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pula58 Member
Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 589 | TRs | Pics
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pula58
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Wed Nov 06, 2019 8:44 am
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Schroder wrote: | Or she dropped into the woods to seek shelter and didn't survive |
That actually makes some sense. If I was up there, and it was raining/snowing with high winds, and I had no tent, and I had no way of getting to the lookout, I might head down West into the woods to at least get out of the wind.
Alternatively, she may have tried to head back down to the trailhead (via the trail) and gotten avalanche'd when crossing the area below Sibley pass (i.e., at the head of the E fork of Sibley Creek).
It is a very sad thing, and my heart goes out to all her family, and friends, and Rachel herself.
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BaNosser Member
Joined: 04 Dec 2009 Posts: 198 | TRs | Pics
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BaNosser
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Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:23 am
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Continued prayers for Rachel, her family and all those affected..
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Heydawg30 Member
Joined: 21 Oct 2019 Posts: 7 | TRs | Pics
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Hi. Her car was at hidden lake lookout trail head. Would that trail lead into another if she tried to head back? Also would there be any caves deep in that someone could find shelter in?
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zephyr aka friendly hiker
Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 3370 | TRs | Pics Location: West Seattle |
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zephyr
aka friendly hiker
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Sat Nov 23, 2019 6:44 pm
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Heydawg30 wrote: | Would that trail lead into another if she tried to head back? |
Heydawg, that trail is pretty straightforward from parking lot to the lookout. Here's a topo that you can zoom in and out to see the general direction. As others have mentioned the trail crosses a significant avalanche slope above the East Fork of Sibley Creek. But I am unclear as to how much snow had accumulated by that day. It was still fairly early for really deep snow as I recall. You can see per Schroder's information below where she was when last seen.
Schroder wrote: | Rachel was last seen at approximately 5500 feet at the head of the creek, just at timberline as you start the long traverse. |
She would have been southwest of that last creek crossing (5360') going up I should think. Here's the topo map.
As for caves, maybe someone else could remark. There were significantly large boulders up there close to the Pass--house-sized with overhangs. But actual caves, I doubt it. Caves appear in specific geological conditions. ~z
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Heydawg30 Member
Joined: 21 Oct 2019 Posts: 7 | TRs | Pics
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Thank you for the info. I hope Sar will pick up the search in the spring when the snow melts. It breaks my heart we wont have her home for the holidays. Are there dangerous animals in those wooded areas this time of year? Im still trying to come to terms what could have possibly happened. She is a smart girl and want to think she at least tried to make it back or sought shelter.
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bk Member
Joined: 01 Jun 2012 Posts: 266 | TRs | Pics
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bk
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Sat Nov 23, 2019 9:59 pm
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Any wild animals were likely sheltered (in their dens or holes, etc.) during that weather.
If stuck in wild snow conditions, and exhausted (and in an avalanche-free zone), one could dig a mini snow cave (in place) to avoid wind and trap some warm air (the snow would be insulating) and maybe even get some comfortable rest. (By extension, with a lightweight portable snow shovel, one could build a more elaborate snow cave...etc.)
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Tom Admin
Joined: 15 Dec 2001 Posts: 17851 | TRs | Pics
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Tom
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Sat Nov 23, 2019 10:01 pm
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Heydawg, sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine how difficult this is. There aren't really any dangerous animals this time of year (or any time of the year IMO). Certainly possible but I'd say that would be the least likely scenario. I can think of many more plausible scenarios but best for us not to speculate.
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gb Member
Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Posts: 6308 | TRs | Pics
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gb
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Sun Nov 24, 2019 8:20 am
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As sad as this event and as tragic as it is for family and friends, it is unlikely she suffered much. If she died of hypothermia, it would be something where she just gradually lost awareness and consciousness. Equally possible in stormy weather is that without knowing in poor visibility she could easily have wandered into one of many relatively small scale avalanche features near and along the trail. Even a foot of base snow and then recent accumulation would have made this possible with the accompanying winds. Suffocation would also likely not have been a terrible experience - at least not for long.
We are all very sorry for your loss. To lose someone so young seems especially harsh.
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moonspots Happy Curmudgeon
Joined: 03 Feb 2007 Posts: 2456 | TRs | Pics Location: North Dakota |
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moonspots
Happy Curmudgeon
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Sun Nov 24, 2019 11:13 am
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gb wrote: | We are all very sorry for your loss. To lose someone so young seems especially harsh. |
Yes, indeed.
"Out, OUT you demons of Stupidity"! - St Dogbert, patron Saint of Technology
"Out, OUT you demons of Stupidity"! - St Dogbert, patron Saint of Technology
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Schroder Member
Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 6719 | TRs | Pics Location: on the beach |
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Schroder
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Sun Aug 15, 2021 6:53 pm
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Rachel's remains were found this weekend
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wade63 guitarman
Joined: 21 Jun 2018 Posts: 126 | TRs | Pics Location: Orcas Island |
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wade63
guitarman
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Sun Aug 15, 2021 7:22 pm
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Damn, thanks for reporting. Hopefully that brings some closure to the family and my sympathies.
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snowmonkey Member
Joined: 23 May 2014 Posts: 88 | TRs | Pics
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RIP
Ocian in view! O! The joy!
William Clark
Ocian in view! O! The joy!
William Clark
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Kim Brown Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 6899 | TRs | Pics
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Thanks for the update, Randy.
"..living on the east side of the Sierra world be ideal - except for harsher winters and the chance of apocalyptic fires burning the whole area."
Bosterson, NWHiker's marketing expert
Randito
"..living on the east side of the Sierra world be ideal - except for harsher winters and the chance of apocalyptic fires burning the whole area."
Bosterson, NWHiker's marketing expert
Randito
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fourteen410 Member
Joined: 23 May 2008 Posts: 2628 | TRs | Pics
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If it's not too intrusive to ask, where was she found?
ETA: sounds like she was found off trail on a "50 degree slope" in her sleeping bag under a downed tree. Link to article.
Chatter on FB seems to indicate that Bud Carr (of Sam Sayers infamy) found her.
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jaysway Member
Joined: 16 Jul 2020 Posts: 347 | TRs | Pics
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jaysway
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Mon Aug 16, 2021 8:29 am
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fourteen410 wrote: | If it's not too intrusive to ask, where was she found?
ETA: sounds like she was found off trail on a "50 degree slope" in her sleeping bag under a downed tree. Link to article.
Chatter on FB seems to indicate that Bud Carr (of Sam Sayers infamy) found her. |
I would be curious to know roughly where she was found also, if appropriate. I have a trip idea for the future in an off-trail area off of the Hidden Lake Lookout trail.
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