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Off White
climber
Tenino, WA
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Oct 31, 2013 - 06:55pm PT
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Ron, I think missing adults constitute less than a tenth of that total, which of course is still a lot of people.
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kenish
Gym climber
Orange County, CA
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Oct 31, 2013 - 07:16pm PT
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Matt took off solo without informing anyone of his itinerary or timeline. So, nobody realized he was missing and it didn't raise concern at first. By the time friends inquired with the police, almost 2 weeks (IIRC) had passed. At that point, the trail was going cold along with physical evidence and other clues. As it stands today, the timeline is clear up to the evening before his disappearance. The "place last seen" was in town that evening. Family, police in CA and PA, friends, informal searches, etc. have not come up with any substantial clues after that.
From the campground's perspective, they simply had an abandoned campsite. I'm sure it's a regular occurrence which happens for a lot of reasons. True, Matt had paid reliably and wasn't a deadbeat, but they had no reason to conclude "person in trouble in the back country".
SAR couldn't launch a formal search without more information, but would keep an eye out. SAR is a volunteer effort using their own gas, meals, equipment, and time. As dedicated and interested as they are to help, they can't be expected to search a vast area. Even with an educated guess at areas to search, it's still vast and considerable risk is involved. Several with SAR experience have done their own (risky) searches with frustratingly few results.
That's the broad summary (I've been on this thread since it started)...no action was taken in the important initial days because nobody realized Matt was missing.
<edited to add>: +1 to LA Hiker's post above
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pacarockhound
Social climber
Escondido CA
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Oct 31, 2013 - 07:36pm PT
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Thanks LA Hiker and Kenish for the clarification.
I certainly appreciate all the searching that has taken place.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Oct 31, 2013 - 07:54pm PT
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Those missing persons stats, like so many, are highly suspect in that agencies
that stand to benefit from increased funding are not likely to correct
those numbers when the person shows up later.
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rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
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Oct 31, 2013 - 09:29pm PT
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Those missing persons stats, like so many, are highly suspect in that agencies
that stand to benefit from increased funding are not likely to correct
those numbers when the person shows up later.
I don't think it is really appropriate to introduce this element into this thread. I would suggest that this type of material be brought up in your own thread.
I will not respond to any other posts of this nature. Let's keep this thread on track.
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Dan Watson
climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
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Oct 31, 2013 - 10:05pm PT
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I can say categorically that agencies don't get funding for missing persons. They take a lot of time and resources, with no reimbursement.
Mono County SAR is a very professional, committed, and experienced team. They were advised of the circumstances when Matt was first reported missing. They are all volunteers. There is nothing they want to do more than search and find missing persons or rescue those in trouble. But Mono County is 3300 square miles, all of it rural and remote. The possible areas Matt could have gone to encompass several other counties, all with their own SAR teams. Without knowing which trailhead he went to, there is virtually no way to begin a search over such a widespread area. The campground he was staying in is located in the Town of Mammoth Lakes. It is not a remote location with trailheads nearby. Shortly after Matt was reported missing, it it was determined that a possible location would have been in the Ritter or Banner areas, which are outside of Mono County, the SAR team conducted a training exercise in those areas in the hopes they would get fortunate and find clues.
With the lack of information of where Matt may have gone, coupled with the delay in learning he was missing, Mono County SAR should not be criticized for doing enough.
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FRUMY
Trad climber
Bishop,CA
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Oct 31, 2013 - 10:08pm PT
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^^^^^^
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rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
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Oct 31, 2013 - 10:43pm PT
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Mono County SAR should not be criticized for doing enough.
Having run a SAR team for the NPS myself, I could not agree enough.
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Dan Watson
climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
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Oops, I meant to say that the Mono County SAR should not be criticized for NOT doing enough.
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LAhiker
Social climber
Los Angeles
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Kenish, thanks for your excellent summary. Dan, thanks for your good points re Mono SAR.
Assuming Matt is in some location that can be searched, I think what we need now are (a) more evidence, for instance, regarding his destination, (b) more luck than we've been having, and (c) what may be hardest, the patience to wait until after the snow season...
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
extraordinaire
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I can say categorically that agencies don't get funding for missing persons. Mono County SAR is ... all volunteers. Who had the Blackhawk out there then, some good samaritan that happens to own a helicopter?
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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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Who had the Blackhawk out there then, some good samaritan that happens to own a helicopter?
That almost exactly describes it. That was Sam.
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SplitPants
Social climber
LA
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Given the circumstances I think EVERYONE has done a wonderful job in the search for Matt. Hats off to SAR, everyone that went boots on the ground like Cragman (I am sure I am missing some names so my apologies) and everyone on this thread that has poured their heart and soul into finding Matt.
I think this thread should focus on the positive and a strategy for next spring/summer search along with new updated flyers etc.........
I think the collective minds and hearts on this thread have been of much value to Matt's family and friends.
Keep the faith! Matt will be found.
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Alpineholydog
Trad climber
Spring Tx
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Nov 10, 2013 - 09:04pm PT
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How many days passed before Matt's gear was stored?
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
extraordinaire
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Nov 28, 2013 - 10:04pm PT
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(not my photo)
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Nov 28, 2013 - 11:05pm PT
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hey there say, all...
just remember, as, i saw this thread... :(
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
extraordinaire
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Dec 30, 2013 - 01:40am PT
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Had these (late summer) when I went up to McCloud Lake hoping to find anything - random, but a bump if nothin else.
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pacarockhound
Social climber
Escondido CA
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Feb 15, 2014 - 07:47pm PT
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Matt is on my mind today.
Is Mammoth Lakes still covered in snow, or is there any thaw due to drought and heat in southern California?
Beautiful photos above!
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HighTraverse
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Feb 18, 2014 - 04:20pm PT
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I think of Matt often. I believe he is at rest among these magnificent peaks.
There's now just enough snow in the Sierra to make the Minarets really dangerous. Moats/crevasses may be hidden but not safe to travel over.
All of California is still very short of precipitation for the winter.
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