My
name is Claus. I am a friend of Larry's and using his computer to post
this message. Larry left on a backpack last Friday, the 19th. He was
due back Monday but has not returned. He went in on the Taboose Pass
trail. His tentative itinerary was to head up, generally, along the
Muir trail toward Mather Pass and possibly climb Split Mt. Then he
planned to head back toward Pinchot Pass and explore some of the creeks
in that area. I have backpacked with Larry before but it was many years
ago and never in this area. I have been trying to help the NPS and
Inyo County Sheriff's department. Does anyone here have any suggestions
as to areas in this vicinity that might appeal to Larry. I know he
often strays from his itinerary and likes to explore new areas. Any
help would much appreciated. Thanks.
- quentinc
- Topix Expert
- Posts: 890
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 10:28 pm
- Location: Los Angeles
Re: Overdue Hiker - Do You Have Any Info?
by freestone on Thu Oct 25, 2012 4:52 am
I ran into Larry last Friday at approximately
10:30 AM on the Taboose trail, about two miles from the trailhead. We
spoke briefly and he mentioned that he was going to explore the area
around Pinchot area, but made no mention of Split Mountain. He was
carrying a Golite pack, using i-Pod ear buds. He said he only had four
days, but looked well equiped. When I got to the trailhead, there were
only 2 cars, his, a Suburu stationwagon, and mine.
Re: Overdue Hiker - Do You Have Any Info?
by The Other Tom on Thu Oct 25, 2012 5:39 am freestone wrote:I ran into Larry last Friday at approximately 10:30 AM on the Taboose trail, about two miles from the trailhead. We spoke briefly and he mentioned that he was going to explore the area around Pinchot area, but made no mention of Split Mountain. He was carrying a Golite pack, using i-Pod ear buds. He said he only had four days, but looked well equiped. When I got to the trailhead, there were only 2 cars, his, a Suburu stationwagon, and mine.
I assume you have given SEKI this info.....
- The Other Tom
- Founding Member
- Posts: 497
- Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2005 6:06 pm
- Location: Upstate South Carolina
Re: Overdue Hiker - Do You Have Any Info?
by freestone on Thu Oct 25, 2012 7:47 am
Yes. I called them immediately and was interviwed by the Ranger in charge of the rescue operation.
"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." Martin Buber
Re: Overdue Hiker - Do You Have Any Info?
by freestone on Thu Oct 25, 2012 9:14 am
Larry looked well prepared and seasoned, but
there was no indication that he was prepared for snow. No gaiters and
was wearing trail runners.I sincerely believed he was aware of the
storm, knew the weather was going to be beautful for the short term and
planned on exiting Tuesday. We did not discuss the weather as I had been
in 5 days and was only aware of the storm via a long range forcast from
Sunday the 15th. All the peaks were dusted with snow and showed no
signs of melting. We talked about the lakes below Split Mountain and
acknowledged their beauty, but he made no mention of visiting that area.
He seemed focused on getting to the Muir, then head south to explore
the area around Pinchot pass. The area was deserted, he was the only
person I saw my entire trip.
"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." Martin Buber
Re: Overdue Hiker - Do You Have Any Info?
by freestone on Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:20 pm You are being contacted because you had a permit for hiking in the Inyo National Forest or Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks. We are looking for Larry Conn a hiker that has not returned from backpacking trip this weekend. Please take a look at the flyer. If you have any information please contact me via email or my number listed below. Thank you for your help.
SEKI is now using the permit program to find individuals who applied for permits during the same time period that Larry did.
Mav....Muir Trail
His plans seemed very straightforward because of his limited time schedule of 4 days. Getting in and out of Taboose takes up two of those da
Re: Overdue Hiker - Do You Have Any Info?
by freestone on Fri Oct 26, 2012 1:51 pm
Larry had Mac earbuds in place when I spoke with
him. I could not tell if the devise was an iPhone or iPod, but I will
call and make sure SEKI is aware of this. I think there may be some
confusion with Split mountain and Stripped mountain. Stripped mountain
is more in the vascinaty of Taboose. Split Mountain is north on the JMT
toward Mather pass.
Re: Overdue Hiker - Do You Have Any Info?
by quentinc on Fri Oct 26, 2012 2:47 pm
This is Claus again. I apologize for continuing
to use Larry's User Id. I just wanted to let you know that Larry did
have his iPhone with him on the drive up (he called and left me a
message with his itinerary) and I feel fairly certain on the backpack as
well. He has used it to take photos on all of his recent trips.
I also want to express my profound gratitude for all that you are doing to help.
I also want to express my profound gratitude for all that you are doing to help.
Re: Overdue Hiker - Do You Have Any Info?
by freestone on Fri Oct 26, 2012 11:28 pm 
Freestone you can shed some light on this since you were in this area a couple of
days before Larry.
From Bench Lake, Taboose is a beacon of hope more than any other perspective. Larry is an alpinist, he knows the best way out. The Eastern Sierra is his domain, Taboose would be his choice.
Viewing Taboose from Bench lake on Wednesday October 17.
I am sorry my friends, tears are my weakness now. The landscape is so deceptively easy looking, but for an off trail soloist, every step taken is contentious and unforgiving.
Pragmatically, I hope that the rescuers focus their efforts in the Pinchot pass area. The alpine areas where their are no trails. Thats where Larry likes to be.
"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." Martin Buber
Press release this afternoon
by freestone on Sat Oct 27, 2012 2:46 pm
I just received a call and an e-mail from Rick
Sawtell, the lead Ranger for the search. He apoligized for not providing
a better stream of comprehensive information to the public, but
managing the logistics and the actual search effort is time consuming
and hectic. He said there will be a press release later this afternoon
and to please be patient.
Ranger conversations
by freestone on Sun Oct 28, 2012 6:57 am
I spoke with the Rangers twice yesterday
afternoon and evening. They sent me a picture of a pair of Patagonia
trail shoes and I identified those as the shoes he was wearing. They
were also very interested in knowing if he was using trekking poles. I
verified that he was. I remembered that he had a blue Nalgene bottle in
his side pocket. I shared with them the fact that through his posts on
this forum, he was interested in off trail exploration of lake basins,
cross county passes and class 2-3 peaks and ridges. These guys are
completely professional and COMMITTED to finding Larry. If there is
anything you can share with the Rangers about Larry PLEASE please do so.
They need information. Anything....like How many miles a day does he
do? What kind of camera? what kind of pictures does he like to shoot?
Nothing is too trivial now, they need to know what was in his head as
well, and we can share that because of his posts and PMs to individuals.
They don't need advise or long diatribes, they need good information
about Larry, short and to the point!
Re: Overdue Hiker - Do You Have Any Info?
by SEKI Public Affairs on Sat Oct 27, 2012 6:25 pm
Summary of Search Operations for Larry Conn
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks received a report of an overdue backpacker, Larry Conn, on Wednesday October 24, 2012, at approximately 10:00 a.m. Larry was reported to be two days overdue in returning from a weekend backpacking trip in the area between Pinchot Pass and Mather Pass. Larry planned to enter the area by hiking over Taboose Pass and exploring the areas around Pinchot Pass and/or Split Mountain.
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks was notified about the missing hiker by the Inyo County Sherriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Department located Larry’s vehicle at the Taboose Creek trailhead and organized a search on the Inyo National Forest.
- On Wednesday, October 24, Inyo County Sheriff’s Department sent a search team up Taboose Pass and used a California Highway Patrol helicopter to search the area. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks contracted an AStar 350 B3 helicopter to fly search missions and insert search teams. Another helicopter, which was involved in a research project in the area, assisted in the search effort by looking for clues in the course of its regular business. The area was largely covered in snow from a storm over the weekend. Helicopter reconnaissance saw numerous animal tracks, but no human tracks, in the snow in the search area or on routes out of the search area.
- On Thursday, October 25, crews returned to the area to search likely camping areas around Bench Lake and the Bench Lake Ranger Station. Ground searchers swept the trail from Cedar Grove up the Woods Creek Trail. Aerial searches continued throughout the area and included the use of the AStar B3 and a National Guard Blackhawk helicopter with forward looking infrared, which is imaging technology that detects thermal energy. Investigators were contacted by a person who spoke with Larry on October 19, as Larry was beginning his trip. The individual said that Larry expressed an interest in the Pinchot Pass area. Neither the ground teams nor the aerial searchers found any evidence of people hiking in the search area. Two notes were found posted near the LeConte Ranger Station, but neither note was written by Larry.
- On Friday, October 26, more ground teams and helicopters continued to search the area. Ground teams were assigned to hike and search in particular areas and stay overnight. The aerial search continued including the contract B3 helicopter and another National Guard Blackhawk. No more clues were discovered on Friday.
- Today, Saturday, October 27, there are approximately 40 people working on the search effort, including more ground teams and three dogs assigned to focus on specific high-probability areas. These teams will remain overnight and continue searching on Sunday. More aerial searches have been completed using the AStar B3 and a California Highway Patrol helicopter. The search today has been focused around Pinchot Pass, Taboose Pass, Split Mountain, and likely travel corridors/camp locations in those areas.
- Search operations will continue Sunday. Search managers will evaluate information developed so far to determine the direction of the search efforts over the next days.
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks received a report of an overdue backpacker, Larry Conn, on Wednesday October 24, 2012, at approximately 10:00 a.m. Larry was reported to be two days overdue in returning from a weekend backpacking trip in the area between Pinchot Pass and Mather Pass. Larry planned to enter the area by hiking over Taboose Pass and exploring the areas around Pinchot Pass and/or Split Mountain.
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks was notified about the missing hiker by the Inyo County Sherriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Department located Larry’s vehicle at the Taboose Creek trailhead and organized a search on the Inyo National Forest.
- On Wednesday, October 24, Inyo County Sheriff’s Department sent a search team up Taboose Pass and used a California Highway Patrol helicopter to search the area. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks contracted an AStar 350 B3 helicopter to fly search missions and insert search teams. Another helicopter, which was involved in a research project in the area, assisted in the search effort by looking for clues in the course of its regular business. The area was largely covered in snow from a storm over the weekend. Helicopter reconnaissance saw numerous animal tracks, but no human tracks, in the snow in the search area or on routes out of the search area.
- On Thursday, October 25, crews returned to the area to search likely camping areas around Bench Lake and the Bench Lake Ranger Station. Ground searchers swept the trail from Cedar Grove up the Woods Creek Trail. Aerial searches continued throughout the area and included the use of the AStar B3 and a National Guard Blackhawk helicopter with forward looking infrared, which is imaging technology that detects thermal energy. Investigators were contacted by a person who spoke with Larry on October 19, as Larry was beginning his trip. The individual said that Larry expressed an interest in the Pinchot Pass area. Neither the ground teams nor the aerial searchers found any evidence of people hiking in the search area. Two notes were found posted near the LeConte Ranger Station, but neither note was written by Larry.
- On Friday, October 26, more ground teams and helicopters continued to search the area. Ground teams were assigned to hike and search in particular areas and stay overnight. The aerial search continued including the contract B3 helicopter and another National Guard Blackhawk. No more clues were discovered on Friday.
- Today, Saturday, October 27, there are approximately 40 people working on the search effort, including more ground teams and three dogs assigned to focus on specific high-probability areas. These teams will remain overnight and continue searching on Sunday. More aerial searches have been completed using the AStar B3 and a California Highway Patrol helicopter. The search today has been focused around Pinchot Pass, Taboose Pass, Split Mountain, and likely travel corridors/camp locations in those areas.
- Search operations will continue Sunday. Search managers will evaluate information developed so far to determine the direction of the search efforts over the next days.
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