Lost Hiker Sierra Madre

Written by Eric Holden

The team got an OES (Office of Emergency Services) call out the night before to assist Sierra Madre in a search for John King, a missing male hiker out of the Chantry Flats area. I drove up nice and early in the morning to meet Cameron, Glenn, and Tony who were already at the command post. We learned that our subject had been missing for a couple of days now and was an avid hiker in the area.

Our call out captain had informed those running this mission that we were a highly technical team and good to go for any terrain, and any terrain they wanted to send us into. Our search area was Little Santa Anita Canyon from Orchard Camp all the way down to the Dam. I have done the technical part of this canyon about 20 times and knew it well, but never from Orchard down.

Coming Down Upper Canyon
Photo by Eric Holden.

After a four mile hike up to our drop in point we started down the canyon and quickly ran into many signs of bears such as claw marks, tracks, and scat. We would eventually run into the bear living in the canyon about 200 yards up from First Water.

Bear Claw Marks
Photo by Eric Holden.

The upper part of the canyon involved one rappel and one optional rappel that was done by some members of our group.

First Repel
Photo by Eric Holden.

Trying to keep Dry
Photo by Eric Holden.

As we started descending into the technical part of the canyon we were informed by base to not complete our assigned area and to head back to the Command Post. Once back at the command post we were notified that unfortunately John was found deceased near the Hermit Falls area. Our thoughts go out to John's family and friends in this difficult time.

RMRU Members Involved: Cameron Dickinson, Glenn Henderson, Eric Holden, and Tony Hughes.