Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
crankster
Trad climber
South Lake Tahoe, CA
|
|
|
Aug 11, 2013 - 11:14am PT
|
I noticed the Facebook page mentions that the group from PA is in Mammoth and headed out to search. They are voicing some frustration with the search effort from authorities and want people to contact Governor Brown.
Some confusion lies with the joint county area that surround Ritter & Banner; Mono & Madera Counties. I assume Madera Sheriiff's SAR has been contacted repeatedly to launch a search?
The problem stems from the lack of specific clues as to Matt's possible destination. Seems pretty clear from the torn guidebook pages he was headed towards the zone between Mt. Ritter in the south to Mt. Lyell to the north in YNP.
|
|
High Fructose Corn Spirit
Gym climber
Potemkin Village
|
|
|
Aug 11, 2013 - 12:00pm PT
|
Aerial photo from Secor...
High Traverse wrote
"I would think that the three routes on the North face of the Clyde Minaret would still require a snow/ice approach.
I have traversed the ice field below them, it's a spectacular and exposed location.
They are all 4th class and I believe they are seldom done. Left to right they are
Starr's Route (historical significance)
Rock Route (still requires ice field approach)
Glacier Route (Norma Clyde), only 1 4th class move."
Thinking along the same lines as HT, the Minarets would be my #1 area to search, taking into account other info on the thread and the fact that he was up there on the 11th - seeing all that additional extra opportunity.
So if I had one day to search the area the Minarets would be my pick.
.....
Wish I could be there right now, at the base of the east and north face routes of Clyde. To scope it out. Older written descriptions say they're 4th class ascents (one even "easy") but the aforementioned aerial picture suggests harder.
With one day, I'd certainly try to circle about Michael and circle about Amphitheater Lake. If anyone has already, they should post up.
Nice going, Cragman.
|
|
ddsstyle
Sport climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
|
|
|
Aug 11, 2013 - 12:11pm PT
|
Although I understand frustrations of the friends and family as well as outsiders with this search effort, especially some inter county overlap/politics, they have got to understand how rugged, dangerous, and large this search area is. SAR members are volunteers. Not all of them are capable of climbing in the areas Matt is probably at. The risk to searchers vs the probability of a find must be considered. Given the evidence, SAR just cant throw people at every peak. And even if personnel went out to every single peak in the area, it is the small and detailed areas like the moats where he is likely to be found. Matt seems to wear earth tones frequently (like most of us do now) and it is like looking for a rock in a pile of rocks. You could be 50 feet away and with the wrong angle, totally miss a person. This search is going to depend on climbers like Cragman in my opinion. The prospect of Michael Minaret seems possible. I know I have thought about climbing to Starr's grave site so im sure others have entertained the idea as well. Although I have never done Michael, it seems it can be done in a day and the gear he took would be sufficient. Iron Mountain also seems possible. I believe it still has a large snowfield.... hopes and thoughts....
|
|
Sredni Vashtar
Social climber
The coastal redwoods
|
|
|
Aug 11, 2013 - 01:22pm PT
|
Folks I know from a more specialized alpine SAR unit have been up there for a few days, I don't know exactly where they are searching but they were called in for their mountaineering experience last weds I think
|
|
Spider Savage
Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
|
|
|
Aug 11, 2013 - 03:45pm PT
|
I'm putting my money on Dean & Doug. Two former YOSAR (rescue) professionals who know and love the area.
|
|
ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
extraordinaire
|
|
|
Aug 11, 2013 - 04:08pm PT
|
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 ... Seems like in the initial days sar didn't want to go out - like the were hoping it would just resolve itself. Now almost a month later people are coming out of the woodwork, making grand gestures to search, but for what? Seems a bit bass ackwards.
|
|
10b4me
Ice climber
Wishes-He-Was-In-Arizona
|
|
|
Aug 11, 2013 - 04:57pm PT
|
I think Dean mentioned that a couple of YOSAR peeps went in a couple of days ago.
|
|
oakgirl
Trad climber
Oakland
|
|
|
Aug 11, 2013 - 08:36pm PT
|
I know that most people have assumed that because he climbed Clyde on 7/11, he would be somewhere else. But, I've seen his friends say that he is very methodical and careful. Is it possible that since he was alone, he went back to Clyde because he was already familiar with it so it seemed safer? Maybe explored a different part of it? Maybe wasn't even focused on summitting, but just exploring?
|
|
SalNichols
Big Wall climber
Richmond, CA
|
|
|
Aug 11, 2013 - 09:11pm PT
|
Occam's Razor.
Lacking any specific evidence to the contrary, the simplest/most likely solution is your best bet, and based upon what you all know, which isn't much, cragman is more than likely on the scent.
Which brings me to say to those of us that go wandering about: if you don't want to be rescued, then by all means, leave a note to that effect when you leave your car or trailhead. What this kids family, friends, and all of you out looking for him are going through is ridiculous.
It took us over a year to find Fosset, and he disappeared with a plane. I'm just praying that no one gets hurt in this search, because the "needle in a haystack" aspects of it are so unnecessary.
|
|
Sredni Vashtar
Social climber
The coastal redwoods
|
|
|
Aug 11, 2013 - 09:24pm PT
|
It wasn't a challenge Chaz, just relaying what I know. Couple of the folks I mentioned are former YOSAR too. Many thanks to all the volunteers and the pros, my limited SAR experience tells me how much effort goes into this. Prayers for a happy outcome.
|
|
Rankin
Social climber
Greensboro, North Carolina
|
|
|
Aug 12, 2013 - 10:10am PT
|
Bump.
|
|
TeddyKGBee
Trad climber
Chester Springs
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 12, 2013 - 10:43am PT
|
SEARCH UPDATE:
Hi everyone- the Group is out in the back country as I type. there was no information from yesterday, but they do have the ability to communicate directly with SAR, so any information that they get can get radioed in.
I also heard that SAR had been EXTREMELY helpful and accommodating to this group- Thank you so much!!!
One team went out to Michael's Minaret yesterday, but couldn't get on top. They may try again today. There was also a report that the Clyde Minaret log was signed by Matt on July 11th, which indicates that he signing the logs, as he normally does.
I was also asked to post a request:
Is anyone planning to climb Michael's Minaret or others within the next few days? Also, any other beta is always welcomed. The feedback that everyone has provided thus far has definitely aided in the search.
|
|
mooch
Trad climber
Old Climbers' Home (Adopted)
|
|
|
Aug 12, 2013 - 02:08pm PT
|
Wish I could be part of the ground search. Did time with Sequoia Mountain Rescue (Tulare Co.) A huge suggestion, if no one has considered it....not only check Michael's Chute on the way to Michael Minaret's summit but ALSO Ampitheater Chute on the opposite side. Both chutes are VERY loose, especially Ampitheater. Also cover the traverse from Clyde Minaret to Michael. Lots of mini-chutes and steep nooks...
I will apologize ahead of time to those who feel this is bit "leaning" but this trip report Bob Burd did for our party when we went out to place a memorial plaque on Michael Minaret in 2003 has many valuble photo refereces of specific features such as Ampitheater and Michael Chute. Ran into our seperate issues on that outing too. Again, I am not trying to offend anyone. The title of the TR is called 'Missing In The Minarets', dedicated to the memory of climber/mountaineer Walter "Pete" Starr Jr.
http://www.snwburd.com/bob/trip_reports/michael_minaret_1.html
|
|
Gene
climber
|
|
|
Aug 12, 2013 - 08:18pm PT
|
Below the notch between Ritter and banner.
Message from Dean at 10:45 this morning.
Wishing the best for all involved.
g
|
|
neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
|
|
|
Aug 12, 2013 - 08:18pm PT
|
hey there say, TeddyKGBee...
as to this:
Is anyone planning to climb Michael's Minaret or others within the next few days?e
perhaps, TOO, you could post this as a THREAD TITLE...
there MAY be folks that are not checking into this thread, that just
might be thinking about this climb, you never know...
or shorten it: 8-12-2013,any planning a climb Michael's Minare?
worth a shot...
|
|
neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
|
|
|
Aug 12, 2013 - 08:50pm PT
|
hey there say, i will be a bit 'outreach' and do that now...
|
|
Delhi Dog
climber
Good Question...
|
|
|
Aug 13, 2013 - 01:48am PT
|
Bump to keep this on the front page.
|
|
Fletcher
Trad climber
The great state of advaita
|
|
|
Aug 13, 2013 - 01:53am PT
|
Praying for the best possible outcome!
Peace,
Eric
|
|
Lori Fairchild
Social climber
Lehighton
|
|
|
Aug 13, 2013 - 09:23am PT
|
From https://www.facebook.com/findmattgreene
I'm sure you're all wondering what's going on and looking for updates. I'm in communication with various people throughout the day and basically we're just trekking forward in our search.
Jill & Andrea put up posters anywhere and everywhere and spoke to the car repair shop, library, detective, and the Rite Aid where Matt's last purchase was made, to name a few.
Our teams are still out in the back country looking.
I've gone through Matt's items at home; everything he typically leaves at my parents during these treks as well as all of his records and important files. I gained access to his cell phone account and confirmed what we were already told. Working on access to his hotmail account. We have records of his CC and bank. Nothing "new" - though I saw where he'd written out a very general overview of where he'd be with whom and he'd planned to be home on 8/18 at the very latest.
I wanted to share a few other messages from those looking.
"The guides at SWS have been guiding and climbing the Ritter Range for the last 7 days. All the guides are back at home with no reports of any evidence of Matthew. They and their clients have climbed Clyde Minaret, the glacier route on Ritter, the northface of Ritter, the Ritter/Banner Saddle, the Northridge, and the south face of Banner.
Best of luck in your search and we advise extreme caution and safety in your efforts. Many of the lesser traveled regions in this area are very dangerous."
We've also contacted Ed at SkyTime Helicopter Tours (www.skytime.com - thanks to the person who posted their link on this site!) and he went out looking for us; nearly 2 hours yesterday with plans to take another in-depth look this morning when it's not so windy. Per Ed, "I'm going to take a good hard look and I'll let you know how it goes when I return. Say a prayer to St. Anthony, we are going to try very very hard to find him. May we have good Karma and Mojo, may the FORCE be with us".
Lastly, I know not everyone sees every post on here, but there was a post quite a bit ago with follow up just yesterday that I want to make sure is seen because anything is possible and we need to keep eyes out not just in Mammoth Lakes but all around -
"The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced I saw him in MInden, NV on 8/6/13 at 10:42, walking north on 395. I am a retired cop and new member of Douglas Co. SAR, but did not pay that much attention to the guy at first. He had a backpack with what I thought was a burnt orange sleeping bag stuffed in the top. I saw that he had a burnt orange tent, and that could have been it. I saw the article the next day and reported it to Douglas Co, Carson City, and NHP. His options would have been to take hwy 50 to Lake Tahoe or continue on 395 through Reno and into Calif. heading to Susanville. If that was him I saw that is. He looked homeless, like he had just woken up and his hair was sticking up. He also had a several week growth of beard."
Side note - hospitals were notified of Matt's disappearance, as well as homeless shelters and hostels in the area - not sure how far that notification stretches though.
The efforts mentioned are but a few of all that are going on to help find Matt. There are many people helping in various ways including those who are risking their lives to physically look. I want each and every person to know how much I appreciate everything being done.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!