I just got this info in an e-mail form ci4x4. I am planning on heading down there to help out. If anyone would like to come please post on ci4x4.webs.com or let me know and I can add your name to the list. I am sure it is helpfull the them to know exacly how many people so they can plan groupe sizes. Here is the info:
http://www.stregalicious.com/gps-stu.../mickey-search
http://ci4x4.webs.com/apps/forums/to...ncy-?page=last
This is from Search organizers and part of their initial plan.
Doug, and I went out to the desert yesterday afternoon in an effort to determine the best meeting point for Saturday’s search. We concluded that the best meeting point would be the large parking area just NW of the intersection of Hwy S2 and Hwy 78. The parking area is approximately .3 miles north of Hwy 78 on S2 (Look for sign that says “No Dumping” - N33 06.068 W116 28.477). Please be at the meeting area no later than 9am. At that point we’ll take inventory of what we have in terms of bikes, jeeps, trucks, passenger vehicles. We’ll likely split the group into 3 large subgroups…….
Group #1 will consist of off road equipped and experienced bike riders/jeeps. That group will head over to Pinyon Rd./S2 and follow Pinyon Rd. to the area where the jeep was found near the bottom of “The Drop” (N33 02.963 W116 17.957). That group will canvas Pinyon Rd. in it’s entirety with special emphasis on the area between the Jeep waypoint and the blanket waypoint (N33 03.875 W116 17.239). That group will also canvass the main Fish Creek wash….
Group #2 will head to the Pinyon Wash……the parking area is approximately 5.2 miles in from Hwy 78……..likewise, the parking area is approximately 1.2 miles from the Blanket waypoint and is the most easily accessible path to get close to the blanket waypoint…….the Pinyon wash road is suitable for any 2 wheel drive SUV……parking space is very limited at the end of the wash……we will ask folks to pack tightly in cars and we may also need to shuttle some hikers into the parking area……that group will canvas the 1.2 mile stretch of the wash leading to the blanket waypoint and, depending on fitness level, some members of that group may also turn down Fish Creek towards Harper Flat for a few miles before turning around and walking back to the Pinyon parking area (the Fish Creek turn-off is about half way between the Pinyon parking area and the blanket waypoint)
Group #3 will drive to the Harper Flat Trail by heading east on Hwy 78 to Old Kane Springs Rd……a 4 wheel drive vehicle can easily drive in approx. 1.5 miles on Harper Canyon Trail (once again, parking is very limited)…….we will also ask this group to split in half with some members walking the same 1.5 miles up the no vehicle access wash which is slightly east of Harper Canyon Trail and runs parallel to Harper Canyon Trail…….after 1.5 miles the wash/road converge……..from that point it’s still ~6.5 miles to the end of Fish Creek near the Blanket waypoint which is why the expectation is that this group will walk up Harper Canyon approx. half way or less…… then U-Turn back to their vehicles since Group #2 will cover the other end of Fish Creek near the blanket waypoint……
I’m not sure how much credence to give to the blanket waypoint……I still think Ground Zero should be the Jeep waypoint and we should pay special attention to the area within ~3(?) miles of the Jeep waypoint…….remember, it was likely dark when the Jeep was abandoned…..so you have a 16yr old kid out in BFE who’s tired, cold, it’s dark, no flashlight, no map, doesn’t know the area, etc………what would/did he do?.......I’m thinking he would probably try to get up where he has some visibility so he can make a plan to hike out……..maybe he hiked up to the top of the Drop-Off or (?)……..what would he see from those vantage point(s)???…….the lights of Shelter Valley and/or the glow/noise from all the folks over at Ocotillo Wells (remember, this was Thanksgiving weekend and Ocotillo Wells was packed)……try to put yourself in his shoes…….is there shelter to crawl under to spend the night before heading out the next morning???...etc., etc….
The search area is immense/remote/rugged/open……. each volunteer assumes full liability for any/all risk and/or injury therefore it is imperative that each volunteer be consciously aware of their fitness levels……do not push yourself beyond your comfort level and come prepared with ample water, snacks, hat, hiking boots, sun block, etc.
We’ll return to the S2/Hwy78 meeting area at 6pm.
Strega is hosting all this info and GPS files/maps on his website (THANKS Strega): http://www.stregalicious.com/gps-stu.../mickey-search
