Updated Press Release On Deceased Hiker, Christopher Andrews - By Tuolumne County Sheriffs Department
UPDATED INFORMATION AS OF 10/07/08 at 1600 Hrs......On Monday afternoon, searchers were continuing their ground search looking for signs of Christopher in an area they felt he would most likely be located—just north of Iceland Lake. Earlier they had located a camp at Iceland Lake. Believing it to be Christopher’s, they felt he most likely would have been trying to hike north out of the area towards Relief Reservoir in an attempt to beat the storm that was approaching Friday afternoon. They concentrated their search in the area about ¾ mile north of Iceland Lake and a mile or so south of Relief Reservoir. (Approximate coordinates: 38˚14’18.11” N 119˚45’01.76” W elevation ~8200 feet). ....
One of the searchers caught a glimpse of some personal effects on the ground. The searcher looked up towards a large area of granite and saw what appeared to be the outline of a person in one of the crevasses. The area was not accessible from below, so searchers above had to rappel down where they were able to recover Christopher’s body.
By Monday evening the recovery effort was complete. The family was notified.
An autopsy will be scheduled for the next day or two.
UPDATED INFORMATION
On October 6, 2008, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team and Calaveras County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team continued the search in the area of Iceland Lake for Christopher Andrews. Calaveras County Sheriff’s SAR brought in trained search dogs to assist. Intermountain Helicopter assisted with their helicopter.
Due to accessibility issues, crews were flown into the area via Helicopter. Crews continued the search. At approximately 2 PM, a search crew located Andrews. Due to the technical terrain, crews had to rappel into the area to make access. Sadly Andrews was found deceased.
The cause of death has not been determined at this time. The family has been notified of his death.
SUMMARY
On October 3, 2008, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the California Office of Emergency Services in regards to a Personal Locating Beacon that was emitting a 911 signal. The coordinates that were given, put the emergency signal in the area of Iceland Lake in the Emigrant Wilderness. Due to the weather and darkness on October 3rd, Search and Rescue teams were unable to respond to the area.
The missing person, identified as 42 year old Christopher Andrews is from Hillsborough California. Per Andrews family, Andrews is an avid hiker and is familiar with the Emigrant Wilderness.
On October 4, 2008, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team deployed team members on the ground via horseback and on foot. The team members encountered high waters across the creeks which forced them to turn back. Team members changed locations and made access from the Haypress area over East Flange into the Relief Valley. The search was continued on foot and in four wheel drive vehicles. As of that evening, Search and Rescue team members were unable to make access to the area where the Beacon was last signaled.
On October 5, 2008, a helicopter was launched to assist with the search. They were unable to locate Andrews. The emergency beacon stopped emitting a signal, possibly due to a dead battery.
On October 6, 2008, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s SAR and Calaveras County Sheriff’s SAR are currently enroute to the area to continue the search.
Source: Pinetreenet article
I understood from other reports that the personal beacon transmitted the hikers exact coordinates. I wonder why the issue of the battery dying on Sunday made any difference? Why couldn't they locate him on Sunday if his exact coordinates were known since Friday?
ReplyDeleteThis device has proven to be unreliable in certain situations. The GPS technology sends out a burst to satalites providing a set of coordinates in an instant. However, in order for the coordinates to be accurate, the GPS unit has to have a lock on multiple satalites (3 solid locks minimum). If the subject was located on the side of cliffs (as this subject was) in a highly wooded area (as this subject was) in stormy conditions (as this subject was) any coordinates provided would simply be able to point Trained Rescue Teams (which you are not) to a general area. If search and rescue effirts would be further complicated by the weather and the terrain. Believe that these highly trained and deidicated folks did everything they could to locate the subject as fast as possible with the goal of a rescue (not recovery) and leave the speculation at home unless your background is in SAR and you are willing to give of yourself in ways that you can not even imagine in an effort to be of service under circumstaces that are physically and emotionally draining at best.
ReplyDelete