7/12/10 - Yet another report of missing hikers in the Supes

[hippiepunkpirate]

azcentral.com - 7/12/10 - 2:51PM:

Three hikers have been missing for nearly a week after setting out to find the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine in the rugged Superstition Mountains east of Mesa, Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies said Monday.

Family members last heard from the three Utah residents Tuesday, when they left to search for the legendary treasure, Sheriff's spokesman Jeffrey Sprong said.

However, when family members had not heard from the three men, they contacted the sheriff's office, which began its search Sunday.

Family members told deputies that Kurtis Merworth, 49, Ardean Charles, 66, and Malcom Meeks, 41, planned on exploring the area during the day and spending the nights in a local motel. Sprong said that probably means the hikers did not have camping provisions.

Two of the men reportedly have medical conditions, and it is not known if they have their medications with them, Sprong said.

Their vehicle was located in the parking lot and according to Sprong, the car appeared to have been there for a few days.

Helicopters monitored the area Sunday, and a rescue team and volunteers were sent to search on horseback Monday. According to Sprong, the rescue teams, which were forced to take breaks in the excessive heat, had not found any clues.

Rescue teams were sent to find Merworth last year when he became lost on another hike to find the Lost Dutchman's gold, Sprong said. No other information regarding his rescue was available.

Sounds like they're done for.

[joebartels]

countsquirrelula
glad this one is solved

next

[chumley]

I'm sorry to be a stick-in-the-mud, but this is silly. The work that a volunteer SAR group is engaged in is not classified or law enforcement sensitive. If the attitude is that they are deliberately withholding details from the public, they need to get over themselves...

Jeff while I agree with you, there are "official" lines of communication, and I'm guessing that Suzaz's source is not somebody who is "authorized" to release information. As a friend of somebody who gave me information like this, I wouldn't post it in a public forum either.

Of course, none of this would be an issue if some "official" information had been released in the past 48 hours.

[azbackpackr]

Of course, none of this would be an issue if some "official" information had been released in the past 48 hours.

Which it hasn't, at least, none that I could find.

I have been on a few searches, and they caution searchers to not divulge information, since if they find the people dead, they don't want someone posting it first on HAZ, before the families are notified. Also they don't want random other people out there, messing up tracks, etc. They are supposed to have an information officer for keeping the public informed.

[chumley]

There was an update on the radio this morning, and a blurb on AZCentral dated around 9pm last night. There's no new information though. The search continues for a 5th day today.

I wonder when they give up the search and assume the worst?

[Jeffshadows]

I'm sorry to be a stick-in-the-mud, but this is silly. The work that a volunteer SAR group is engaged in is not classified or law enforcement sensitive. If the attitude is that they are deliberately withholding details from the public, they need to get over themselves...

Jeff while I agree with you, there are "official" lines of communication, and I'm guessing that Suzaz's source is not somebody who is "authorized" to release information. As a friend of somebody who gave me information like this, I wouldn't post it in a public forum either.

Of course, none of this would be an issue if some "official" information had been released in the past 48 hours.

My point is, then, he should not be giving it to her, either, if it is so sensitive.

[BobP]

Bob is on his cell phone more than any teenager I've ever met, so this is good news for him

I'm not sure how many miles we've done together or how may hikes....but I'll say several. I've used my cellphone 4 times on two hikes to make calls. Twice on the Motherlode...poor RJ not having money for the State Fair(which you still give me a hard time about) and the other call that trip was to "The Lost Dutchman who lost his camera". I took two calls in the chute of Secret Canyon. I did also use it to text on my nightime Supes hike. Most teenagers do that much in less than 30 seconds

[suzaz]

....and my point is different............

I followed along online with a Zion canyoneering SAR event a few weeks ago because I happened to be privy to some info prior to that search from one of the members on their team. Thankfully that search had a happy ending. Turns out a family member of the missing canyoneers (desperate for any information) joined the particular website where locals were having an online and timely discussion about the missing folks and their permitted canyon. The people on the site were able to help the family -- not scare the hell out of them. The locals noted that the canyon's approach could be confusing, it would be likely that they made a wrong turn and ended up in a particular impassable spot. They were right on the money---that's where the missing folks sat for 2 days stuck on a ledge.

With this one we all know mistakes were made...that's why SAR was called in the first place. There are many of us that are puzzled and scratching our heads. I'm just saying we never know who is desperately searching for information about their loved ones and I believe we need to be at least mindful and respectful of that. There are many local experts that are members of this site. I'll hold out hope that those of you that are local experts will be helpful not hurtful.

Again--sending positive thoughts to the missing folks, their families and the search teams.

[Jeffshadows]

This is all the more reason to make SAR completely the purview of Fire or Police professionals. They understand, based on ICS and experience, that the PIO is the only source of truth for the public and the Incident Commander is the only other person who may or may not choose to divulge details to family or other agencies, etc.

[suzaz]

http://www.desertusa.com/mb3/viewtopic. ... 3&start=30

[joebartels]

Bob is on his cell phone more than any teenager I've ever met, so this is good news for him

I'm not sure how many miles we've done together or how may hikes....but I'll say several. I've used my cellphone 4 times on two hikes to make calls. Twice on the Motherlode...poor RJ not having money for the State Fair(which you still give me a hard time about) and the other call that trip was to "The Lost Dutchman who lost his camera". I took two calls in the chute of Secret Canyon. I did also use it to text on my nightime Supes hike. Most teenagers do that much in less than 30 seconds

Okay I apologize here publicly.
Dang if it wasn't so dry here your river of cry would be flooding us all. I still love you man, let's go hike!

[DarthStiller]

Dang if it wasn't so dry here your river of cry would be flooding us all. I still love you man, let's go hike!

Sorry, couldn't read that last line.

[The_Eagle]

Dang if it wasn't so dry here your river of cry would be flooding us all. I still love you man, let's go hike!

Sorry, couldn't read that last line.

It says " Okay I apologize here publicly.
Dang if it wasn't so dry here your river of cry would be flooding us all. I still love you man, let's go hike!"

[BobP]

I still love you man, let's go hike!

I found a partner that bites me with his teeth and not his words http://www.iamranch.com/goldieboy3_6_10.htm

[Tough_Boots]

its now making national news and NY Times as of this morning says no new info as well

Search Turns Up No Sign of Men on AZ Treasure Hunt
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: July 15, 2010
Filed at 12:00 a.m. ET

APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. (AP) -- Authorities say there's still no sign of three Utah men reported missing while looking for the legendary Lost Dutchman Gold Mine in the rugged Arizona wilderness.

The hikers from Salt Lake City have been in the Superstition Mountains since at least Sunday, and possibly nearly a week. Maricopa County sheriff's officials say rescue workers braved triple-digit temperatures for a fourth day of searching Wednesday. Searchers reportedly have covered more than 100 miles so far.

Family members say 67-year-old Curtis Meriworth, 62-year-old Ardean Charles and 51-year-old Malcolm Meeks planned on hiking into the mountains and exploring the area about 40 miles east of Phoenix during the day and spending nights in a motel. Their vehicle was found Sunday, parked at a trailhead.

Treasure hunters have been looking for the Lost Dutchman mine for more than a century.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/07 ... f=aponline

[azbackpackr]

I belong to a non-profit search group, and we are supposed to keep things private. If we are on a search and there are family members there we are not supposed to talk to them or give them any information. There have been cases where foul play is suspected. What if that anxious family member is also a perpetrator?

Also, if you find that person dead, you are not supposed to be the one to tell the family member. They (the incident commanders) try to keep us searchers away from them and family away from us.

We may be a private group, but we are NEVER out there without law enforcement in charge. I mean NEVER EVER. For us, it is almost always either Greenlee County Sheriff, or New Mexico State Police.

So, if you think private groups are just running around out there randomly looking for people, Jeff, I think you are mistaken.

[Jeffshadows]

So, if you think private groups are just running around out there randomly looking for people, Jeff, I think you are mistaken.

I don't think that at all. In fact, I KNOW that is not the case. It still doesn't distract from my original point. In fact, I think the language and insinuations of your reply serve to bolster it.

[JimmyLyding]

Why is Bob scowling in the picture with his new puppy? Perhaps he's anticipating the extensive property damage that his home is about to receive? Of course the neurotic super-love that labradors provide a family will more than make up for it.

[Jeffshadows]

Liz, I'm not trying to get your hackles up. The SAR groups have some good people here and there. In previous threads of a similar nature I've discussed, ad nauseam, the factual and experienced-based reasoning behind my classification of SAR groups in AZ as cliques behaving like unregulated, untrained ambulance services. I would not expect a self-described member of one to agree with me...

[azbackpackr]

Actually I have experience only with the one up here so I would have to say you would know more about those other ones. However, up here, if the group that is called upon to do the job does not please the law enforcement agency who calls them, then guess what...no more calls for that group.

[nobert15]

http://www.azcentral.com/community/pina ... -dead.html