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TeddyKGBee
Trad climber
Chester Springs
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Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 2, 2013 - 12:57pm PT
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Details of Matt's Disappearance
Overview:
Matt was hiking/climbing with some friends in the Mammoth Lakes region and staying at the Shady Rest campground. Prior to his disappearance he happened upon some car trouble (his Subaru blew a head gasket). Matt stayed behind while his car was repaired at the Norco Goodyear repair shop with plans to meet up with friends in CO down the line. His last known phone call was to the repair shop around 4:30 pm on July 16th, with some texts to said friend around 8-8:30 that same night. Additionally, his last use of credit cards was a purchase in mammoth lakes that same day.
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When Matt did not meet up with friends as planned, it was discovered that his car was waiting, fixed, for over a week and he had not returned to the campsite where his gear was and where he had been paying day-to-day in antipation of his car being ready on the 18th and moving on. Matt's friends called the MLPD, and Detective Hornbeck then called my parents. Matt's cell phone is dead and/or untraceable. It's also possible that it's damaged or he is just somewhere he can't get a signal; there is no way to tell. The last signal was traced to a cell phone tower on top of Mammoth Mountain that was pointing north towards the main ski area.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Matthew Greene is requested to contact the Mammoth Lakes Police Department at (760) 934-2011 or the Mono County Sheriff’s Office at (760) 932-7549 X17.
Description of Matt:
Matt is 39, approximately 5'11", 155 lb, with blondish/brown short hair and blue eyes. He had a blue hat, and was probably wearing a long sleeve shirt with a darker (green/black) short sleeve on top.
Gear:
He was carrying a large black/white backpack (pictured directly in back of his car in the picture), yellow LaSportiva Nepal Extremes boots, crampons, and one ice axe. He did not have his tent, bivvy, sleeping bag, stove, or green heavy jacket indicating he only expected to do a day hike.
Last known contacts:
His Father via phone: July 16th
Friend via text (no info): night of July 16th
Thinking of Matt's possible hikes/climbs:
According to his interest, proximity, and limited information and conversations that he had with others prior to his disappearance, the search has focused on the Mt Ritter and Banner area, Minaret's. OnJuly 11th, he climbed Clyde Minaret, the same day he talked to a local about Ritter, banner, and the cross country hike between Ediza, Iceberg, Cecile, and Minaret lake.
There was also reason to believe that he was interested in climbing Lyell, but that was put into question as to the feasibility of transportation to from Mammoth Lake at an early enough time to do it in one day.
Experience:
Matt was a very experienced climber, hiker, runner, and in very good shape. He'll get on 5.10 trad with a good partner he trusts, but would tone it down when climbing with someone new. He does not free solo as a habit, but is very comfortable on 4th and easy 5th class. He has climbed a few of the classic routes in Tuolumne (west crack, regular route) and a couple of routes in Yosemite around Bishop's Terrace. I believe he has been on tenaya, cathedral and conness in past years. Matt also has a lot of experience in the backcountry and on long hikes. A 30 mile day would be nothing for Matt to consider. He would feel comfortable doing most solo hikes/climbs in the park and surrounding areas.
Search efforts to date:
SAR was out on both Ritter and Banner last weekend as well as had a chopper that covered some of the snow fields for about 30 minutes. The registries for Ritter and Banner were not signed by Matt. Without more information, they couldn't proceed with further efforts. Additionally, to make things harder, the area that is suggested as a possibility is in another county jurisdiction, which makes organizing the search more challenging for allocating resources.
Right now, SAR has put together some flyers asking for anyone and everyone hiking and climbing in those areas to CHECK the registries. Please do so if you're out there and help spread the word. This will be posted at all major climber hangouts in the region, but please help to spread this via word of mouth. The focus areas is in the Minerats right now since the limited info suggests that more so than any other location. However, there is always the possibility of the wildcard and he jumped the YART and headed into the park.
All permit offices were checked and those with permits from the time frame before and after he was missing are being contacted. Matt was known to get an early start, so it's very possible that he could have been the 1st one on the trail.
In addition to the backcountry search, his credit cards, cell phone (which is dead) are being tracked.
Some of Matt's friends are heading out west this weekend to continue to search. If anyone is interested in helping, please let me know and I will get you the details as soon as I have them.
Other Resources:
1. Facebook page: www.facebook.com/findmattgreene
2. Flickr Page with lots of photos: http://www.flickr.com/groups/findmattgreene/
3. Flyer: http://socalcrisis.org/findmattgreene
4. Mono County Sheriff: http://www.monosheriff.org/
5. And tons of news stories (google Matthew Greene, Missing)
INFO MAP:
Here is a map that catalogues the suggestions and some search efforts from this and other forums. I will try to add it as new info becomes available. Please provide suggestions for info to add.
https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zn3r74pmynOE.kUAGPbbv8mwo
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Roots
Mountain climber
SoCal
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Bump! to keep at at the top, but not sure from what I read that he's actually "missing"....anyone have a date of when he was supposed to be back? Did the mechanic tell him how long it would take to fix his car?
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TeddyKGBee
Trad climber
Chester Springs
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 2, 2013 - 01:13pm PT
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After his car broke down, he was planning to stay behind and wait for it. It appears that he decided to do some climbing/hiking while waiting, but never met back up with friends as planned. The last anyone talked to him was on July 16th (his father). His credit card was last used on the 16th in Mammoth Lakes and his cell phone is coming back as a dead battery.
Latest thoughts are that he took a shuttle or got a ride to the meadows and may have attempted Mt. Lyell. MLPD released an official missing person alert and information is being posted throughout the area. Those of us who know Matt are very concerned that he has been out of contact for this long. Please share with anyone that may have been in an areas where they could have crossed paths with Matt.
Tom
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Stevee B
Mountain climber
Oakland, CA
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Not sure about the route from ML, but Lyell from Tuolumne wouldn't have required crampons at present. However crampons are generally recommended so he could conceivably have brought them if he didn't have a reliable current conditions report. The north face is pretty burnt out at present. Are you theorizing that he left out of Agnew Meadows?
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Stevee B
Mountain climber
Oakland, CA
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How tall is he? Ran into a solo thru-runner on the switchbacks from Lyell Meadow heading to (I think) Agnew meadow on 7/14.
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PAUL SOUZA
Trad climber
Central Valley, CA
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Wasn't Greg Stock up on the Lyell Glacier recently? Should contact him.
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TeddyKGBee
Trad climber
Chester Springs
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 2, 2013 - 01:21pm PT
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If there was a possibility of snow, Matt would have most likely taken crampons just in-case. As for starting location, I don't know the area very well, but if he did take public transportation, he may have taken the shuttle from ML to Tuolumne- which has service to the area.
Thanks for the info on the 14th- this would have been on the 17th or later
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Stevee B
Mountain climber
Oakland, CA
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Yeah sorry, just thought if you were trying to piece the puzzle and trying to understand his motivations, it might be helpful to know where he (maybe) had been the days prior if you didn't already know. Looks perhaps like the guy we saw.
Here's a photo of the North side of Lyell 7/14. Lyell/Maclure Col is on the right out of frame.
Good luck and hoping for the best.
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TeddyKGBee
Trad climber
Chester Springs
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 2, 2013 - 01:37pm PT
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Thanks, Stevee- I really appreciate the info and will share it with others. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Tom
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dirt claud
Social climber
san diego,ca
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Don't have much to add, just wishing that your friend will be found and be ok.
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TeddyKGBee
Trad climber
Chester Springs
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 2, 2013 - 03:29pm PT
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In talking with Matt's Friends who were last with him and are communicating with local authorities, they feel strongly that he either attempted Mt Lyell from Tuolumne or Mt. Banner/Ritter in Mammoth Lakes on July 17th. They went through his car and gear and based off of past conversations with Matt, agree that one of these areas were likely scenarios for him. They are leaning more toward Mt. Lyell.
Search and Rescue can't initiate a search without more concrete information on where he may have gone. Until that happens or until S&R makes the decision to go anyway, the hope is that some locals or others in the area could head out this weekend and search these two mountains. If anyone is able to do that, please let me know. I'm not sure if anything formal can get established between now and then (I and several of his friends are on the East coast), but just having people out there walking these areas would be extremely useful.
Thank you!
Tom
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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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A reminder for us to tell somebody what our plans are or leave a note in the car.
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PAUL SOUZA
Trad climber
Central Valley, CA
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Post this as a BOLO on all other hiker/climber forums to get the word out.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Damn. That guy looks really familiar. His picture jumps off the page.
Ever look at mug shots down at the local police station? They tell you not to spend a lot of time, just go through the images. If you see the person you're looking for they will jump out at you. Matt's picture did this.
Unfortunately it's not a recent sighting. I'll be thinking positive stuff about this, hoping for the best of all possible outcomes.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there say, all, will keep this in mind, in my prayers...
just saw this... sure hope they find him...
but first, of course, the area where they think he is...
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PAUL SOUZA
Trad climber
Central Valley, CA
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Kris, I too, had the same reaction. Can't seem to place the face.
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Dr. Christ
Mountain climber
State of Mine
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Matthew Greene is a 39 year old male white, 5’11”, approximately 155 pounds, with brownish-blonde short hair and brown eyes.
hmmmm...
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TeddyKGBee
Trad climber
Chester Springs
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 2, 2013 - 08:20pm PT
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I'll mention to others about interviewing the shuttle drivers. It's been some time since he would have taken it, but perhaps they remember a conversation or reference to plans (or at least confirm that he was on it). For those of you that may recognize him, Matt has climbed for the past 5-6 summers out west at various locations. He is very personable and has a humble personality. He's the first to help out if someone needed something. I can't event count the number of times he helped to get someone out of a jam. Thanks for all of the help!
Update:
Yosemite rangers are going to check the logs on Lyett tomorrow. We are looking for someone to go to check Mt. Ritter. If anyone is or can go out there this weekend, that would be very much appreciated.
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