode) to the 11/5 track Suzaz pointed out that it seemed quite a mirror to the track on the ridgeline -- which led us to discuss at length.

Couple of questions

1) What about GPS error ?
I don't think so as I know from a PM from him on 11/4 that he had planned to try this 11/5 alternate route as a possibility to gain the ridgeline faster, but he did not think it would work due to cliff outs as you mention and he did turn around on 11/5 and head back after only a short mileage hike in; but Did error lead him lower on the flank ? No, not on 11/5 attempt; Given Joe's familairty to the area -- I'd think not but ....

2) Was Joe looking for an easier access to the access ridge for Sheep Mountain from the north ?
Yes, this was the reason for the 11/5 attempt;

3) If you extend his 11/5 hike approximating the contour lines -- it leads to cliffy areas before it gains some less aggresive topo as you progress towards the Sheep Mt Summit ( converging on the peach theoretical Line)..
Yes, it does and he had personally viewed this area realtime a few attempts prior--> http://www.hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=166507

4) Assuming he was, has this been walked and followed logically towards Sheep Mtn.
If you overlay Liz's default route over our primary Home Page search map tracks, you will see that her and Bob's team pretty much hiked that GPSjoe track on 11/19 going in, but more eyes in that area the better; Perhaps this is what nonot was talking about yesterday as his objective.

5) There is a way point further down the divide trail that seems to be look back at Sheep on N Slopes. Was this a Joe Point ? How old is that ?
See the comments on HAZ Home Page- "Map Summary" Comments. I believe you are referring too that 3.7ml in waypoint marker that was place there by me and not GPSjoe, can be confusing (my error) if this waypoint is not understood by first reading this Map Summary before detailed analysis of the "Search Map"...

Lastly thank you two and all the many others behind the scenes doing so much analysis, planning, questioning, and taking actions to help bring our GPSjoe home ASAP..

Just wanted to throw this out for consideration ...

Ambika

Posted: **Nov 22 2010 11:19 am**

Good morning folks, I'm one of the TRSAR rescuers that participated in the search for your friend / fellow hiker Joe, I just wanted to drop in and give all of you my warmest regards. As your search efforts continue, please feel free to keep me posted as to when your group/s will be in the area, perhaps I will get out there with some of you if I'm not called out. As always, please be extremely careful.

Sincerely.

Ernest

Posted: **Nov 22 2010 11:26 am**

MountainRocker wrote:Good morning folks, I'm one of the TRSAR rescuers that participated in the search for your friend / fellow hiker Joe, I just wanted to drop in and give all of you my warmest regards. As your search efforts continue, please feel free to keep me posted as to when your group/s will be in the area, perhaps I will get out there with some of you if I'm not called out. As always, please be extremely careful.

Sincerely.

Ernest

Earnest... thanks for your efforts... much appreciated.

Posted: **Nov 22 2010 11:36 am**

@MountainRocker
That is extremely generous of you to offer even more of your time on a personal level!

If there is a positive note in this tragic ordeal, it's the fact that it has shined a light on how many good people there are still left in this world.

HikeArizona.COM

Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

Re: Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)