High Sierra Topix

Have ask Eric Blehm author of "The Last Season" to join are cause and he
enthusiastically said yes, and will do what ever he can to help and spread the word.

Would ask those who are writing letters in support of our cause from today's
date on, please direct them towards the 2 persons listed below:

SEKI NP Superintendent:
Woody Smeck
47050 Generals Highway
Three Rivers, CA 93271

Inyo National Forest Supervisor:
Ed Armenta
351 Pacu Lane, Suite 200
Bishop, CA 93514

These and other opinions in this thread do not necessarily reflect opinions of the HST Admin.

OUR SEARCH FOR LARRY HAS BEEN APPROVED BY SEKI NPS & INYO NF!!!!

Would like to say thank you, as would Larry's family, to everyone involved for
your efforts and support in getting our approval over the last few months.
Will post more details in a few days.

Can't comment on the particulars of how we got SEKI & Inyo on board with
our search, but can say it took knowing the right people, having folks in the
park/forest system who cared and were effected by this tragedy as much
as we were, putting the appropriate pressure on the right folks, having Eric's
blessing to use HST, being very persistent, and extremely patient. Glad we
made the decision to start this whole process back in Jan.

We still are in the need for volunteers to join our search effort.

A little about the search effort:

SEKI will have 2 rangers (one is a HST member ) stationed at Bench Lake
starting in June for up to 60 days for the purpose of looking for Larry. There
may be occasional helo support/help also.
Will be working with SEKI SAR who will supply me with updated info on the
areas searched by the rangers stationed at Bench Lake before our search so
hopefully we can narrow our search perimeters if nothing is found by the time
of our search, if Larry is found there will be no search effort.
We have been allowed to search in SEKI and pass through Inyo NF, but we must
follow all the park/forest regulations such as groups larger than 10 must camp
1/4 mile from each other, ascend toward the pass in groups no larger than
10, also it will be my responsibility to enforce these/all rules, the conduct of
our members, and ensure the safety of our search members as much as possible.
We will have an Alpha, Bravo and Charlie team (depending on final counts) based
in specific, assigned areas, from where each team will conduct their daily searches
from Wed thru Sat.
Their will be one more team (Delta) made up of members with a lot of crosscountry/
climbing experience, led by myself, that will be searching the more difficult
crosscountry routes that Larry may have taken.
Will have team leaders in place that will be in charge of each individual team
during the search, these people will be selected by their work experience (they
will have either a SAR, Ranger, Law Enforcement or Military background), an
abundance of wilderness/backcountry experience, and leadership qualities that
are needed to complete this mission safely and diligently.
Every searcher will be assigned to a team and notified before the actual search, you
will also be informed about your basecamp locations.
To reiterate, safety of each and every person involved in this search mission is my
number one concern.
Thanks Mav

PS Yes you guessed right, my background is military, guess the team names
gave it away.

- Permits of those who have volunteered so far have been sent off to Inyo today.

- Inyo & Sierra Madre are conducting searches outside of the Park this weekend
(Taboose Trail, Cardinal Mtn, Striped Mtn, Armstrong Canyon).

- SEKI is currently conducting their own search inside the Park.

Thank you to those of you who have sent PM's of encouragement and support
HST members and non members.
Would ask those of you who are still interested in coming but are unable to commit
at the moment because of work or family commitments please shoot me a PM so I know
how many possibles there may be.
We are still in the need for more searchers in our effort to find Larry,
hopefully some more of you will consider and join our mission to bring peace and closure
to the family. If you cannot participate but would like to help please get the word out,
and help us in the recruitment of more searchers.


Thanks,
Mav

Larry's Patagonia shoe (confirmed) was found at the top of Taboose Pass Trail,
northwest on the boundary line of SEKI-Inyo at the start of the County Line
route up to Cardinal Mtn.

Please do not go up looking for any evidence otherwise you will be interfering
with an official investigation. Will update everyone once this investigation has
concluded and the information is deemed releasable to the public.
Thank you for your continued patience. Mav

Fellow Members and Non Members,



Wanted to be able to give more info and not post with a lot of
open questions still remaining, but it was brought to my attention
today, by another forum member, that the Inyo County Sheriff had
released some info about the investigation to a newspaper which
we were not expecting yet.
Larry’s remains were found just east of Taboose on the weekend
of 6/15-16. His tent was outside of his backpack, possibly set
up? His backpack was near by, both pieces of equipment were torn
open. His iphone was found and may contained photos of the snowstorm.
Some of his remains were also found that was sent off for dna testing.
The iphone has not yet been release so we have not been able to
see any photos, it will hopefully shed some light on what Larry
was experiencing on his last day. We have not been informed about
whether his sleeping bag was still in the backpack or not, which
would shed some light on possible scenarios that may have transpired.
So far it points towards Larry climbing up Taboose Pass during the
storm (this is where the photos would help), set up camp once over
and slightly down trail from the top of the pass to avoid the wind,
then set up his tent and suffered some fatal medical conditions.


Big Thanks:

To all the people from HST, other forums, and to Larry’s friends
who volunteered to participate in the search effort, and to all the
folks behind the scenes that helped with contact names, ideas, and
motivation.

To all the HST members and Non Members who could not participate
in person but were ready to volunteer their time in other ways for example
by donating equipment, food, and even money.

To Claus who put up with me for months with the constant questions,
requests to search computer files, look for receipts, and all the other
questions to build a profile.

To all the SAR folks from several counties that shared their stories,
gave us ideas & help, and a lot of encouragement.

To SEKI, Inyo, and Sierra Madre SAR for their resolve and commitment
to get closure for the family.

To Eric for allowing this thread to exist, and using his forum to get the
word out.

Will now unlock this thread so everyone can contribute their thoughts.
Would ask that you please be sensitive and respectful in your comments,
family members will be chiming in and reading this thread and everyone posts.

Finally to all the folks who got permits please cancel them and get your
refunds.


Thanks,
Maverick

I find it hard to choke back the tears.

Mav, your fortitude is surpassed only by your heart.

Yes, thanks to all the above and also a huge thanks and respect for Maverick who has been unflagging in his determination to coordinate efforts to bring some closure to friends and family. I know it has been a tremendous amount of work on his part.
I know we all would like more detailed info to be able to understand the scenario Larry was in and learn from it

There are no adequate words to express the gratitude. Thank you maverick for your commitment, effort and determination. Thank you also to all involved. This has been a difficult time for the entire community and especially for Larry's loved ones, but mercifully closure is near. We will not forget you, Larry.