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GDavis
Social climber
SOL CAL
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Going solo, no matter what level of skill one has....one MUST have someone who knows the details, and is willing to make the call when you don't show up.
Sage advice. On my solo trips out I tell at least two, usually who know the area. I'm sure Matt was confident in his abilities, and there were plenty of times when I told no one - those times are gone.
Been checking in on this thread with a heavy heart.
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ruppell
climber
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Crag
I know, just throwing it out there.
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kstarr
climber
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Still hoping for a positive outcome to this and thankful for all the SAR members who put time and energy into these situations.
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Vegasclimber
Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
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Crag, be safe out there Sunday. I wish I could go, but with the combined travel and altitude all I would be doing is slowing you guys down, I'm not in the best shape right now. I wish I could make it happen, this is a bad deal for sure.
Just so that his friends know, the call for help or assistance has gone out a lot. The team I am on, Red Rock SAR, was contacted by a local Vegas climber to see if there was anything we could do. Unfortunately it's a little out of our capabilities at the moment.
Hoping for the best, regardless of the odds.
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
extraordinaire
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This evening ...
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granite_girl
Trad climber
Oakland
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We climbed Crystal Crag and Laurel Mountain a few weekends ago. No sign of him in either place. Crystal Crag is climbed frequently. It's unlikely that he'd get overlooked if he were there.
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, CA
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Aug 10, 2013 - 12:02am PT
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Great image, Bio. Thanks
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Delhi Dog
climber
Good Question...
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Aug 10, 2013 - 03:52am PT
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bump for hope
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Patrick Sawyer
climber
Originally California now Ireland
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Aug 10, 2013 - 04:23am PT
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EDIT
I think the posters to this thread, including Crankster (who I had doubts at first, judgmental me, but now I think different, after following this thread), we all have Matt's safety in concern.
Let's just hope he decided to let his passions loose, so to speak.
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Anastasia
climber
Home
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Aug 10, 2013 - 04:44am PT
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+1 to Riley.
I don't know about anyone else, but planning isn't in my genes. Now going into the unknown and taking risks is. This could easily have been me.
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tdg119
Social climber
Northampton, PA
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Aug 10, 2013 - 07:39am PT
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To answer the question regarding Matt's comfort level - I heard one of Matt's friends say straight hand that it's very possible Matt would see something enticing and go off trail to check it out.
They also said he's not the type to race to the peak to bag it; that he would time things out to be back and if that meant turning around before reaching summit, so be it.
4 of his friends are on a flight as I post this, 2 more following, so many offers from other that will be in the area. Trying to keep my chin up that they'll bring him home and at peace that they're looking.
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crankster
Trad climber
South Lake Tahoe, CA
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Aug 10, 2013 - 10:16am PT
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Some random thoughts after re-studying the flikr photos:
Taking the big pack white pack instead of the medium blue pack...I can't figure that out. Maybe he had packed his climbing or other gear in the blue pack and the white one was empty. The La Sportiva's are bulky and he thought they'd carry more comfortable in the big pack. Or he had overnight gear that we are unaware of.
Is his helmet missing? Sorry if this has already been covered.
Has the Bloody Couloir on Bloody Mountain been check? Classic line, seen from Mammoth. This would require him getting a ride, however. Someone he met up with would either be missing, too (unlikely) or maybe dropped him off and is not aware he is missing. Probably a long shot.
The weather has been mild. Still a chance!
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tdg119
Social climber
Northampton, PA
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Aug 10, 2013 - 10:43am PT
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The group going are the friends that climb with him all the time; they are not novices and will be in groups and have solar powered cell chargers & rugged Communication devices. Still, I will share your post on the Facebook page (I run it) in hopes of keeping those who don't have the necessary experience from pushing towards the mountains. Hell that's why I'm not part of he search party; I'd need rescued too.
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tdg119
Social climber
Northampton, PA
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Aug 10, 2013 - 10:44am PT
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Cranks ther - helmet was not missing, nor any climbing gear.
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10b4me
Ice climber
Wishes-He-Was-In-Arizona
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Aug 10, 2013 - 10:59am PT
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After retreading the first post, it says his last credit card purchase was on the 16th. Where? Maybe Matt discussed his plans with someone there. A long shot, I know.
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crankster
Trad climber
South Lake Tahoe, CA
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Aug 10, 2013 - 11:12am PT
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In almost every climbing photo he's wearing his blue Black Diamond helmet. Curious he didn't take it if he was headed to climb Ritter or Banner, or any other climb for that matter.
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tdg119
Social climber
Northampton, PA
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Aug 10, 2013 - 11:19am PT
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We don't think he'd attempt a climb alone. Plus his rope, caribiners, etc were all at campsite.
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Deekaid
climber
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Aug 10, 2013 - 11:20am PT
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I think Cragman has a good theory going.
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WBraun
climber
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Aug 10, 2013 - 11:22am PT
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10b4me -- ".... it says his last credit card purchase was on the 16th. Where? Maybe Matt discussed his plans with someone there. A long shot, I know.
This is good investigative thinking.
Better than full speed ahead out of the coral in any ole random direction .......
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Elcapinyoazz
Social climber
Joshua Tree
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Aug 10, 2013 - 11:36am PT
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We don't think he'd attempt a climb alone.
Please do not make decisions based on this thought. Lots of experienced climbers, who would never "free solo" (do technical climbs without ropes/gear), could easily view things that non-climbers think of as "climbs" as nothing more than a steep hike.
Class 3-4 terrain is so easy compared to the technical climbing we commonly do, and is so often encountered on approaches to technical climbs and done ropeless and carrying a pack, without a second thought. People with Matt's level of experience have different views of what constitutes risk, or even what constitutes climbing vs scrambling or steep hiking.
Best of luck to the search parties. I hope all his loved ones find closure soon.
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