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Missing hiker on Mt of the Holy Cross

PostPosted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 2:51 pm
by WingLady
Missing on Holy Cross:

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx? ... &catid=188

I thought it was odd that the article mentioned that he isn't carrying a cell phone, but made no mention of, say, a GPS or a SPOT device.

I hope this all turns out well...

Re: Missing hiker on Mt of the Holy Cross

PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 3:08 pm
by WingLady

Re: Missing hiker on Mt of the Holy Cross

PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 6:30 pm
by areamanbilly
I've hiked with James many times. I'm very worried, but I also know that he is a very competent hiker and knows his way around the mountains. The articles covering this are bunk. Heck, most areas folks like us tend to travel in have zero mobile coverage. The news stories also mention he's been missing for over a week. Technically he's been missing since Friday when he failed to check in with his lady. I guess "missing for more than a week" helps to sell more papers. I'm banking he probably fell and broke a limb and is waiting in his sleeping bag for rescue.

Please keep his safe return in your hearts and prayers.

Re: Missing hiker on Mt of the Holy Cross

PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 10:48 pm
by Castlereagh
Hoping everything ends well. Reading the discussion on 14ers.com it looks like he is well equipped to stand the cold weather. Hopefully the SAR teams find him in the next day or two.

Re: Missing hiker on Mt of the Holy Cross

PostPosted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 10:50 pm
by Alpinist
My thoughts exactly about the cell phone. People assume that phones work everywhere but that's obviously not true, especially in a remote mountainous area like this one.

I don't mean to discourage you but the SAR team hiked the entire route and did not see him. If he is holed up somewhere with a broken leg, he is not very visible.

Hoping for the best.

Re: Missing hiker on Mt of the Holy Cross

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 3:55 am
by Castlereagh
saw on 14ers.com they suspended the search

http://cbs4denver.com/local/james.nelso ... 59272.html


Really hoping/praying this still somehow turns out well

Re: Missing hiker on Mt of the Holy Cross

PostPosted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:44 pm
by areamanbilly
They found the body of our friend James a couple of weeks ago about 120 feet away from where he had established camp around 11,500'. His journal indicated he was likely suffering from altitude sickness. His GPS, stove, and digital camera were missing from the located gear. The thought of someone encountering his camp empty, picking up the 3 most expensive pieces of gear, and not reporting the discovered site to authorities is disheartening.

James was an amazing guy. His love of the outdoors and enthusiasm to mentor other folks is inspiring. I am glad his friends and family now have closure. James will be missed. Rest in piece Big Muddy!!!

Re: Missing hiker on Mt of the Holy Cross

PostPosted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:33 pm
by Buz Groshong
Alpinist wrote:My thoughts exactly about the cell phone. People assume that phones work everywhere but that's obviously not true, especially in a remote mountainous area like this one.

I don't mean to discourage you but the SAR team hiked the entire route and did not see him. If he is holed up somewhere with a broken leg, he is not very visible.

Hoping for the best.


They don't even work in many hiking areas here back east! I can only imagine how useless a cell phone could be in mountains out west.

Re: Missing hiker on Mt of the Holy Cross

PostPosted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 10:19 pm
by Sarah Simon
areamanbilly,

There is not much I can say but to wish peace and healing for you and the friends and family of James. Find the strength to remember James in good times!

Sarah