Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Resuming Search: Larry Conn remains recovered

Hello Members,

We at High Sierra Topix are conducting a search for one
of our members who went missing during a trip 10/19/12-
10/22/12 in the Taboose Pass area.
Would like to see if any of you have photos that were
taken 10/20 or 10/21 so we can establish what Larry saw
at the time of his backpacking trip. With the information
that these photos may provide we hope to narrow down the
possible routes he may have chosen because of the threat
of an incoming system. Thank you for any help you can
provide.

http://www.highsierratopix.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8867



Edit: Changed the title. Updates begin here.

Maverick,

I wish you and the others the best luck possible in the renewed search. We maintained a running log of the search and the Seki news releases last October in this thread :

    "Overdue Hiker"

I don't recall anyone from this forum writing anything about being in the area the same time. But if they were, PLEASE post here or contact Maverick.

It is really sad that no sign if Larry Conn was found. The blanket of new snow did not help. Once all the snow melts, I am hopeful someone will come upon some of his gear.

Thank you Steve for the support. Mav

This discussion has been reactivated at HST in preparation for the resumed search.

In particular, the search organizers are looking for resupply support over Taboose Pass. This appears to be key to the search effort, so any support from packers or high capacity hikers I am sure will be appreciated.

Last I read, Inyo was still not deviating from the trailhead quota to help with this semi-organized volunteer search effort. The quota for Taboose Pass is 10 per day.

Inyo (not sure why they're referring to SEKI for Taboose Pass Inyo trailhead permits) still won't allow extra permits for this volunteer search, reason being, "wilderness character being disturbed." Wilderness character protection is important for sure, but it needs common sense applied for special situations like this temporary search effort and for special high impact zones like Whitney. In this case, it's probably just an excuse to avoid any liability, but even so, "wilderness character" is misused either way.

This has been an interesting thread over on High Sierra Topix. Here's a parallel thread with Ken and another guy heatedly debated the value of a volunteer effort vs trained SAR personnel. The SAR guy made some good points, but he was dismissive of volunteer help and came across somewhat arrogant in my reading of it. I understand how volunteers can be difficult to manage, but they would be just looking, not taking rescue action. Ironically, SAR will not be launching a major effort to find Larry due to funding cuts, so it's either a volunteer effort or pretty much nothing. Meanwhile, his 89-yr old mother waits and wonders what is wrong with these people trying to stop volunteers from looking for her son. They're looking for support writing to Congress to draw attention to the matter.

Edited to add the appeal to congress and clarity.

Maverick, I went in for 14 days solo right after Larry Disappeared. I went in at Horseshoe and came out at Shepherds pass. The search teams were about as we dropped off my Rig at Simmes creek T. H. I had a young Cat follow me for a couple Days before shepherds pass and it acted quite odd compared to other Big Cat encounters I have had in the Past. It had No fear and seemed very Comfortable following me and getting Too Close at Nite. Now, I don't know if it had anything to do with Larry, However You All Should be aware of this and be on your Guard . Larry went down and it could be a multiple of things that caused it. Years ago Norman Clyde found young Starr after all others searching had given up Hope. I believe that his Father paid Norman to head out and search. He searched for some time . He found the Young Mountaineers Body by following the Flies one day near a summit. I would offer to help but, I am not able to take off right now , do to Work Load. I wish you All the Best in his search as I was on SAR at one time. In this regard, I believe that he will be found By Caring individuals or a solitary Traveler ... who literally Stumbles upon him, or sees him below . The family will be grateful for closure. Keep us all appraised. Good Hunting and Be Safe. Talk to the U. S. Forrest Service Head Supervisor and see if you can have quota temp. waved for the search. Sierra Angler

We need a lot of folks to write their representatives
bringing this issue to light. The info and website to
check who your local representative is, can be found on
the HST site.
Please be part of the "wave" so we can get the quota
changed for those days, only with a mass write-in effort
will our politicians listen and act! We have connections
in Washington already mobilized on our behalf, but want
to get local politicians to hear from us locals to.
Also if you would like to participate we still need
folks to join our teams of searchers, the more
experienced folks we have the better our chances of
success in finding Larry and bring closure for his mother.

Thanks,
Mav

Do you think you could get enough siggies on a White House Petition? I'll sign.

Maverick, a bullet list of "talking points" can help people formulate their thoughts in a letter, keep the letters consistently focused, but retain originality.

Make sure you are barking up the right trees. As Mav pointed out to me, although Inyo controls the TH, they are not making the decision alone: most of the affected territory is SEKI, so they need to be on board, too. I would target the Inyo and SEKI management at their level of cooperation before going over pay grade to either NPS or USFS level.

Is it possible to get some authorized SAR holy water sprinkled on this? Is there any other entity that is not subject to TH quotas? Research? Commercial rec permit?

Are there other THs? E.g., I am on the JMT SB in August, but if the timing matched with this effort, I would gladly make a side trip.

"George" has posted with links to a flyer, and has invited everyone to print and post the flyer in their local backpacking stores, such as any local REI outlets.

His post is here: Larry Conn Missing Flyer and Map Link

SEKI NPS & Inyo NF has given us the waiver and are allowing us to
conduct our search! Thanks for your help!

SO glad to hear that. I know you have a lot of higher priorities, but it would be very interesting to know sometime the process of getting that done.

Good work, and best for the search.

Keep us posted on plans as they develop. We get new members/readers/posters here all the time, keep the updates coming

Good work, Mav. It's nice to reaffirm that common sense can still prevail over bureaucratic BS, with sustained leadership effort and public support. People are so divided and so afraid to act on so many issues these days, it's great to see a win. Godspeed. I hope to join in the search.

Hi Salty,

Can't comment on the particulars, let's say it took knowing
the right people, having folks in the system who cared and
were effected by this tragedy, putting the appropriate
pressure on the right folks, and being very persistent and
extremely patient.

Hi SierraNeveda,

Thanks of the PM. It is sad that many folks are afraid or don't
care to get involved in a lot of things now a days that in the
long run will effect their life. Many folks will only get mad
enough to act if the gas prices go high enough, and this
is indicative of the me,me me, I, I, I, society we have sadly become.
So many of us decades ago grew up wishing we could be a
fireman, law in forcement, SAR, soldier (2 tours USMC myself) or
involved in some sort of humanitarian organization to help others.
6 days out of 365 is a small investment in such a humanitarian
effort which will bring those involved, no matter the outcome, a
sense of peace and fulfillment in this craziness we call life.

Peace,
Mav

An attaboy to Maverick for all his hard work on this. Eventually, the good guys do win. As he says, you just have to find the right people and be relentless. It doesn't hurt to be right in the process.

g.

This is an honorable endeavor which is very reminiscent of the bond of brothers-in-arms of the military. It is my sincerest hope that you will be successful in bringing peace and closure to the family and that Larry can be properly laid to rest.

While I am no use to the team (lack of backcountry skills), I have appealed to others more suitable in hopes that they can stand in for me.

Thanks George and Bee!
I appreciate you getting the word out, we need searchers, no
climbing experience is needed, folks will be assigned to teams
according to their experience and not asked to do anything
outside of their comfort levels. Safety for all involved is my
number one priority, besides find Larry. Mav

Particulars not important: this says it. Thanks for the leadership on this