KC/Challenger Accident

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smalls_stanley
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Re: KC/Challenger Missing Person

Post by smalls_stanley »

I was with bigdaddylewis- by the time we decended Kit and headed back up the ridge to Challenger, the clouds were really rolling in and getting thick / hard to see. But like bigdaddylewis said, he was way ahead of us and we didn't see him again once we left Kit peak. His helmet was white with some grey accents, too. Just random things I remember talking to him about - Mike mentioned he was thinking about work a lot like he was stressed by something; and said that this was the first time he was tent camping (first time on this moutain, too) and that he normally camped out of his pickup at the trail head. He seemed in great health when we saw him and he moved at a quick pace on the mountain. Could tell he loved climbing 14ers and was passionate about it! Said that 14ers.com was his 'bible' :-) Praying for your safe return, Mike!
bigdaddylewis wrote:Mike caught up to our group as we were ascending Challenger on Friday morning. He summited Challenger, left his helmet and headed for Kit Carson. We met him again on Kit Carson as he was leaving the summit. The last we saw him he was picking up his helmet on Challenger and heading West on the ridge... that was about 12:20. We were off the Challenger ridge before the storm hit and he was quite a ways ahead of us. He was wearing a khaki shirt and tan/gray shorts, gray REI backpack with orange accents. Really nice guy... praying for his safety.
John Cormier
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Re: KC/Challenger Missing Person

Post by John Cormier »

Many thanks smalls_stanley, I just got of the phone with search/rescue and relayed this info but it seems they already interviewed you and/or others in your group. You've been incredibly helpful in narrowing the search. So appreciated!
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cbrobin
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Re: KC/Challenger Missing Person

Post by cbrobin »

I Hiked with TheOtherIndian Sunday. Everyone was keeping their eyes peeled. All the information on this thread points to a problem either on the top of the ridge past the summit on Challenger or the Notch. If he had difficulty past the Notch there were twenty people who would have seen him on Sunday and helped out. Still hopeful.

Did he have a spot tracker?

There was a note on his car at the trailhead at 6:00 PM Sunday.
More Colorado than the Natives.
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IronSkiMountaineer
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Re: KC/Challenger Missing Person

Post by IronSkiMountaineer »

SAR folks said he did have a SPOT but didn't say whether he had tracking mode set up. But he would have been able to hit the SOS button (presumably).
HardingKC
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Re: KC/Challenger Missing Person

Post by HardingKC »

I was in the trio with bigdaddylewis from KC that talked with Mike. We rested together and got acquainted on the North Slope route. He talked about wanting to ascend the Kirk Couloir, but opted for the easier route. Mike was looking at the alternate route up the North Slope with me that follows the North ridge of Challenger vs. the couloir. He may have opted for a more challenging route down that ridge line and could have got offline and in trouble. Since we saw him heading West on Challenger with his helmet, I doubt he doubled back for Kirk Couloir, but it is possible. I know the nightmare of a missing loved one and my prayers are with the family and Mike.
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OutdoorEsprit
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Re: KC/Challenger Missing Person

Post by OutdoorEsprit »

cbrobin wrote:I Hiked with TheOtherIndian Sunday. Everyone was keeping their eyes peeled. All the information on this thread points to a problem either on the top of the ridge past the summit on Challenger or the Notch. If he had difficulty past the Notch there were twenty people who would have seen him on Sunday and helped out. Still hopeful.

Did he have a spot tracker?

There was a note on his car at the trailhead at 6:00 PM Sunday.

Did you happen to read the note, by chance, or notice who had written it?
"The mountains are calling and I must go."
-John Muir
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mattpayne11
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Re: KC/Challenger Missing Person

Post by mattpayne11 »

I really hope this ends well. KC can be a tricky mountain and has claimed several lives of great mountaineers, I think a lot of the times it is caused by tough route-finding.

Hoping the best...
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cbrobin
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Re: KC/Challenger Missing Person

Post by cbrobin »

Did you happen to read the note, by chance, or notice who had written it?
I believe it was SAR. It was in a plastic bag. I glanced at the windshield. One of the other guys looked closer at it.
More Colorado than the Natives.
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FCSquid
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Re: KC/Challenger Missing Person

Post by FCSquid »

Praying for a happy outcome on this. [-o<

This has been an unbelievably bad season, with yet another tragic weekend. We're all overdue for a good surprise. Hats off, once again to the SAR folks who dive in head first when something goes sideways.
"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
-Benjamin Franklin
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samjaffe
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Re: KC/Challenger Missing Person

Post by samjaffe »

My brother and I went up Challenger on Sunday and watched the helicopters searching while we did. There were between 10 and 20 people climbing up to Kit Carson that day. What's strange is that if he was last seen descending Challenger, then it would have been very hard for all of us not to have seen him as we ascended Challenger. If anyone finds out what happened, please update this thread. My thoughts and prayers are with Mike and his family.
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.--St. Exupery
John Cormier
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Re: KC/Challenger Missing Person

Post by John Cormier »

Hi all, this is Mike's brother John. I'm very sorry to report that Mike was found earlier today. He had fallen on his descent on Friday and did not survive. We are devastated but also incredibly grateful for all your support and prayers. We've printed this thread and given it to our mother. Your concern and comments, especially those of you who last saw Mike and reported what you knew, will be a great comfort to her and Mike's entire family and friends. It is impossible to express our feelings of appreciation to the rescuers and everyone associated with SAR who risked there own well being to find Mike. We can not thank you enough. And to the entire 14ers community, the kindness and humanity you've shown shows why Mike was so proud to be part of such a unique group. Mike's youngest son Joseph (22 yrs old) is on site and will be joined by his brother Colin shortly as well as Mike's brothers Steve and Matthew to bring Mike home.

This is a huge tragedy for all of us but I think we can all take comfort in the fact that Mike died doing something he loved to do. That will get us through this.

Thanks everyone.
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TheOtherIndian
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Re: KC/Challenger Missing Person

Post by TheOtherIndian »

Very sorry to hear about the outcome John. Rest in peace Mike. From other posts in this thread, he seemed like a wonderful person. Hope your mother and the rest of the family find courage to deal with this. My condolences.
Anything less than immortality is a complete waste of time. -Bender 'Bending' Rodriguez