Lost Hiker on Mt Holy Cross

[Colorado dreaming]

Based on the photo of him, does anyone know what is on his left shoulder strap? I also don't see fishing poles, although they may be obscured in the pic. I also can't tell what is under his right or left elbow. I am just trying to make guesses about what type of activities he was planning on. Yeah, I know SAR will have talked to his fiancee and gotten better info but I can't help but try to think of something that might help and the only clue about him I have is the photo. He does look pretty prepared with a full pack with tent and sandals, perhaps more than 40+ lbs of gear.

Was he into photography and perhaps went out after setting up camp to get pics? Did he collect biology or rock specimens? Was he into geology and maybe went off trail to inspect some rock formations? The vail daily article also suggests he was into relics and may have gone into Holy Cross City, a ghost town.

With the only individuals seeing him Day 1 shortly after he started, it seems likely that he got lost/into trouble within the first day or so and at his pace of around 5 miles a day he wouldn't have gotten too far from the TH before he got lost/into trouble. I would hazard a guess that he got off trail within the first 10 miles.

From a personal standpoint, this confirms that a Spot or PLB is a necessity for hiking alone. You never know what may happen and you can't control every circumstance, such as slipping on a rock, twisting an ankle, etc but you can be prepared on how to handle such circumstances if they arise.

[Rich H]

We are heading up Sunday to climb Mt Jackson from the Halfmoon Trailhead if the weather holds - We will keep our eyes open... basically we will drop down to Cross Crk from the Halfmoon/holy cross trail and head west up into the basin below UN13,433 and Jackson.

Saturday is the first day of the first Rifle Elk Season - be careful.



rich

[gsliva]

From Fancy Pass down to Cross Creek is pretty rugged. I wonder if he tried to Bushwhack down instead of following the trail around Treasure Vault Lake. That area becomes very steep below Fancy Pass to the Northwest.

[rijaca]

Thinking about climbing over fancy pass and then trying to hook up with a trail to head west for 3 or 4 more miles before I turn around. I don't have a lot of resources to get this trail info. Anyone have some good ideas / links / whatever?

Buy a map! Seriously, if you don't know where to look for trail resource info, stay at home and let SAR do the searching. Sorry if this sounds harsh, just don't want to be reading about another lost hiker search.

[Leigh]

I was curious as to what landcruiserbob meant when he stated that "there is something very odd about the photo at fall creek". This is a very captivation story and one that hope ends up with a positive outcome for James and all of his family and friends.

I was curious what that meant as well, I don't see anything odd about the photo.

Based on the photo of him, does anyone know what is on his left shoulder strap?

I would guess that's his GPS on his left shoulder strap and would assume the other attachment on his right hip belt is a camera case.

I would agree with another assessment that James is a "slow and steady" hiker - I went on one of his "backpacker bootcamp" trips when I was just getting back into the sport and somewhat out of shape - I was last in the group and James was usually just right ahead of me.

[rijaca]

According to the article: "Nelson had planned to start at Half Moon campground, follow Fall Creek Trail past Lake Constantine, over Fall Creek Pass and past Holy Cross City, Smith said. Nelson then planned to hike Fancy Pass Trail over Fancy Pass and continue downstream along Cross Creek Trail. Nelson had intended to hike up East Cross Creek, then follow Half Moon Pass trail back to the parking lot."

Pretty rugged trail-less area up East Cross Creek from the Cross Creek trail to the Half Moon trail.

I like repeating myself. I'm sure SAR searched this area, but it bears repeating.

[djkest]

So it sounds like a lot of people believe that hiking through previously-searched areas would have a low chance of being successful. I guess the only way that would work is if the James is still mobile and trying to make his way back, or if they missed something (unlikely, but possible).

[gasman]

Maybe I watch too many horror movies, CSI, etc but I wonder if anyone has considered foul play of some sort given this disappearance and the one mentioned back in 2005? If he is in the area and somewhere below treeline, then I would think the best chance of him being found would be with the upcoming opening of the firearms elk season. There will be a lot of people tramping around on and off trail.

[dnye]

Sadly, I also thought about foul play. However, I am hoping he has just gotten turned around and/or is waiting for someone to find him.

[MountainHiker]

So it sounds like a lot of people believe that hiking through previously-searched areas would have a low chance of being successful. I guess the only way that would work is if the James is still mobile and trying to make his way back, or if they missed something (unlikely, but possible).

True. Little chance is better than no chance. I’m going to hike this weekend anyway. So I may as well hike in that area. If he is still able to move and can get to a path, then there is some chance he will be found.

Since I’m heading up alone I’ll be sticking to the Holy Cross standard route. However if someone else would like to join me we could hike up Fall Creek to Fall Creek Pass and then up Whitney Peak. I know SAR has been over this ground before. But like I said, I’m going to be hiking anyway.

[tenpins]

Truthfully all options are probably on the table about the subject, but a murder of this fellow is extremely unlikely.

[landcruiserbob]

The photo seems odd since it's was clearly taken to prove location for us or James girlfriend as a safety back up. This clearly proves his location.

Weather for his trip @ 10,500 feet
oct 3rd- 27-65 sunny(65 is hot here in the rockies)
oct 4th-33-59 sunny
oct 5th- 28-63 sunny
oct 6th- 35-59 pcloudy
oct 7th- 33-60 pcloudy
Oct 8th 30-56 showers & snow showers
9th-today -snow & unsettled weather

James had perfect weather for his trip. He had all the right equipment & was an experienced backpacker but something went very wrong on his adventure.

We must assume that things went bad for him on the 3rd of Oct since that trail see's a lot of activity on nice sunny days.

I plan on doing a trail run in the area on Saturday to see if something has been missed in his first 10 miles of his journey.

Lets hope he walks out of the woods today.