Missing Hiker on Blanca

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Tornadoman
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Missing Hiker on Blanca

Post by Tornadoman »

From the Alamosa County Sheriff's Office FaceBook page.

"The Alamosa County Sheriff’s Office and Alamosa Volunteer Search and Rescue are seeking information for an overdue hiker, Vaughn Fetzer.
We are seeking information from anyone that may have seen Fetzer that were in the area of Blanca Peak on Saturday, September 18th.
Vaughn Fetzer is 57 years old, 6’00, 180 lbs., brown eyes, brown hair. He was last heard from on Saturday, September 18th.
If anyone has seen Vaughn Fetzer please call CSP dispatch at 719-589-5807 or Search and Rescue at 773-456-2927"

https://www.facebook.com/Alamosa-County ... 4831397602 Facebook link includes pictures of the missing hiker.
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gurlyclimber
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Re: Missing Hiker on Blanca

Post by gurlyclimber »

I wouldn't be surprised if he went for the traverse, knowing the kind of stuff he enjoys in the mountains. Sure hope he's found alive.
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Re: Missing Hiker on Blanca

Post by CaptainSuburbia »

There was weather moving in when my group started down the road Saturday afternoon. Hopefully he's ok.
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Re: Missing Hiker on Blanca

Post by Makbrad »

We came up the SW ridge of S Little Bear on Saturday 9/18, then took the traverse to Blanca and down the standard/Como road around 3:30pm. Weather was moving in at that point. We did not see anyone else on the traverse, just a party of 3 on Little Bear before we took off and another party descending Blanca standard as we were summiting.

Hope he is found safe.
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Re: Missing Hiker on Blanca

Post by gurlyclimber »

Gash Ridge
Ormes Buttress - if with a partner
Blanca to Ellingwood
N Ridge Ellingwood
S. Ridge on California - maybe combined with other peaks

What are other routes from LL?
Last edited by gurlyclimber on Tue Sep 21, 2021 2:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Missing Hiker on Blanca

Post by justiner »

gurlyclimber wrote: Tue Sep 21, 2021 1:37 pm Gash Ridge
Ormes Buttress - if with a partner
Blanca to Ellingwood

What are other routes from LL?
All the “sneaks” that avoid Gash, from the saddle of Hamilton, all the way to California Peak.
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Re: Missing Hiker on Blanca

Post by justiner »

Alamosa Volunteer Search And Rescue:
AVSAR in conjunction with the Alamosa County Sheriff's Office is continuing their search for an overdue hiker, Vaughn Fetzer, in the area of Blanca Peak. If you were in the area on Saturday, September 18th and believe you may have information to aid in the Search effort to find Vaughn, please call the State Patrol Dispatch Center (719)589-5807 or contact Search and Rescue (773)456-2927.
The first day of searching included multiple teams across the state of Colorado. We were able to gather more information from Search efforts and hikers who saw Vaughn on Saturday. The Search will continue today, with a focus on the Gash Ridge descending Blanca Peak.
Please continue to stay out of the area to ensure our teams are not being put in harms way. This area is extremely technical and could be made even more dangerous for searchers by additional people in the area. The terrain is very steep and loose. Thank you.
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Re: Missing Hiker on Blanca

Post by handonbroward »

justiner wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 9:59 am Alamosa Volunteer Search And Rescue:
AVSAR in conjunction with the Alamosa County Sheriff's Office is continuing their search for an overdue hiker, Vaughn Fetzer, in the area of Blanca Peak. If you were in the area on Saturday, September 18th and believe you may have information to aid in the Search effort to find Vaughn, please call the State Patrol Dispatch Center (719)589-5807 or contact Search and Rescue (773)456-2927.
The first day of searching included multiple teams across the state of Colorado. We were able to gather more information from Search efforts and hikers who saw Vaughn on Saturday. The Search will continue today, with a focus on the Gash Ridge descending Blanca Peak.
Please continue to stay out of the area to ensure our teams are not being put in harms way. This area is extremely technical and could be made even more dangerous for searchers by additional people in the area. The terrain is very steep and loose. Thank you.
The assumption being that he was maybe descending Gash from Blanca? Or got turned around and thought that was the main descent route off of Blanca? Just trying to figure out how one could end up heading in that direction, unless it was part of the plan. The top section of Gash to Blanca (after the Gash) is pretty damn steep as loose, as you know Justin.

Really tough terrain if you were not planning on it, as SAR pointed out, and almost an unimaginably bad spot to be stuck in during adverse weather. Ascending into or out of the Gash in either direction in wet conditions is nightmarish stuff. Also close to freezing temps @ Fort Garland the past few nights, so I have to imagine any moisture / residual precip would have iced overnight up at altitude.

Hoping for a positive outcome.
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Re: Missing Hiker on Blanca

Post by justiner »

Yeah not sure, the thing with Gash is you gotta get back to your starting point somehow so it takes some planning beforehand. That’s why, although a great route, it just doesn’t get done all that much. If it was dark I could see how someone would descend East rather than north. The top of the gash route heading towards the summit isn’t all that bad and shares terrain with the standard route for a second.


I guess an awkward time to remind people to tell someone your itinerary before heading out. I usually flesh out a trip in CalTopo then txt/email people the link to that map. Tracks can be recorded through the app and I think when you save them (provided you have a signal) they’ll show up on the map as well. No exactly poor mans Inreach but can help answer questions
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Re: Missing Hiker on Blanca

Post by theuglybear »

Knowing Vaughn, I don't imagine that he got cliffed out or lost. And Gash is exactly the kind of thing that he loved doing alone. Everyone is just hoping that somehow he's still alive up there.
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Re: Missing Hiker on Blanca

Post by gurlyclimber »

Yeah, not exactly the standard route kind of guy. We did some fun multi-pitch night night ice climbing. He's a beast.
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Re: Missing Hiker on Blanca

Post by Reg0928 »

Alpine Rescue Team is reporting on their FB that a SAR team member was injured in this search.


https://www.facebook.com/AlpineRescue/
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