Missing Hiker Alert SEKI 11/27 (Resolved)

[maverick]

SEKI NP:

Missing Hiker Vince Scalise


SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. November 27, 2016 – Park officials are requesting the public’s help with information regarding a missing hiker. Saturday night, November 26, 2016, park dispatch was notified of an overdue hiker visiting the wilderness of Sequoia National Park. Vince Scalise, a 41-year-old from Phoenix, AZ, was supposed to return from a backpacking trip on Wednesday, November 23, 2016.



Mr. Scalise’s intended route of travel was reported up the Middle Fork Trailhead on November 18 and expected to camp at Panther Creek through November 23.



Mr. Scalise is described as caucasian with brown hair and brown eyes and is 5’8” and around 175 pounds. He was possibly wearing a baseball cap and Ray Ban Sunglasses. He is reported to have forest green REI backpack and grey tent.



Crews are being mobilized today to conduct foot searches today. The area has experienced some inclement weather during this timeframe, with higher elevations receiving snow. Overnight temperatures continue to be below freezing.



Anyone who may have come across Mr. Scalise or have any other information is encouraged to contact Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks at 559-565-3117 with their name, contact information. Please contact the park if you were in this area since Thursday, November 19, 2016, even if you do not believe you saw Mr. Scalise.

[rlown]

Missing-Person-Flyer-SCALISE-168x300.jpg (12.18 KiB) Viewed 5786 times

[AlmostThere]

Panther Creek isn't that far out. I hope they go down the unmaintained trail to the Middle Fork proper -- it gets very, very steep before it reaches the river and I have to wonder if that's where he got into trouble day hiking.

[rlown]

No report on their alerts page: https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/conditions.htm Shouldn't it be there?

[Shawn]

Here it is Russ -
https://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/news/mis ... calise.htm

Please do not post well wishes or anything other than information related to the search, this is very important so the agencies do not have to read thru several irrelevant posts in a thread, these will be deleted.

I've posted the alert on these sites tonight:
http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB3/california.html
http://www.mountainproject.com/v/northe ... /104554751
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/forum.php
http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/forum ... p?ubb=cfrm
http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/
http://www.rockcreeklake.com/board/

Not Posted on these:
http://easternsierraforum.com/viewforum ... f8655ed16a (can't access the site)
http://www.yosemite.ca.us/forum/index.php (can't access the site)
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/index.php - Posted by forum admin already

[maverick]

Thanks Shawn!
Have now posted on those other forums, will update if any info becomes available.

[maverick]

It has been a while since I have visited this trail, has anyone been down there recently and can report on the conditions of the trail?

Current Snow levels are around 15-17" as of 11/27 in the Mineral King area, which is at 7500'. The Middle Fork Trail doesn't get above 6000' till you get closer to Redwood Meadow, so the lower elevations near Panther, Mehrten, and Buck Creek are running in the mid 40's for highs and mid 20's for lows, closer to Redwood Meadow, temps are in the mid 30's for the highs and the lows are in the 20's to mid teens.

Will try to get Vince's experience level, winter camping experience, and gear.

[zacjust32]

An Inciweb page has been setup for the search effort.
Middle Fork SAR

[maverick]

Weather for this time period on Kaweah webcam looking towards Moro Rock, turn the speed down to view the specific days in question: http://www.timecam.tv/view_cam.aspx?C=E ... 86&S=month

[maverick]

SAR has located the last used campsite by Vince, they are using foot searchers, climbers, dogs, and helicopters at this location to find evidence of Vince's whereabouts.