MISSING CLIMBER: Maroon Bells, Bells traverse, Pyramid

[Lifes]

(As an unrelated example to highlight the insignificance of a person in the wilderness, consider this picture in which I am standing in a fairly open area, wearing an orange shirt, no less. Can you find me? Notice anything else in the picture?)

I'm not a hiker and have no SAR experience. I'm posting here because I'm one person among thousands of people worldwide who are scouring satellite images for Mr. Cook... and I need to post my comments where it might matter.

First, I wish more people could see Mr. Doug Shaw's photograph! It is a perfect example of just how difficult it is to find an average 5ft 5inch to 6ft 5 inch person against Earth's backdrop of colorings.

Second, people tend to think satellites are all-seeing. But if seeing Mr. Shaw in a ground photo is near-impossible, imagine how much harder it is from 600 feet above earth...through thick trees...down crevices...around boulders.... in deep shadows...

I hope that Mr, Cook's predicament showcases the need for universal standards about what hikers can do to help SAR and searches by satellite. One of the online news outlets stated: "Cook was reportedly wearing khaki pants, a black long-sleeve shirt that said “Burton” on it, a dark navy blue or black jacket and a blue helmet, according to a Facebook post." Every time I read that, I cringe inside. If we cannot see Mr. Shaw in an orange shirt in a ground photo, how much harder to see khaki, black, navy blue, and blue against mountainous terrain-- especially when the CO area has orange-yellow treetops that I assume are the leaves changing? Those look like giant NE US ragweed plants on satellite! And against chocolate-color ground, or against blue-black mountainous formations? Impossible!

The hiking community needs to discuss what colors might stand out the most against most often trekked terrain. I'm wondering if hikers could design a mat with weighted corners to lay out on the ground with a universal distress symbol on it? It would need to be large enough to see from the air / space, though... It's beyond my expertise to make any terrific suggestion....

In frustration, I guess what I want most to say is searchers really want to find "you". We're invested in finding "you", even if all we can do is search images from our homes. If you'all with hiking experience can figure out something to make yourselves as visible as possible, you will help people like me spot you.

Also, I wondered if along established trails there could be mandatory locked rainproof "boxes" where hikers would be required to drop in their name on a pre-printed card? (Printing name-cards is inexpensive and light enough to carry 100 or so.) Then SAR could start at the boxes to "track" the last box that contains your name, to narrow down where "you" might be if you're lost or hurt.

Again, I'm not a hiker. I don't know what it is like to be a hiker. Please don't criticize me too harshly for my inexperience... But isn't it time to devise better ways to get rescued? Think not only from number of feet for flying a rescue airplane or helicopter, but also when looking down from 600 feet out in space to find your small presence in the wilderness. What would make you and your tent stand out if you're under trees right along a clearing? (Forget footprints unless you're in snow!)

Sad about Mr. Cook and feel for his family. We'll keep looking 'from above'. Whatever happened, I hope he has the stamina and fortitude to keep inching toward rescue or that someone comes upon him soon.

Please remember, it only takes a sprained or broken ankle for "you" to be in this situation. Please discuss some universal standards that will help "you" be seen.

[Jon Frohlich]

I found Waldo in Doug's picture (only because I really zoomed in on the photo). He's not that far from the helicopter.

I hope that Mr, Cook's predicament showcases the need for universal standards about what hikers can do to help SAR and searches by satellite. One of the online news outlets stated: "Cook was reportedly wearing khaki pants, a black long-sleeve shirt that said “Burton” on it, a dark navy blue or black jacket and a blue helmet, according to a Facebook post." Every time I read that, I cringe inside. If we cannot see Mr. Shaw in an orange shirt in a ground photo, how much harder to see khaki, black, navy blue, and blue against mountainous terrain-- especially when the CO area has orange-yellow treetops that I assume are the leaves changing? Those look like giant NE US ragweed plants on satellite! And against chocolate-color ground, or against blue-black mountainous formations? Impossible!

I used to do dark color / earth tone hiking gear as well and eventually decided that was kind of dumb. Dark color hiking gear would be very difficult to spot from a distance. Earth tone even worse. It is something to think about at least when purchasing gear. Now especially on more difficult climbs I look more like this.

Also, I wondered if along established trails there could be mandatory locked rainproof "boxes" where hikers would be required to drop in their name on a pre-printed card? (Printing name-cards is inexpensive and light enough to carry 100 or so.) Then SAR could start at the boxes to "track" the last box that contains your name, to narrow down where "you" might be if you're lost or hurt.

Not very feasible for the kind of places we are talking about. Even on trails this would be very difficult but once you get up somewhere like Pyramid or the Bells then it's just not viable. Also it would have to be maintained regularly and without dates or route information it doesn't do a lot of good. Leaving information with friends and family about what you are doing and where you are going is a much better idea.

I haven't commented on the satellite search but I don't think there's any way that's going to work unfortunately. I don't even know if the satellite photos are recent since he went missing. Even if they are the best commercially available resolution is something like 30cm. At that resolution at best he'd appear as a couple of pixels. In the type of terrain we are talking about it'd be virtually impossible to spot anyone. They attempted the same thing when MH370 went missing and airplane pieces are much larger than a human. No one ever found anything by satellite.

[Denakb]

I often hike alone however nothing like Maroon Bells ...yet. And since Dave's disappearance I've thought often of "if it were me, what could I do to be more visible" Here's a thought:

A friend bought me a package of those silver "emergency blankets" and while I know they're not very useful under most conditions, they are lightweight and if you had a few of them with you, you could spread them out, securing with rocks, making one large reflective surface.

[mountaingoat-G]

something as simple as a signal mirror could work. Even the reflectivity from the screen of certain electronic devices can be seen from a distance when the sun cooperates.

[Lifes]

I haven't commented on the satellite search but I don't think there's any way that's going to work unfortunately. I don't even know if the satellite photos are recent since he went missing. Even if they are the best commercially available resolution is something like 30cm. At that resolution at best he'd appear as a couple of pixels. In the type of terrain we are talking about it'd be virtually impossible to spot anyone. They attempted the same thing when MH370 went missing and airplane pieces are much larger than a human. No one ever found anything by satellite.

Yes, I agree, unfortunately. Satellite images continually improve, but some sights are just to small to see. I did the MH370 search also. And Nepal. Oceans and mountains make searches very difficult.

Sorry that I don't have better ideas about how hikers can be more visible. But I hope readers hear my sincere frustration and desire to find some sign of the missing hiker.

Thank you for your response.

[polar]

I did the MH370 search also. And Nepal.

Do you have access to real-time satellite images? Is this a new front in search and rescue we haven't heard about?

[Chicago Transplant]

Edited to move my post to new "Helping SAR" thread. my thoughts are with the Cook family, hoping for a positive outcome.

[TallGrass]

Starred another thread, Helping SAR locate you, to avoid derailing this one. Feel free to move posts over.

[polar]

(As an unrelated example to highlight the insignificance of a person in the wilderness, consider this picture in which I am standing in a fairly open area, wearing an orange shirt, no less. Can you find me? Notice anything else in the picture?)

That's a great example of how hard it is to spot someone in a wide angle photo. I looked as closely as I can and still can't be sure. Is the circled smudge you, or just a rock?

insignificance1.jpg

[Daniel Joder]

Yes, colorful clothes might help, but I guess it just goes back to the standard basics...Leave a detailed itinerary with someone (and don't deviate unless you inform them) and carry signaling devices (SPOT, cell phone, mirror, whistle, etc.) along with the ten essentials. I have hiked a lot of the 14ers alone, but usually just the Class 1 and 2 trails. Class 3 and up I have either hooked up with friends or 14er dot com partners--or I have hiked peaks that have plenty of human bean traffic so I am not really alone (like Longs Peak on most any summer, good weather, day). In all cases, though, I have enough gear to survive a night out, cell phone, and SPOT Gen 3. I will typically send an "All OK" message from my SPOT at the trailhead, at the summit (or summits), and again back at the trailhead. This is just a terrible tragedy and even though the chances of finding him alive are slim and decreasing with each passing day, he is a Marine so if it is possible to survive whatever happened to him he'd be the kind of guy to do it. My heart goes out to his friends and family.

[TallGrass]

Family and friends are probably following this thread hoping for updates on the search, not likely clothing suggestions.

For tips in Helping SAR locate you, there's now a thread for that. Lot of good suggestions that could help other searches in the future.

[AyeYo]

I saw him around 11am at the Silver Bells campground. I was just setting up my camp. I believe it was him . Black older jeep and wearing dark shirt. Said hello to him at the restroom which is next to campsite 13. After using the restroom, he drove away and I never saw him again. I so hope he is found and I have spoke with pitikin county sherrif.

No one else caught that? Was this a different day or not him? I thought everyone was assuming he headed out to hike at 11am, not left in his vehicle.