Missing friend in Mammoth Lakes area

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WBraun

climber

Aug 14, 2013 - 09:52pm PT

From my experience with aerial search flights they are generally not very productive for cases such as this one with Matt.

It's extremely difficult to see bodies that have been exposed to the elements for long periods of time.

In a matter of days bodies blend in to the surrounding landscape.

A subject that is covered in florescent material or bright colors maybe much better?

We had an aerial search weeks ago looking for a day old body and the chopper never saw anything even though it flew right over the top of the body several times.

I couldn't even see the body until I was within 20 feet of it.

We missed it the first sweep as we were only 50 feet away what to speak of seeing it from the air.

Maybe Tom Cochrane's "RED camera" may work?

Best wishes for all to finding Matt ......

mattyj

Mountain climber

Truckee

Aug 15, 2013 - 02:10am PT

Cragman -

I'm heading in on Sat to do Ritter / Banner as a 3-day trip. Longstanding plans from before Matt went missing, but we're going to fit some searching in. Was hoping to send you a PM with a few basic questions that might help focus our efforts. You have PMs turned off, I'd appreciate it if you'd drop me a line.

ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber

extraordinaire

Aug 15, 2013 - 02:44am PT

If we get a heavy (upcoming) winter this story may never be solved. Kudos to those putting in the effort now, while conditions are most favorable.

Lori Fairchild

Social climber

Lehighton

Aug 15, 2013 - 09:34am PT

FROM MATT"S SISTER ON FACEBOOK:

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.

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. Thank you. ~ Tiffany

HighTraverse

Trad climber

Bay Area

Aug 15, 2013 - 11:03am PT

We're all thinking of Matt, you and Matt's other friends and family.

tdg119

Social climber

Northampton, PA

Aug 15, 2013 - 11:15am PT

I wanted to say thank you again for all that is being done to look for my brother.

I feel better knowing that a search was done; even if he is not found.

I wanted to share something that I also shared via email w/ Tom.

Matt's last calls were with my parents (3:20 PST) and the repair shop (4:29 & 4:35pm PST) on the 16th. Texting began at 6pm PST and ended at 11:34pm PST. The last text he received but did not answer was at 5:33 am PST on the 17th. I mention this because the phone records seem to indicate he was turning his phone off when not in use; which would mean he'd have to be up and turning his phone on at that time on the 17th. I am trying to confirm with Detective Hornbeck if the last ping traced was from his last call or that last text.

FWIW, we traced who sent that last txt message and made contact but unfortunately the individual does not remember what he'd said and it's no longer on his phone; we were kind of wondering if it's something that would have warranted a reply.

geo_nutt

Gym climber

the big bang

Aug 15, 2013 - 11:49am PT

To matt's sister, family and friends-

Some time ago I briefly lived in the lehigh valley and while I can't say I ever remember meeting Matt my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

Brian

climbski2

Mountain climber

Anchorage AK, Reno NV

Aug 15, 2013 - 12:09pm PT

FWIW, we traced who sent that last txt message and made contact but unfortunately the individual does not remember what he'd said and it's no longer on his phone; we were kind of wondering if it's something that would have warranted a reply.

You might ask the detctive to request that info from the texters telephone company. They may have the text in their system.

tdg119

Social climber

Northampton, PA

Aug 15, 2013 - 01:23pm PT

Hi this is Ron , Matt's brother in law. I keep going back to what the retired cop said about seeing Matt in Minden. We know he for a fact he went to devils postpile, so he was traveling up there. Is there any where near Tahoe (crystal range) in desolation wilderness with snow this time of year? Pyramid peak?

tdg119

Social climber

Northampton, PA

Aug 15, 2013 - 01:48pm PT

Ahh, that makes more sense. Thanks!

crankster

Trad climber

South Lake Tahoe, CA

Aug 15, 2013 - 02:30pm PT

No snow/ice climbing in Tahoe in Aug. The Sierra south of Mammoth has numerous couloirs that attract climbers; Mt. Mendel, N. Palisade & others.
Hard to imagine he'd head there without bivy gear.

han

climber

Aug 15, 2013 - 02:59pm PT

Where is that individual located? Is he close to Matt?
Does he not know that Matt is missing until contacted by you?
Does Matt text him regularly or just that night?
How many text were sent and received from 6pm to 11:34pm?
(I don't need the answers), but if I were that individual, I'd go out of my way to contact family and remembering what the conversation is about. Find it strange that he can't recall anything.

Matt's last calls were with my parents (3:20 PST) and the repair shop (4:29 & 4:35pm PST) on the 16th. Texting began at 6pm PST and ended at 11:34pm PST. The last text he received but did not answer was at 5:33 am PST on the 17th. I mention this because the phone records seem to indicate he was turning his phone off when not in use; which would mean he'd have to be up and turning his phone on at that time on the 17th. I am trying to confirm with Detective Hornbeck if the last ping traced was from his last call or that last text.

FWIW, we traced who sent that last txt message and made contact but unfortunately the individual does not remember what he'd said and it's no longer on his phone; we were kind of wondering if it's something that would have warranted a reply.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Aug 15, 2013 - 03:23pm PT

I am no detective, but that does seem strange. I am sure there are logs of the text if you can get permission from the recipient.

TomCochrane

Trad climber

Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterey Bay

Aug 15, 2013 - 07:05pm PT

processing 100 gigs of video capture now

we were able to see searchers on the ground

High Fructose Corn Spirit

Gym climber

Potemkin Village

Aug 15, 2013 - 07:26pm PT

Tom, very impressive!

Please share your HR photos here if you think we can help look through them.

It's a gift living in this age.

Gal

Trad climber

going big air to fakie

Aug 15, 2013 - 07:51pm PT

Been following this thread. How difficult. Sending good thoughts, hopeful thoughts, wishful thoughts to all friends, family, and searchers.

TomC ~ Very awesome ~ love what technology can do for us!

Crag ~ that's cool you went out on a ground search, look forward to your TR.

@ R.Anderson, I thought the same thing about the textee, that just seems weird (maybe not, but right away, my first thoughts were how odd).

Hoping for you all. It's a tough situation in all aspects.

Ezra Ellis

Trad climber

North wet, and Da souf

Aug 15, 2013 - 07:58pm PT

My thoughts too Ron, investigate that last text, police should have NO problem gettin ahold of it!!!

Good on you Tom Chochrine.
Hoping for the best!

tdg119

Social climber

Northampton, PA

Aug 15, 2013 - 08:02pm PT

For those wondering about the texts; discovered this is actually EST time. Texts night of 16th all w friends; everything AOK. Text @ 2:53 am most likely one from previous night but Matt's phone was off so when he turned it on he rec'd it. Best guess is he'd complained about ppl packing early am (4am) and it waking him up; maybe the case?! The last text was from an older fellow from a climbing gym here in PA; he can't remember what it was but probably insignificant and not warranting a response. Not sure if able to trace the text location wise; trying to get answer from detective = trying to pull teeth. Not real happy about what I've heard about Detective. I'd like to see how he'd react to his own family member in same situation...