FOUND!! Search and Rescue in South Sierras

[ptsailing]

Edit: they found him


Guys and girls, This forum is one of the best and most helpful communities, not just on the internet!

I received an urgent call from a friend, who has a friend, whos missing up near Patriarch Grove outside of Bishop CA. I would be up there NOW if my wife and I had not recently moved from CA to PA.

Esteban Rivera was last seen driving his white 3rd gen Tacoma yesterday in the Patriarch Grove area and his friends are worried that he is having some mechanical issues and we think he either lost service or his battery died on his phone. He may have hiked away from the vehicle to look for assistance. Please report the location if you've seen it. Mike Noon 714.724.6712

His family and friends have a plane hired, but it cant start the search for his truck till Friday (they are currently looking for another plane/pilot to start the search sooner).

I know a lot of you guys with built rigs will be out and about exploring this week(end). If you have the time and the capability PLEASE consider helping a fellow 4runner/Taco owner out and look in the area. I wish I could be there.

 

[SURF RUNNER]

Hopefully he will be OK… thoughts and prayers

 

[theesotericone]

Guys and girls, This forum is one of the best and most helpful communities, not just on the internet!

I received an urgent call from a friend, who has a friend, whos missing up near Patriarch Grove outside of Bishop CA. I would be up there NOW if my wife and I had not recently moved from CA to PA.

Esteban Rivera was last seen driving his white 3rd gen Tacoma yesterday in the Patriarch Grove area and his friends are worried that he is having some mechanical issues and we think he either lost service or his battery died on his phone. He may have hiked away from the vehicle to look for assistance. Please report the location if you've seen it. Mike Noon 714.724.6712

His family and friends have a plane hired, but it cant start the search for his truck till Friday (they are currently looking for another plane/pilot to start the search sooner).

I know a lot of you guys with built rigs will be out and about exploring this week(end). If you have the time and the capability PLEASE consider helping a fellow 4runner/Taco owner out and look in the area. I wish I could be there.

Did anyone report this to the Forest Service? Crooked Creek research station is less then 5 miles from Patriarch Grove parking. If there's a broken rig up there it's gonna be found sooner rather then later. The Whites are a big area but they are also fairly well traveled.

 

[pluton]

Did anyone report this to the Forest Service? Crooked Creek research station is less then 5 miles from Patriarch Grove parking. If there's a broken rig up there it's gonna be found sooner rather then later. The Whites are a big area but they are also fairly well traveled.

The Inyo County Sheriff is the first place to contact. That's been done, right?

 

[ptsailing]

The Inyo County Sheriff is the first place to contact. That's been done, right?

I believe so. I am not in direct contact but from what I hear the necessary authorities have been notified.

 

[ptsailing]

He was located, he is now safe and sound with family. Thanks to all who helped and those who sent their well wishes.

 

[Endlessblockades]

What happened to homie out there? Anything we can learn from?

 

[Romeo1]

Glad he was found. Please share his story so hopefully a little education can be gleaned from it.

I just don’t understand why people spend fortunes on all of the boojie overland gear that there is, but the $300 Garmin device and a cheap subscription that could actually save your ass, no one will even begin think about having one.

Ran across some guys in a Polaris general side-by-side here a little while back with a flat, no spare, no way to fix or change it……hell, they didn’t even have water….

I know I’m talking to the echo chamber, but be safe and be smart folks.

 

[Devbot]

I just don’t understand why people spend fortunes on all of the boojie overland gear that there is, but the $300 Garmin device and a cheap subscription that could actually save your ass, no one will even begin think about having one.

Simple, because those don't get you Instagram followers

 

[lockedlex]

I don't get the allure of going off-roading alone. The first rules of off-roading were:

1) Don't take your rig out alone, no matter HOW capable you think you or your rig are. Have another truck with you, unless you are always walking distance to a ranger station or some other populated place (however, that doesn't factor in #3, so this really still applies).

2) It's 2021, buy a sat phone or a garmin device. I have an Iridium phone, costs $500/yr for a service plan, but it would be priceless in an emergency. Most people spend 500 in gas just doing one trip or adding one mod. Even if you are with other people, this is so handy to have.

I even used it once to confirm closing times for a restaurant we wanted to eat at, no one checked before we were out of cell range... that would have completely changed the timing of the trip and we would have had to cut it short by several hours.

3) All the other rules of spare water, food, blankets, first aid, etc apply. Carry them, but remember if you've got a broken ankle... and can't tell anyone about it, you're going to wish you followed 1 and 2!

 

[Devbot]

I don't get the allure of going off-roading alone. The first rules of off-roading were:

1) Don't take your rig out alone, no matter HOW capable you think you or your rig are. Have another truck with you, unless you are always walking distance to a ranger station or some other populated place (however, that doesn't factor in #3, so this really still applies).

Not everyone has a group of friends to pick from on a whim, or any to pick from at all sometimes. Personally I only have about 10ish people in my life and only ONE has any interest in offroading; my dad. So usually it's either go alone or don't go at all
That said wheeling alone isn't bad at all so long as you stay humble. It's gambling and taking risks like you're not that'll get you

 

[lockedlex]

Not everyone has a group of friends to pick from on a whim, or any to pick from at all sometimes. Personally I only have about 10ish people in my life and only ONE has any interest in offroading; my dad. So usually it's either go alone or don't go at all
That said wheeling alone isn't bad at all so long as you stay humble. It's gambling and taking risks like you're not that'll get you

I've got too much going on to gamble/take risks, so I agree with you, stay humble.

Though I'm shocked by people that don't follow any of the 3 rules. That also includes leaving a trip itinerary with someone, but usually that goes without saying.

I hope he's doing well.

 

[rwh963]

Glad he was found. Please share his story so hopefully a little education can be gleaned from it.

I just don’t understand why people spend fortunes on all of the boojie overland gear that there is, but the $300 Garmin device and a cheap subscription that could actually save your ass, no one will even begin think about having one.

Ran across some guys in a Polaris general side-by-side here a little while back with a flat, no spare, no way to fix or change it……hell, they didn’t even have water….

I know I’m talking to the echo chamber, but be safe and be smart folks.

just more darwin beard winners!

 

[Devbot]

I've got too much going on to gamble/take risks, so I agree with you, stay humble.

Though I'm shocked by people that don't follow any of the 3 rules. That also includes leaving a trip itinerary with someone, but usually that goes without saying.

I hope he's doing well.

Yeah i get what you're saying and I totally agree, just felt like putting my 2 cents out there since it's something I can speak for. I often feel the same way when I see people riding alone on their dirt bike - one easy accident away from a possibly serious disaster

 

[gamefreakgc]

I don't offroad much but even I had a situation once. Engine started stalling and dying out in the Nevada desert when we were returning from an old copper mine. We were probably about 4 miles from the nearest house so not exactly life threatening but it can definitely happen. I was able to limp it to the main road but did highlight the fact that we were without cell in 100 degree heat. Plenty of food, water and supplies in the back (I'm not stupid) but it could have been rough legging it back to the small town off the highway.

I agree with the sentiments about going alone but it's not always possible. I've only offroaded with other vehicles once, but I almost always have another person with me in the case of injury or other unforeseen event.

 

[Endlessblockades]

I wheel alone. I hate Spotters especially random ones posted up along a mild feature. Takes all the fun out of it for me. Reminds me of that insurance commercial 'Don't be your Dad' where the guy is handing out unwanted advice to strangers. Sure, if I ascend Hell's Gate or the stakes are high I will gladly accept local experience and wisdom, but please leave me alone at the local OHV park.

Speaking of solo - I'm going on a 3-day Mojave excursion at the end of September but have no friends who want to go. The terrain is super tame, I will have plenty of food, water, and a Toyota - not worried about it. I get to do this because I paired it with a mountain bike race at Big Bear. I will finish mid-pack (unless there aren't enough old geezers in my class and I podium) load up my stuff and leave. Then the fun begins. See, I have the family convinced that racing is in my blood, but I really just need to get away.....

Speaking of which - I mountain bike alone all the time - way more dangerous than wheeling alone I'd say.....

I got off track - glad the folks who were missing are fine and props to the friend for putting out the word. Hope no one has to do that for me.

 

[pluton]

Nothing wrong with "wheeling"** alone, as long as you have correctly gamed out the risks and solutions and have contingency plans for all possible scenarios. Having an inReach or satphone with you is smart.
I've been to the White Mountains/Bristlecone Forest area several times; There have always been substantial numbers of other folks visiting the area, and the roads are generally well-graded. Also, cell service is generally available at any point that overlooks the Owens Valley.
** I define "wheeling", for myself, as backcountry travel, not driving as entertainment. Those that want to rock crawl or shoot jumps in remote areas are smart to have support personnel nearby.

 

[5th4runner]

A vhf/uhf hand held ham radio is a possible alternative to a SAT phone, much cheaper and no subscriptions. There are repeaters all over the place in CA, mostly on mountain tops, all you need is line of sight. I have hit repeaters some 30 miles away with a 5W handheld. There are no morse code requirements anymore for a technician license, just a pretty simple multiple guess test. You can also talk to your buddies when in a pack. When natural disasters (not that there are hurricanes anymore) strike, HAMs take over a lot of the emergency communications. Cell towers are gone. Despite the cellie craze, ham radio users have actually increased quite a bit. On the downside, if you're in a gulley, you are not likely to 'see' a repeater.
Here is a list of repeaters in INYO:
Inyo County amateur radio repeaters
In an emergency it is legal to 'mod' these units to transmit on marine bands as well as aircraft bands.
These things are pretty compact too:

Of course another alternative is a CB radio. Plenty of truckers use these, but you will need one with sideband along with an antenna. Sideband also allows up to 12 watts transmit power. Range is all about the antenna. With a center load antenna, you can get over 20 miles. In a forest or gully, your range will decrease dramatically, but you don't need exact line of sight. No license is required for CB.

 

[ptsailing]

A vhf/uhf hand held ham radio is a possible alternative to a SAT phone, much cheaper and no subscriptions. There are repeaters all over the place in CA, mostly on mountain tops, all you need is line of sight. I have hit repeaters some 30 miles away with a 5W handheld. There are no morse code requirements anymore for a technician license, just a pretty simple multiple guess test. You can also talk to your buddies when in a pack. When natural disasters (not that there are hurricanes anymore) strike, HAMs take over a lot of the emergency communications. Cell towers are gone. Despite the cellie craze, ham radio users have actually increased quite a bit. On the downside, if you're in a gulley, you are not likely to 'see' a repeater.
Here is a list of repeaters in INYO:
Inyo County amateur radio repeaters
In an emergency it is legal to 'mod' these units to transmit on marine bands as well as aircraft bands.
These things are pretty compact too:

Of course another alternative is a CB radio. Plenty of truckers use these, but you will need one with sideband along with an antenna. Sideband also allows up to 12 watts transmit power. Range is all about the antenna. With a center load antenna, you can get over 20 miles. In a forest or gully, your range will decrease dramatically, but you don't need exact line of sight. No license is required for CB.

Lots of good points in all of your guys posts.....I wheel alone quite often as well and take the necessary precautions.

A few details have come to light via my friend (who is friends with the lost guy).....It seems that this is not a case of being ill prepared to go wheeling alone, but a situation where mental illness was a concern. He had made some irregular communications (online-posts and then texts to family and friends.... then radio silent) that made his family believe that he may not be in a good mental state and needed some help. They did not believe it was to the point where the rescue authorities needed to be involved...but were concerned none the less. At the end of the day we all need a little help some times and I am glad he is home with his family.

I am glad this community is here to give sound advise and backup support when folks need it!
:bravo::bravo::hail:

 

[lockedlex]

...
Of course another alternative is a CB radio. Plenty of truckers use these, but you will need one with sideband along with an antenna. Sideband also allows up to 12 watts transmit power. Range is all about the antenna. With a center load antenna, you can get over 20 miles. In a forest or gully, your range will decrease dramatically, but you don't need exact line of sight. No license is required for CB.

Excellent point as well. Ham/CB just any additional communication devices to reach out in an emergency, I have one as well (good for between-vehicle communication too). I'm not too fond of the HAM licensing part, but in an emergency, I wouldn't care.

My issue is being able to reach the right person in an emergency. With a sat phone, I can directly reach anyone pretty much as long as I can see the sky (forests, bottom of a valley, cloudy day, storm, etc... not a problem) and then arrange for help. It also has an emergency GEOS button which will transmit my location to a predetermined group of people, so I don't have to chat. As an added bonus, I can receive texts for free and send them out as well (can send to phones or even email addresses). So there's that if I just want to "check in".

My worry with ham/CB is reaching the wrong folks, in the wrong location or not reaching anyone at all.

And yes, if you're in an OHV, like Hollister or Gorman, generally, you'll be around others so that's not too bad to be "alone" since it's sort of a park.

I did the Mojave Road about 6 years ago, took about 3-4 days to cross it, it's pretty much a dirt road, just one or two slightly technical points. However, I was with another truck and we had a total of 4 people with us. I would NOT want to break down in the middle of that road, although we did encounter some other groups, but they weren't exactly consistent.

Again, I think everyone on here generally knows their risk levels and most of this chat doesn't apply to us, but just glad this allowed us to open the conversation. Most threads are about building the truck, or modifying this or that... but rarely do we talk about "best practices."

There's a staggering % of off-roaders that I have encountered that don't carry spare food/water/fuel whatever. On some pretty desolate trails. Only have their cell phone (of course no cell signal) and are either alone or with their wife and kids. These are cringeworthy moments for me.

The really scary ones, by and large, are the folks in lifted newer pickups, 10k for a liftkit... 1 dollar worth of sense.