Hiker reported missing, 50 below zero!

[Bubbanumber1]

KGD, People die every year in Alaska, there is a huge rescue effort when someone is "Gone Missing" and this guy came to Alaska, has no respect for how things are done, He disrespected the state, the rescuers, and the people. I'm being a critic of this because? For one it bothers me for multiple reasons, some I have not mentioned, Secondly, so that anyone reading this may consider more than just themselves if they get the fever for adventure in Alaska.

Look at the case of Mccandles, he went in the woods and died alone but there again, just off the road. A place where a multitude of people have traveled and a place not even considered that wild. Then for all the "Loftiness" of his adventure, the purity, the self efficiency, he left his corpse there to be found and then the State Of Alaska had spend a incredible amount of money flying out there and investigating to find out who he was and why he was there. I have always been a fan of his adventure but there were incredible mistakes made, huge errors of judgment, I have spent much time researching this matter so Im not just blowing smoke here. It is important for me that I point out mistakes in this circumstance to to try and prevent others form making them.

I would encourage anyone that is planning a adventure in Alaska to get together with local Alaskans, learn how they live, then get some practical experience and learn local customs. Those who have thrived in the Arctic did so by following the lead of the original Arctic Dwellers, not following a road with a bunch of fancy gear.

 

[Ramm9]

Bubbanumber1, I think you are mostly wrong...well more than mostly wrong... considering your insistence on insulting the intelligence of a fellow outdoor enthusiast.

Based on what you have posted, the one thing I see this guy messed up was...he didn't leave a note. Or left a note that was not found.

He left his gear abandoned on the side of the road which was found

left a messy camp for the Troopers to find with no note saying he safe and in a warm hotel.

Guess I missed something about a "messy camp" though.

Bubbanumber1, make up your mind...if every trucker and trooper heard about him you would think his plan was common knowledge...

This idiot is a good example to learn from. He had no plan filed with anyone, did not let anyone know what he was up to.

Every truck that saw this idiot stopped up in Cold Foot at the coffee joint and asked the troopers what was going on.

It reads like he had a pretty good plan and preparation including mailing drop boxes along his route.

Abnormal?

What is considered abnormal is walking down a freaking road in winter time when you can put on snow shoes and take a trail. ......
.. the guys who were out calling this guys name following his tracks around the area looking for him are 100% pissed off.

Why would they be "pissed off"? If they were following tracks in some highly remote area that could be frustrating but in this case why be pissed? Look at your quote below. He "could have just taken off in the snow somewhere", or traveled "one end of the Brooks Range to the other" those activities sound like the real nightmares for searchers.

adventures this one rates about a zero. This num nuts is walking on a frozen road, whoring attention... ... could have just taken off into the snow somewhere. ....walking on the Haul Road having everybody worried about you... whoring attention... Well, its not much to brag about.
Walking and rafting from one end of the Brooks Range to the other.. those are Alaskan Adventures, walking down a road, that just lacks imagination.

What the heck is your problem with a guy walking down a road and where does "whoring attention" enter into things?

has no respect for how things are done, He disrespected the state, the rescuers, and the people.... Those who have thrived in the Arctic did so by following the lead of the original Arctic Dwellers, not following a road with a bunch of fancy gear.

I think he showed and is showing great respect! An adventure within his limits, well prepared, well planned, self sufficient. If he left a note that he had a ride out, there would be no story.

 

[Bubbanumber1]

Bubbanumber1, I think you are mostly wrong...well more than mostly wrong... considering your insistence on insulting the intelligence of a fellow outdoor enthusiast.

Based on what you have posted, the one thing I see this guy messed up was...he didn't leave a note. Or left a note that was not found.


Guess I missed something about a "messy camp" though.

Bubbanumber1, make up your mind...if every trucker and trooper heard about him you would think his plan was common knowledge...


It reads like he had a pretty good plan and preparation including mailing drop boxes along his route.

Abnormal?

Why would they be "pissed off"? If they were following tracks in some highly remote area that could be frustrating but in this case why be pissed? Look at your quote below. He "could have just taken off in the snow somewhere", or traveled "one end of the Brooks Range to the other" those activities sound like the real nightmares for searchers.

What the heck is your problem with a guy walking down a road and where does "whoring attention" enter into things?


I think he showed and is showing great respect! An adventure within his limits, well prepared, well planned, self sufficient. If he left a note that he had a ride out, there would be no story.

Maybe walking down the road in California qualifies one as a Outdoor Enthusiast but not in Alaska. In Alaska you walk out to the road when your in trouble and need help. In fact California has very specific laws against walking down highways and I will not be surprised if this one moron does not get a new law for the Dalton Highway. As a matter of fact I'm going suggest to the Attorney General that there is a law created against walking on the Haul Road.

I do not expect you to understand my point of view as you are trying to use California logic to solve an Alaska issue. That is the basic problem with many people who come to experience Alaska, they truly believe that what works in the lower 48, what is in style in the lower 48, and what is accepted in the lower 48 will also work in Alaska but often it will not and plenty of times outside logic leads to tragedy.

Myself, hundreds of Military, and other Volunteers spent weeks looking for a Active Duty Air Force guy. We were not told anything outside of we had a guy missing. At first the story was he was out hunting, in that scenario we had a missing hunter. Only later would the story come out that this individual was suicidal and that his wife was out mixing it up at the NCO Club within hours of himself going missing but we spent weeks looking for this guy, burned up thousands of gallons of fuel, had helicopters flying, hundreds of soldiers out who could have been training. Then the following spring his half eaten corpse was found with a self inflicted bullet hole in it.

The interior of Alaska is a very small community, pretty much everybody knows everybody else or at least knows of each other. About anyone can be accepted there, what cannot be accepted is outsiders who have no respect for how things are done concerning travel and safety for everyone.

 

[Bushman5]

Amen! +1

 

[Ramm9]

Maybe walking down the road in California qualifies one as a Outdoor Enthusiast but not in Alaska. In Alaska you walk out to the road when your in trouble and need help. In fact California has very specific laws against walking down highways and I will not be surprised if this one moron does not get a new law for the Dalton Highway. As a matter of fact I'm going suggest to the Attorney General that there is a law created against walking on the Haul Road.

I do not expect you to understand my point of view as you are trying to use California logic to solve an Alaska issue. That is the basic problem with many people who come to experience Alaska, they truly believe that what works in the lower 48, what is in style in the lower 48, and what is accepted in the lower 48 will also work in Alaska but often it will not and plenty of times outside logic leads to tragedy.

Myself, hundreds of Military, and other Volunteers spent weeks looking for a Active Duty Air Force guy. We were not told anything outside of we had a guy missing. At first the story was he was out hunting, in that scenario we had a missing hunter. Only later would the story come out that this individual was suicidal and that his wife was out mixing it up at the NCO Club within hours of himself going missing but we spent weeks looking for this guy, burned up thousands of gallons of fuel, had helicopters flying, hundreds of soldiers out who could have been training. Then the following spring his half eaten corpse was found with a self inflicted bullet hole in it.

The interior of Alaska is a very small community, pretty much everybody knows everybody else or at least knows of each other. About anyone can be accepted there, what cannot be accepted is outsiders who have no respect for how things are done concerning travel and safety for everyone.

Well, first, I was under the impression that walking down a wilderness roadway in Alaska qualifies one as an outdoor enthusiast more so than anywhere else in the U.S.

Second, if the guy is trudging down the middle of the roadway, and not moving well clear of of oncoming traffic (somehow I doubt it's bumper to bumper traffic) I'm surprised he made it 10 miles let alone 70+ without taking a rock to the head or becoming your basic road kill.

Third, I guess California has walking laws on "restricted access" highways.

"Then the following spring his half eaten corpse was found with a self inflicted bullet hole in it." What is your point?
Is it that a despondent, mentally unstable airman is a waste of time to search for and try to rescue?

Soldiers could be training instead? What better training than "this is not a drill" field maneuvers. As for gallons of gas wasted, I think three days of the Navy Blue Angeles screaming all over town burn just as much fuel as the search you describe. Blue Angeles shows are a navy recruiting expense, real deal searching is a training expense with a cause.

Again, I think our Japanese visitor was showing great respect, it didn't sound like he walked off in this t-shirt and sandals with a canteen.

Oh, be sure to include banning bicycles on the "Haul Road" they're a nuisance and safety hazard also.

 

[Gautier]

Let me just preface this by saying that I'm in no way belittling anyone or any state.

Having said that; Alaska isn't some mythical place, (as much as Alaskans want it to be) it's just another state. Sure, it comes with it's own set of circumstances and a different climate than many other states. The land itself isn't "out to kill you" anymore than it is in Florida,(hurricanes anyone?) or Arizona,(It was 132F down the road this summer), or California(Would you like fries with that mudslide and quake?) though.

From the sounds of things, the guy wasn't very familiar with the area. To me, that's a pretty valid reason for staying close to the road(s) or even on them. He knew his limits, and planned UNREPs along his chosen route, he met those limits due to weather and so he called it quits. As was pointed out it's one of the coldest streaks to date, so nobody could have predicted it, much less someone unfamiliar with the territory and/or gleaning information based on annual averages.

Now, as for not leaving a "trip plan", or a "note", etc. etc. ad nauseum. Well, you can nit pick all you want about those things. Was it very considerate of him? No. Was it an "Alaskan adventure"? Depends on whose standard we go by I guess.
I think the big thing is, at least he got out there and tried to do something. Did he accomplish what he wanted? Doesn't sound like it. Did he learn something in the process? I bet he did. Do you think I'm asking too many rhetorical questions? I think so too

I'd much rather see people walking down the highways and biways of the states (any state) seeing new sights, meeting new people, getting fresh air, and accomplishing(even if only in part) goals and dreams that they set for themselves, than to watch them stumble along oblivious to the world with ipods, blackberries, pdas, nintendo DS/PSPs/lap tops/etc. Talk about lacking "imagination".

As for all the piety and high horsedness, that can be left at the door. I won't fault a pig for having a shorter neck than a giraffe any more than I'd fault this guy for staying within his limits of comfort. Not everyone has the ability, familiarity, or time/money in some cases, to take on a lofty adventure. Alaskan or otherwise.

Regarding the SAR aspect. The guy was on a, what seems to be, well traveled road. He encountered several people along the way. If anyone was truly concerned that he wasn't prepared or was a threat/danger to himself or others, they could have called it in and he'd have likely been picked up walking along that very same road. At worst, he should get a fine for littering. As far as endangering others though, sorry, it just don't hold water. He was a danger to himself maybe, but hey, it's his life and he's the only one that has to live with himself.

There are entirely too many people these days telling too many others what they can do, when they can do it, how it should be done, and why they can or can't do it. Live and let live I say, and in some cases live and let die. It may sound harsh, but I'd rather have harsh consequences and personal responsibility than 50 different nanny/father/mother figures telling me that I need a trip plan, a travel itinerary, a land permit, a hunting/fishing license, an inventoried list of supplies in triplicate for F&G, the HP, and SAR, and...you get the idea.

Caution is fine, altruism is nifty, rules are tolerable to an extent. There comes a time though, when people should really just mind their own damned business.


Gautier

 

[Bubbanumber1]

It is painfully obvious that neither of the last two posters have ever been to Alaska. Making any comparisons to Arizona or California does not compute for me, Alaska is a giant leap ahead in the survival department.

 

[H2H907]

The AK eats a couple people like this every year, and a disproportionately high number of them are Japanese. Those of us who live here are smart enough to be tucked in front of the TV with a supply of firewood within arm's reach.

Just another state? Check it out some time. When Sean Penn was up here filming In the Wild, he described it as "nature on steroids". No, Sean; it's just nature.

 

[Bubbanumber1]

H2H907, Anchorage is not Alaska, Its a suburb of Seattle

 

[Gautier]

It is painfully obvious that neither of the last two posters have ever been to Alaska. Making any comparisons to Arizona or California does not compute for me, Alaska is a giant leap ahead in the survival department.

The AK eats a couple people like this every year, and a disproportionately high number of them are Japanese. Those of us who live here are smart enough to be tucked in front of the TV with a supply of firewood within arm's reach.

Just another state? Check it out some time. When Sean Penn was up here filming In the Wild, he described it as "nature on steroids". No, Sean; it's just nature.

These two posts are the exact reason I explained prior to posting that I wasn't intent on belittling any person or state. Having been there(so much for assumptions huh, Bubba?) I've seen it before. The everything's tougher, bigger, etc. in Alaska. I find it kind of quaint really, and it's good to have such state pride and a sense of community. Again, got no disrespect for the place or the people there. It's not something to put on a pedestal though, forsaking all others.

New Hampshire has the highest recorded(sustained) windspeeds in the world. Death Valley and the surrounding Mojave have the second highest(just behind Libya) temperatures on record.
Florida holds the title of the most intense cyclone ever recorded on land. The list goes on and on, and Alaska rarely, if ever, makes the top.

Extremes are extremes, and dead is dead. It doesn't matter how; -50C+no shelter+no fire=dead...130F+no water+no shade/shelter=dead...300mph winds+no shelter+no emergency response plan/early warning system=dead. Survival situations come in all shapes and sizes, climates and terrains, circumstances and situations.

If you can't "compute" any other extreme than extreme cold or grizzly bears I'm sorry, don't know what to tell ya, but that doesn't put you a "giant leap ahead in the survival department". That just means you're closed minded and are only willing to recognize a few isolated threats to survival. If you'd like, e-mail me and we can hash out anything you want, and we can talk all about Alaska or us other, lesser, lower-48 states.

Otherwise, let's go with the thread and keep it on track. Could he have done things differently? Absolutely. Let's talk about them and what maybe we would have done. That'd be one of the best ways to help prevent this sort of thing. Educate people on what is advisable, talk about problems and solutions, etc.

I don't know what gear he had, but I'm sure it could have used some revamping considering he turned back. What would we take? Why? Remember there's no hard and fast rules. What works for me and what I'd take are assuredly different than what an Inuit would take.

He survived, whether some want to admit that or not. We could talk about that. Knowing when you're in over your head or when to turn around and head home can PREVENT a "survival situation" in the first place, and we all know an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. There are tons of viable things related to this thread, and I'm sure there are things to be learned.

Chest thumping or turning it into a state sponsored pissing match isn't going to get it done though. Let's try not to let it dwindle into that.


Gautier

 

[Ramm9]

It is painfully obvious that neither of the last two posters have ever been to Alaska. Making any comparisons to Arizona or California does not compute for me, Alaska is a giant leap ahead in the survival department.

Seems you would like to turn this into a discussion about Alaska rather than a hiker on a known highway (trail) in Alaska.

What doesn't compute are your statements that he should have been off on a trail somewhere having a real adventure instead of where he was.

In the best case scenario, this guy got cold, wondered to the road, was picked up and taken to a remote cabin....... Even in these temps, locals on sno gos and dog sleds would be passing by his camp as this is a busy corner of the interior of Alaska compared to what is considered remote by Alaskan standards.

Above is your original post stating "this is a busy corner of the interior of Alaska". A post later he's a moron. It sounded like he secured his camp and caught a ride out until the weather improved. I also get the impression he's returning to the camp and going on with his journey. Once again...he's on a path where he's less likely to get lost, has the probability of seeing people if he's in a jam, has sense enough to get himself out of bad conditions on his own initiative.

 

[Bubbanumber1]

Gautier, Where were you and what were you doing in Alaska? I find your words typical of someone who believes they can cheat mother nature but in the end she sometimes eats her own.

 

[H2H907]

H2H907, Anchorage is not Alaska, Its a suburb of Seattle

Ah, so you are acquainted.

There is truth to your statement, sir, but the nice thing about Anchorage is that it's only ten minutes away from Alaska

 

[gadgetgeek]

Considering that this guy was probably very much an urbanite, maybe the thrill of it all was being able to see the stars for himself. we sometime are so wrapped up in what we take for granted that we forget that others have never seen a tree not surrounded by concrete, or a pond formed by a natural event. yeah alaska is cold, but its not the only place that gets to -50. and yes, the guy should have left a note, but have you considered that he pulled the plug on his trip because he thought no one would come looking? maybe he thought that he was on his own, and that SAR would wait until spring? Maybe he missed that part in his research. as far as everything else, he seems to have had a good plan, within his limits, It is possible that this man had never in his life bought groceries for the next day, never mind had to plan for and carry several days of food. we talk so much here about how we will all do nearly anything to get away from the city for just a while, and this is what this man did.

IMHO he is head and sholders above "wilderness" types who are found on the back side of mountains they shouldn't have been on, and suburbanites who get lost in the state park with nothing but a dead cell phone and pocket fluff.

 

[H2H907]

New Hampshire has the highest recorded(sustained) windspeeds in the world. Death Valley and the surrounding Mojave have the second highest(just behind Libya) temperatures on record.
Florida holds the title of the most intense cyclone ever recorded on land. The list goes on and on, and Alaska rarely, if ever, makes the top.

Well that's just patently untrue. Our per capita rates of rape, incest and sexual abuse of minors is second to none. Take THAT, Florida!

Btw, how cold is it right now in those places? It's -55 F in Fort Yukon today, and that's not even on the north slope. Several years ago now, a native couple and their grandson froze to death on the Denali Highway when their car broke down.

 

[RoyalM]

I'm with most people on this, ie I have mixed feelings.

Good stuff:
The authorities looked for him
He was sensible enough to know when to get out before he died
He had enough spirit to try and be adventurous

Bad stuff:
The authorities looked for him when maybe they could've been better used elsewhere
He didn't bother to inform the authorities that he had quit his walk
He didn't do enough research into what he was facing and proper etiquette for a traveler in this area

For me if I was going to travel halfway round the world to do a big adventure I would thoroughly research it and physically prepare myself for it also. Also as a visiting tourist I would try and seek a local knowledge of the area I was going into and possible hazards. Maybe there is a better option I don't know about? I may not ask permission to go somewhere (eg walk the Haul road) because it's generally easier to beg forgiveness than ask for permission. Then if I have to extract I would inform the authorities that I had and that if they found the gear I had left then not to worry or start a manhunt.

This is just what I would do, i'm not saying it's right or wrong just what i'd do.

 

[misanthropist]

Well that's just patently untrue. Our per capita rates of rape, incest and sexual abuse of minors is second to none. Take THAT, Florida!

Btw, how cold is it right now in those places? It's -55 F in Fort Yukon today, and that's not even on the north slope. Several years ago now, a native couple and their grandson froze to death on the Denali Highway when their car broke down.

Cold isn't the only survival issue though...I have spent about 3/4 of my life in different parts of Canada and I know all about cold. Alaska is similar to lots of places in Canada, and of course there is plenty of potential danger there.

But there is also plenty of potential danger elsewhere. The closest I have come to dying in the natural environment was in California, in the Mojave desert.

Alaska has different survival requirements than lots of other extreme environments, but it isn't necessarily more dangerous than everywhere else. The desert is a very hostile place as well, as are mountains and glaciers.

I do think this guy would have been better off to have made it clear that he did not require a rescue, but things just don't always go in the smoothest, most convenient way. I'm glad he's okay.

Incidentally Japan has some very rugged, dangerous and cold mountain country as well. He might have been an accountant from Tokyo, but for all we know he could have been a well-prepared, highly trained cold-weather expert. We just don't know enough to comment on this.

 

[Ramm9]

Here is a story link that says Mr. Yamaguchi is probably back at it. Hopefully he's better prepared to withstand the climate, somehow I think he is.

The article says he's been at it for five years starting in Argentina. Something in that tells me he has a pretty good idea about what he's doing. It will be interesting to see if the Highway Patrol has anything to say after they have a chance to talk to him.

http://newsminer.com/news/2009/jan/06/trekker-returns-road/

 

[thundermoon]

I for one am just glad that Bubbanumber1 has no opinion about anything, and is never degrading or confrontational in his posts and comments......have you guys not seen him before?

Nothing pleases him more than to argue, watch you'll see what he posts after my comment. He has critized many folks in this and many other threads in different forums, but still will not speak directly about his credentials......I'm sorry, I usually try and not post very often and just keep my opinions to myself, and try to listen and learn....It's not a personal attack on him, he could be a heck of a great guy with credentials out the wazoo, but just won't validate them, which causes one to wonder. I'll shut up now, form your own opinions please, don't let my personal observation sway you.....I just hate to see innocent people pulled into a premeditated arguement. Keep in mind that my post has nothing to do with the right or wrong of the original story, I am not forming an opinion on that, and Alaska is a rugged and tough state this is very true, but there are places in the lower 48 CA and AZ included that can kill you just as dead and just as quickly as AK, albeit in a warmer fashion.

 

[kgd]

One of Canada's National Hero's is man by the name of Terry Fox. Terry, attempted to run across Canada following the amputation of one of his legs (he was running on a prosthetic leg) as a result of bone cancer. His cancer came back during his run and he succumbed to the disease on route. In the process, he raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to the cancer society. More importantly though, he inspired a whole generation of people by teaching us about human spirit, pride and dedication.

I think Terry was somewhat in my heart when I wrote my more vigorous objections to the comments above. I'm certainly not going to equate the Japanese tourist to Terry Fox. Different stories there. However, walking a road and traversing a long distance at personal sacrifice to amenities can be an achievement and adventure as much as other things. I doesn't always have to be jetski'ing across the arctic ocean

Ken