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.
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
Dawn
--On the loose to climb a mountain, on the loose where I am free. On the loose to live my life the way I think my life should be...For we only have a moment and a whole world yet to see...I'll be looking for tomorrow on the loose. ---unknown--
I went to SHeep today and then took the ridge to the divide and then walked all of 201. Any passenger car except for lowriders can make it. I'll post triplog...gps and photos later. I think 201 may be closed because of 1701 which is in horrible shape... because all the others that are in bad shape have nice new gates....
Looking back at the hardest hike I ever did. In Feb of last year, I left the warmth of my truck and began my solo trek in 17 degree weather. The temp would be 37 when I was finished some 14 hours later. I reviewed my track recently(after my most recent trek), and I noticed it took me 5 hours to navigate 2 miles from around the juction of Sheep Creek to the top of Sheep Mountain. I was on the verge of tears when I saw a rock formation that would give me a short break to re-energize.
As I was climbing the ridge to the east this past week, I was startled by 3 deer. I stopped for a few minutes and looked around and noticed the rock formation and remebered the physical and mental anguish I felt that day and I smiled. As a result of the Sunflower Fire, I was able to make it from 627 to Sheep Mountain in under 5 hours. The terrain on the south side for the most part is so much easier to navigate. The north side is easier in some spots, harder in others, but overall I would say its mostly the same. Once my ankle heals, I hope to be out there again searching. I also hope to be flying over there to take some aerial photos this weekend.
rlrjamy wrote:Looking back at the hardest hike I ever did. In Feb of last year, I left the warmth of my truck and began my solo trek in 17 degree weather. The temp would be 37 when I was finished some 14 hours later.
In regards to my October 26, 2012 post on this subject, viewtopic.php?p=85801#p85801, I have taken a few more days and have reluctantly decided not to pursue this matter any further, at this time. Thanks to all that recognized the Post and to those who responded.
Lifeis not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming,"Wow What a Ride!"
rlrjamy wrote:Looking back at the hardest hike I ever did. In Feb of last year, I left the warmth of my truck and began my solo trek in 17 degree weather. The temp would be 37 when I was finished some 14 hours later. I reviewed my track recently(after my most recent trek), and I noticed it took me 5 hours to navigate 2 miles from around the junction of Sheep Creek to the top of Sheep Mountain.. The terrain on the south side for the most part is so much easier to navigate. The north side is easier in some spots, harder in others, but overall I would say its mostly the same. Once my ankle heals, I hope to be out there again searching. I also hope to be flying over there to take some aerial photos this weekend (Re: see 11/2/12 picset..http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=22199 )
I have a new theory regarding GPSjoe's possible exit route back to the Mount Peeley TH:
My new theory is that Joe found some navigable hiking sections in the area of his published "Last Chance Route" to actually summit Sheep Mountain (close-to or after dark) on that Mon-11/8/10. Then, after a short period on Sheep Mountain summit, he needed to quickly decide on an exit route back to the Mount Peeley TH. He knew from experience/prior attempts that the SE Ridge and Ravines were a brutal, time consuming bushwhack to connect with trails- Thicket Spring or Cornucopia. Also from experience (and also a time consuming bushwhack), he did not care for the ridge line route back to connect with the Mazatzal Divide Trail or to take the ridge line back and over Mt. Peeley Summit to connect with the Mazatzal Divide Trail. Also, HAZ/AZH group and individual search efforts along with other official and individual search efforts have spent considerable search time since Nov'10 in these above noted search areas without finding any GPSjoe clues. Of course this having been said, we all know that due to the thick vegetation and difficult to safely navigate the existing rugged terrain on the North-NW-W-SW sections of Sheep Mountain, it is also true that search efforts could have come within a short distance of some GPSjoe clues without noticing.
My new theory says that near dark or after, maybe Joe decided to exit Sheep Mountain summit directly to the WNW, West, or Southwest to try and connect with Sheep Creek Trail #88 then to Thicket Spring Trail #95 then back to the Mount Peeley TH.. http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=2234 (and yes, after this off trail connection to Sheep Trail #88 this would be a longer hiking route for him back to the Mount Peeley TH, but he had not previously tried this off trail route back and I know he was familiar with these trails and I'm sure he had these two trails loaded in his GPS-Garmin 62s for his necessary off trail route reference to connect with them). To date, if I recall correctly, with the exception of Bob's above referenced Feb'11 brutal fourteen hour search hike and Outlander's most recent, we have had additional minimal search effort on this difficult to reach and navigate WNW, West, and SW exit route options from Sheep Mountain summit..and there are reasons for this: with few exceptions, these off trail search areas are not easily accessible for a day hike search effort, but rather better suited for a weekend or multi-day backpack trip. I have often viewed Angela's 11/26/10 pic to the West/SW side of Sheep Mountain 6996 taken from Sheep Creek Trail #88.. http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=168361 and continue to wonder
My pic 13 that Chumley(Todd) edited. The file is big so you have to wait until it fully loads and then you will see a striking diference from the one I posted. Thanks Todd this sharper picture shows so much more detail of this beautiful area download/file.php?id=3093&mode=view
edit: the link isn't working. hopefully Todd will post it when he can.
Last edited by BobP on Nov 03 2012 2:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
@rlrjamy
I couldn't view it either, I got the same message.
Lifeis not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming,"Wow What a Ride!"
In my opinion, visually in a pic It just does not look hike possible by Joe, but he certainly could have tried on his last Mon-11/8/10 outing.
(I've also thought that he would have had a more detailed drawn "Last Chance" track with more planning track points http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=2236 (red route) before actually planning to attempt this option, but we did not find one in his well organized home computer files. Maybe just a simple track plan following that 6400ft contour was all he thought he needed)
I don't think there is a November that goes by without any of the HAZ'ers whose thoughts turn to Joe this time of year. November 2010. Joe Domin has not been forgotten.............
Trish-Kabob
"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds" Ed Abbey
Everytime I drive up and back from our cabin I drive past that mountain range and think and wonder and remember gpsjoe and all the good and funny times we had. Miss you Joe!
Since I'm able to control my ankle pain pretty well now...I plan on doing some searching this week as long as the pain doesn't get any worst. Anyways, I hope to be heading out on Wed to search and setting up a cache for the future searches. If anyone is interested in joining, pm me for details.
@rlrjamy
Just make sure that there are no more Rocks out there with your name on it!!!
Lifeis not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming,"Wow What a Ride!"
rlrjamy wrote:Since I'm able to control my ankle pain pretty well now...I plan on doing some searching this week. Anyways, I hope to be heading out on Wed to search and setting up a cache for the future searches. If anyone is interested in joining, pm me for details.
Route Editor
Route Scout
Take lots!
