Hiker missing in Zion National Park

[Reedus]

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=589164

[Iceaxe]

Unconfirmed but I am hearing SAR found the guy alive last night.

:popcorn:

[Iceaxe]

I always wonder who's route description was being used :ne_nau:

Tanya is usually pretty good at providing details to Zion SAR's, she might have more info later on.

Chesapeake Hiker Missing In Utah Park Found

A Virginia man missing in southern Utah's Zion National Park was rescued by helicopter Monday night, according to the man's wife.

Fifty-five-year-old Tom Gerhardt of Chesapeake, Virginia, spent three nights in the park's back country for what was supposed to be a day hike.

Barbara Gerhardt tells us her husband dislocated his shoulder and has some scratches but is otherwise okay. He'll be flying home later this week as scheduled.

Gerhardt left his car Saturday for a hike of The Subway, a narrow chasm in the park's Kolob Terrace section.

Early on, other hikers say they saw Gerhardt entering a canyon leading to The Subway. That was the only sighting of him.

The Park Service sent out a dog and helicopter Monday but didn't find the hiker. Rangers did find a blue wind-breaker, but it wasn't certain if the jacket was Gerhardt's.

The other hikers say he was wearing shorts, a white thermal shirt, hat and fanny pack, and using a pair of hiking sticks. Nighttime temperatures are dipping into the 40s at Zion National Park.

[tanya]

Unconfirmed but I am hearing SAR found the guy alive last night.

:popcorn:

They did. The news grabbed it quick. SAR spent the day exploring slot canyons, RF, NF and I think some of Das Boot. Then late last night the helicopter, using night vision, spotted him at North Guardian Angel. Why would someone that headed out for a one day hike endure so many nights if he only had a hurt shoulder?

A Virginia man missing in southern Utah's Zion National Park was rescued by helicopter Monday night, according to the man's wife.

Fifty-five-year-old Tom Gerhardt of Chesapeake, Virginia, spent three nights in the park's back country for what was supposed to be a day hike.

Barbara Gerhardt tells us her husband dislocated his shoulder and has some scratches but is otherwise okay. He'll be flying home later this week as scheduled.

Gerhardt left his car Saturday for a hike of The Subway, a narrow chasm in the park's Kolob Terrace section.

Early on, other hikers say they saw Gerhardt entering a canyon leading to The Subway. That was the only sighting of him.

The Park Service sent out a dog and helicopter Monday but didn't find the hiker. Rangers did find a blue wind-breaker, but it wasn't certain if the jacket was Gerhardt's.

The other hikers say he was wearing shorts, a white thermal shirt, hat and fanny pack, and using a pair of hiking sticks. Nighttime temperatures are dipping into the 40s at Zion National Park.

[tanya]

I am sure it had to be your route description, not mine. :haha:
I will dig and see what I can find that is allowed to be said.

[Iceaxe]

I always tell everyone it was Tom or Kelsey's route description :lol8:

[tanya]

I always tell everyone it was Tom or Kelsey's route description :lol8:


But you are so much more fun to tease.... :five: we will find out. I am sure its not mine or that would have been the first thing I heard! :lol8:

Does Kelsey have a Subway Route written? I met him a month ago or so. He was headed to Red Cave armed with your trail description and map. What a nice, gentle and humble man. He was nothing like I thought he would be. Hopefully he made it through both his hikes. We talked so long that he was worried. He was doing Red Cave and Birch Hollow that day.

[stefan]

yes mike kelsey does, and even has a route for the entire left fork/great west canyon, from far above das boot.

[tanya]

yes mike kelsey does, and even has a route for the entire left fork/great west canyon, from far above das boot.



I will have to put that one on my to do list. :2thumbs: I want to right fork too from the top too. I tend to only look at Shane's stuff on the web and his Zion canyoneering guide. (It has personality) :cool2: I rarely dig out books for canyons even though I have them. Does Allen have Subway and other Zion canyons in his books?

[Iceaxe]

Kelsey has a description of Subway. Steve Allen has no Zion routes in his books.

I think Kelsey would eliminate most of the animosity toward himself if he would adopt the natural anchors ethics (or bolt appropriate ethics) that has become the standard. Even if that is not exactly what he believes in, it being what the community demands. So give the folks what they ask for.

I've talked with Kelsey several times over the last couple of years. I have always found him to be a really nice guy.

:cool2:

[tanya]

Kelsey has a description of Subway. Steve Allen has no Zion routes in his books.

I think Kelsey would eliminate most of the animosity toward himself if he would adopt the natural anchors ethics (or bolt appropriate ethics) that has become the standard. Even if that is not exactly what he believes in, it becoming what the community demands. So give the folks what they ask for.

I've talked with Kelsey several times over the last couple of years. I have always found him to be a really nice guy.

:cool2:


Men don't change much at his age.... probably not much chance he will. He said he knew you. I did not think that well, :haha: since he only said good stuff. :ne_nau:

[Iceaxe]

He said he knew you. I did not think that well, :haha: since he only said good stuff. :ne_nau:

:roflol:

[stefan]

I think Kelsey would eliminate most of the animosity toward himself if he would adopt the natural anchors ethics (or bolt appropriate ethics) that has become the standard. Even if that is not exactly what he believes in, it being what the community demands. So give the folks what they ask for.

actually i believe he has adopted the natural anchoring ethics. i need to look and quote, but i believe in his first edition of tech canyoneering he does promote the use of natural anchors first, and when at all possible. perhaps he may not go as far as stretching 50 meters of webbing along a slot when there is nothing around. i thought the latest controversy was more the use of the g-pick.

what i believe he was somewhat criticized about with the 1st Edition tech was that he didn't promote it enough, while it's in there, it's not ubiquitously embrazen in the book. this may occur in the next edition, but i am not sure. i wish i had the 1st edition with me at work to point it out.

[tanya]

I think Kelsey would eliminate most of the animosity toward himself if he would adopt the natural anchors ethics (or bolt appropriate ethics) that has become the standard. Even if that is not exactly what he believes in, it being what the community demands. So give the folks what they ask for.

actually i believe he has adopted the natural anchoring ethics. i need to look and quote, but i believe in his first edition of tech canyoneering he does promote the use of natural anchors first, and when at all possible. perhaps he may not go as far as stretching 50 meters of webbing along a slot when there is nothing around. i thought the latest controversy was more the use of the g-pick.

what i believe he was somewhat criticized about with the 1st Edition tech was that he didn't promote it enough, while it's in there, it's not ubiquitously embrazen in the book. this may occur in the next edition, but i am not sure. i wish i had the 1st edition with me at work to point it out.

I might have to throw in this new canyoneering CD again. I was on the computer and just had it playing. Its really long, but I think he was showing that G pick in it?

[stefan]

I might have to throw in this new canyoneering CD again. I was on the computer and just had it playing. Its really long, but I think he was showing that G pick in it?

you're talking about canyoneering the colorado plateau by jon smith?

i haven't seen it yet. i am waiting to purchase the DVD when the final version has been completed. currently they only have the premier version.

maybe it would be of interest to get both and see how it changes. it'd be nice to copy the premier version, and purhcase the final version.

[Iceaxe]

actually i believe he has adopted the natural anchoring ethics.

Basically in the first edition Kelsey promotes natural anchors to an extent. But he also introduced the dreaded "G-Pick". In the first edition he still refers to those who remove bolts as "Wilderness and Ethics Freaks".

I think if Kelsey promoted natural anchors a little stronger, dumped the G-Pick and stated something like bolts for emergencies he would gain more acceptance in the community hierarchy.

I have yet to see the Jon Smith DVD. At $20 a pop I doubt I'll ever buy a copy. I'll just watch Shaggy's excellent video's for free and continue to spend the rest of my money on wild women, fast cars and beer :2thumbs:

:popcorn:

[James_B_Wads2000]

actually i believe he has adopted the natural anchoring ethics. i need to look and quote, but i believe in his first edition of tech canyoneering he does promote the use of natural anchors first, and when at all possible. perhaps he may not go as far as stretching 50 meters of webbing along a slot when there is nothing around. i thought the latest controversy was more the use of the g-pick.


Well I don

[tanya]

actually i believe he has adopted the natural anchoring ethics.

Basically in the first edition Kelsey promotes natural anchors to an extent. But he also introduced the dreaded "G-Pick". In the first edition he still refers to those who remove bolts as "Wilderness and Ethics Freaks".

I think if Kelsey promoted natural anchors a little stronger, dumped the G-Pick and stated something like bolts for emergencies he would gain more acceptance in the community hierarchy.

I have yet to see the Jon Smith DVD. At $20 a pop I doubt I'll ever buy a copy. I'll just watch Shaggy's excellent video's for free and continue to spend the rest of my money on wild women, fast cars and beer :2thumbs:

:popcorn:

This is "Canyoneering The Colorado Plateau" by SUU

I just watched it again and its actually a really good production. It tells the history of Canyoneering. The finished copy is not for sale yet, but its a video to introduce Canyoneering to those that have never done it. I think Tom Jones is taking pre-orders for it on his site.

Those who have never done canyons, I think, will enjoy it. I don't think its really aimed at any audience except to expose people to what canyoneering is. Its nice to see Ram roaming around in it. There are also other people that you guys would be familiar with including a brief shot of my hiking partner on the Zion SAR team (you would have to know who he is though since they are all dressed the same). The video brings up the things that the "canyoneering community" (whatever that is) thinks is controversial. Kelsey in the video says the pick is for solo canyoneering or emergencies. Dave Black counters saying never to use it. Kelsey was also questioned about his hiking times, but he said he adds an hour or two to his times now so its more of an average time. Allen was asked about the criticism pertaining to his publicizing canyons. They brought up many controversial issues and had someone answer them. I guess its good to get an answer straight from the guy that did it. The permit question in Zion of course went to Ray.

[stefan]

i don't think that nat reads this general section, but i'll point him to this link.

as far as the photo on the back is concerned, the placing of the bolt, they felt at that location that it was very difficult to create a natural anchor for that rappel. hence their resorting to the bolt. nat and i thought it strange too that he put it on the back cover.

i don't have the paria guide with me at the moment to look at the g-pick images (and at the moment i don't remember what you're talking about), but i know nat doesn't believe in using the g-pick and has criticized mike for it. i have been with the two of them on two occasions where nat has pointed out the reason for the disapproval of the use of the g-pick and moreover that the holes in foolin' around are still there (haven't yet eroded away).

i believe mike advocates for the use of natural anchors in most situations, but in some situations he may not depending on circumstances. but he still believes in the use of the g-pick (one reason is that he's often alone), which may be hard to shake. what seems to me most possible is to convince him not to promote the use of the g-pick in his books.

[Iceaxe]

Nat is placing a bolt on the back of the Paria guide and not using a G-pick. But this is a perfect example of how Mike could low-ball the bolt problem. This is a picture that I feel should not have been placed in a canyoneering book, particularly on the back cover.

Bolting should be more like masturbation.... we know people do it.... but you don't want to be caught doing it.

http://btjdesign.com/emoticons/6.gif

[James_B_Wads2000]

i don't think that nat reads this general section, but i'll point him to this link.

as far as the photo on the back is concerned, the placing of the bolt, they felt at that location that it was very difficult to create a natural anchor for that rappel. hence their resorting to the bolt. nat and i thought it strange too that he put it on the back cover.


Perhaps I misspoke. The only image of a g-pick I can think of is the one on the back of the new Paria book. I could be wrong; it may be a hammer and not a pick. And I couldn

[stefan]

[quote=James_B_Wads2000]
Perhaps I misspoke. The only image of a g-pick I can think of is the one on the back of the new Paria book. I could be wrong; it may be a hammer and not a pick. And I couldn

[nat]

Yeah, I have to admit I was a bit chagrinned when Mike sent me an advance copy of his book and I saw my picture on the back. I said something like "Mike, are you trying to get me killed?". Anyway, the picture is of me drilling a hole in which to place a bolt, not chipping a hole with a g-pic. I am probably using Mike's g-pic, which also serves as a hammer. We probably could have placed a natural anchor, but this would have required us to go back upcanyon quite a ways (at least a few hundred yards) to find suitable boulders. The ground was too hard to dig and bury a deadman without a shovel, which we didn't have. This was several years ago, and I do have to say that now I would make a more seroius attempt at a natural anchor, probably going back up canyon to farm some boulders.

[James_B_Wads2000]

Hey Nat, there is no need to apologize for placing a bolt. I wasn

[Iceaxe]

[quote=James_B_Wads2000]

[tanya]

Bit more in the news...

Searchers in a helicopter on Monday night found a missing Virginia man who fell Saturday in Zion National Park.
Tom Gerhardt, of Chesapeake, had a dislocated shoulder but was in otherwise good health, said park spokesman Ron Terry.
Gerhardt embarked Saturday to hike the Subway trail, but he deviated north of the route and never found the trail, Terry said.
Instead, Gerhardt walked into steep terrain above the canyon, where he tumbled about 100 feet, hurting his shoulder, Terry said.
Gerhardt was unable to get off the slope. A search for him began Sunday. About 8 p.m. Monday, a U.S. Air Force helicopter spotted a strobe light Gerhardt was flashing, Terry said. Gerhardt was transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George and was later released, Terry said.
- Nate Carlisle

[stefan]

woah! glad to hear he's okay! :nod:

[tanya]

woah! glad to hear he's okay! :nod:


Seems he was head for the Subway --- Kept going toward Das Boot and then he fell. He was where the terrain got pretty steep.

From Bo: I spent 5 hours flying looking for him yesterday; I asked to be on the ground, but the plans had already been made. It was an intensive
search both on the ground and from the air that started sunday
afternoon. By then he was over 24 hours overdue. I wont go into
particulars until the park releases the information, but thank
goodness for "Black Hawks" and "flur"? (Infra-red heat detection and
night vision) capabilities!!!!!! Also..he was located near the middle
section of upper Left Fork, contrary to what I had told you Tanya.
Sorry :-) (East and north of "Das Boot").

[Iceaxe]

Also..he was located near the middle
section of upper Left Fork, contrary to what I had told you Tanya.
Sorry :-) (East and north of "Das Boot").

Here is my take.... many Subway rescues are caused by folks dropping into Russell Gulch to early, so most guidebooks really stress the point about cross Russell Gulch and hike through the small hoodoo saddle. I'm guessing the guy crossed Russell and went for some saddle high up on the ridge. Just a guess, but I like to try and figure these things out....

Just curious.... what's Bo going to think the first time he rescues someone and they are holding a route description he helped write :haha:

:cool2:

[tanya]

Here is my take.... many Subway rescues are caused by folks dropping into Russell Gulch to early, so most guidebooks really stress the point about cross Russell Gulch and hike through the small hoodoo saddle. I'm guessing the guy crossed Russell and went for some saddle high up on the ridge. Just a guess, but I like to try and figure these things out....

Just curious.... what's Bo going to think the first time he rescues someone and they are holding a route description he helped write :haha:

:cool2:

Actually when he stopped by here last night I asked that.... he said he would find out for me who's trail description the man used. He does not know yet. It could be the one he and I wrote? It happens. Rich C. never did find Red Cave using our directions and I am sure there are many more. :ne_nau: I just hope no one ever does get hurt.

Sending people out to get lost is not new to Bo ... before we started writing the guide and the St. George Today Magazine articles... he sent out 3 friends into canyons --- he tells the story often. All 3 ended up getting rescued by the Zion SAR team. I would say they were just wanting the SAR attention, :naughty: but they were men.

We get a lot of emails and people stop by the Tbird and the Outdoor Outlet and tell us if the directions were good often. I keep a link to the Zion group on all the trail descriptions too so people can let us know in the group if there is a problem. But no matter what you do some people are just going to get lost.

[Iceaxe]

Zion National Park News Release
October 24, 2006
Ron Terry 435 772-0160

Missing Hiker Rescued in Zion National Park

A hiker overdue from a backcountry hike in Zion National Park was successfully located and rescued on Monday at about 8 p.m. The hiker, Tom Gerhardt, age 55, from Chesepeake, Virginia, was located off route in a rough and steep area above Wildcat Canyon in the Kolob Terrace section of the park. While attempting to descend into Wildcat Canyon , Gerhardt fell approximately 100 feet down a steep slope and dislocated his shoulder. Because of his injury, he was unable to leave the area where he had fallen and he awaited rescue.

Gerhardt did not complete his scheduled hike through The Subway on Saturday. When his vehicle remained at the trailhead Sunday morning, the National Park Service launched a search effort with park search and rescue staff and volunteers. The search continued through Monday and included helicopters, ground search teams, and search dogs. On Monday evening, a search and rescue helicopter from the 66 th Rescue Squadron from Nellis Air Force base joined the search.

Flying the search area at night, the military helicopter crew detected a strobe light being flashed by the missing hiker. Rescuers were lowered to the injured hiker and he was winched into the helicopter. He was flown to a waiting ambulance, taken to the Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah , and released later in the evening.

The successful conclusion to the search and rescue was possible because the hiker had obtained a backcountry hiking permit which included information useful to the searchers. He had also notified other people of where he was going and when he planned to return. In addition, he did not move from his location and was adequately supplied to await the rescue.

[tanya]

I found out who's trail report the guy was using... no ones! He had heard of the hike and went in there with just the info on the magazine he was given when he paid his fee to enter the park.

[stefan]

I found out who's trail report the guy was using... no ones! He had heard of the hike and went in there with just the info on the magazine he was given when he paid his fee to enter the park.

no kiddin', and didn't want to ask for a map or more info? i know there are different reasons for this mentality but ...

[Iceaxe]

I found out who's trail report the guy was using... no ones!

Thanks Tanya :2thumbs:

Gosh, you mean the map they give you at the entance station isn't good enough :haha:

[tanya]

I found out who's trail report the guy was using... no ones!

Thanks Tanya :2thumbs:

Gosh, you mean the map they give you at the entance station isn't good enough :haha:


I forgot -- he had a chunk of 50' hardware rope with him. Probably better than most. Yeah... poor guy he should have gone with you or me instead of the park. :nod:

[tanya]

I found out who's trail report the guy was using... no ones! He had heard of the hike and went in there with just the info on the magazine he was given when he paid his fee to enter the park.

no kiddin', and didn't want to ask for a map or more info? i know there are different reasons for this mentality but ...


What was going on in his brain I don't know, but many think the Subway is just a jaunt in the park. It is pretty tough and can be dangerous. There are a lot of SAR's in there and its hard to find the way to the right canyon without good info and a good map. Maybe the park needs to put some kind of info saying dont do canyons unless... sort of thing or keep them off their maps and info all together. That little magazine gives so little info for anything.