REVISED Missing Elk hunter-Revised, Gold Creek Rd 1703/Milk Creek

[85yota]

I was not trying to criticize anything it was a question/concern..Yakima its been reported that they immediately didnt want people there unless directly involved (road use etc it makes sense) and it was also reported people were told to leave the area hence my point on not asking for all.hands on deck..my point was this is a unique situation because its during  a packed hunting season/area with essentially hundreds of equipt people and it was another hunter looking for elk..I can't argue when u say more eyes looking doesn't mean more success it just doesn't make sense to me..should have made a new thread because this whole sar interests me and know people who want to help but essentially cant..sorry for the hijack

[GASoline71]

We did not find him today.  The search effort will continue tomorrow.

Are they still only wanting folks with SAR, LEO, or Fire Dept. credentials to help search? In between jobs right now and will travel back to WA to search if allowed….

I been turned around in that area before in the fog and snow and ended up hiking down to gold creek. Wasn’t too proud of it.

One thing about 346 and 342 is it can be either a road hunters paradise, or a backcountry nightmare if lost or hurt.  Lots of rough terrain up there.  I too have been turned around in bad weather up there and got very lucky on the outcome.

Gary

[yakimanoob]

85yota, I know you weren't trying to criticize, which is why I separated my reply to you from the comment about not criticizing. 

If you're interested in SAR, shoot me a PM!

[Smokepole]

85yota, I think it would be tough for SAR to enlist random people, because it could lead to more liability than it's worth.  Having spent some time helping Snohomish County SAR years ago, I learned how each individual finds their best role on the team.  Some folks are boots on the ground, and others better helping with gear or manning the radios.  You don't want to send anyone out of their ability/comfort zone.  SAR volunteers do a lot of training in many types of rescue scenarios and everyone seems to find their niche. 

If I wasn't so old, I'd volunteer again.  If you got the boot leather for it, I'd definitely recommend joining and helping out.  It's a valuable and rewarding endeavor.    

[thinkingman]

Don't want to derail thread - but wanted to make sure everyone know about PLBs.

I never knew about these until recently, but Personal Location Beacons (PLB) are cheap insurance when you don't have a satellite messenger.

This just goes to show you how hard it is to find someone off trail, baring a heart attack or traumatic injury in super thick canopy cover where you can't get a signal, these are invaluable to me for these types of situations.  I carry one as well as a satellite messenger incase of a battery failure on either unit. 

They are around $300 and last 5 years before a battery replacement is needed.

This x1,000,000.   PLB, inReach, SPOT, etc. Take your pick, just get one.

Satellite locators make for bored SAR teams 😉

Not to derail the post but I'm thinking of buying one for my 17 yr old son.
Which would you recommend?
Take it to PM so as to not hijack the thread....

[Iveexcaped3]

Yakimanoob did you check his phone for OnX and see if maybe he dropped any pins in the area, I mentioned it to dispatch as maybe a helpful tool but not sure if it was looked into by the time I called.

I’d think getting hunters on 1708 to glass the hill side has a possibility of being effective as we find dang antlers in sage brush and be  out of the way. After this I’d consider joining the SAR team but they’re not doing training this year.

I think everyone here hopes he’s found since at the end of the day we all want to go home to our families. I hope spirts are still high in the rescue teams. Thank everyone involved.

[Caseyd]

Don't want to derail thread - but wanted to make sure everyone know about PLBs.

I never knew about these until recently, but Personal Location Beacons (PLB) are cheap insurance when you don't have a satellite messenger.

This just goes to show you how hard it is to find someone off trail, baring a heart attack or traumatic injury in super thick canopy cover where you can't get a signal, these are invaluable to me for these types of situations.  I carry one as well as a satellite messenger incase of a battery failure on either unit. 

They are around $300 and last 5 years before a battery replacement is needed.

This x1,000,000.   PLB, inReach, SPOT, etc. Take your pick, just get one.

Satellite locators make for bored SAR teams 😉

Not to derail the post but I'm thinking of buying one for my 17 yr old son.
Which would you recommend?
Take it to PM so as to not hijack the thread....

InReach hands down

[Stein]

InReach gives you the ability to text out, PLB's don't.  PLB's are the most rock solid in terms of getting the word out but I have good trust in InReach.  The latter requires ongoing money for a plan, PLB's are one time cost and you're done until the battery needs servicing.

I have both but the PLB stays home these days, just use it on the boat.  If I'm going backcountry solo I usually take both.

For hunting, I would say InReach is the better option, particularly if you have a significant other at home.

[MoparDoctor]

Just read in the Yakima Herald that SAR will use a drone tomorrow to pickup a bluetooth signal from the lost hunter's Fitbit.  If he had a iPhone and it was still running I wonder if they could use the Find My phone app to locate him.  An Apple Air Tag sounds like a workable item in this situation.

[teanawayslayer]

Just read in the Yakima Herald that SAR will use a drone tomorrow to pickup a bluetooth signal from the lost hunter's Fitbit.  If he had a iPhone and it was still running I wonder if they could use the Find My phone app to locate him.  An Apple Air Tag sounds like a workable item in this situation.

that’s interesting. Why wouldn’t they do that day one

[CispusRocks]

+1 on InReach.  Carry the mini and it is my wife’s favorite piece of gear that I own.  Hopefully they ping his Fitbit tomorrow.

[MoparDoctor]

Just checked the web cam at Whistlin'Jacks and the SAR rigs and the mobile cell tower have left the parking lot.

[yakimanoob]

Just checked the web cam at Whistlin'Jacks and the SAR rigs and the mobile cell tower have left the parking lot.

Correct; they moved the mobile command post today. The search is still ongoing though. 

I don’t have any direct knowledge of the questions regarding the subjects phone. That’s all handled by the Deputies since SAR folks are volunteer citizens and don’t have authority to get a location from someone else’s phone.  I can tell you that cell ping records are always checked early in the process, and I’m sure it was done this time.

[MoparDoctor]

Cell service along 410 doesn't exist.  Hopefully they went up closer to the search zone.  I have gotten a signal up on top of the hills.

[fishngamereaper]

This isn't kittitas or yak co's first rodeo with a missing. They have some of the best mnt rescue resources available. If you've thought about it they've already done it. Remember all the resources in the world still have limitations. When those all line up against the missing it's no one's fault.  It's just bad luck..

Still praying for a miracle.