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.

[Alston_Neal]

I can't possibly imagine treking in the Supes this time of year...
I feel sorry for their loved ones

[Sredfield]

I think that this, and the Jesse Capon incident, point strongly to foul play of some sort. May be a coincidence but how do three hikers get in such trouble? Heat is a possibility I guess, you'd think one could make it out for help.

[PaleoRob]

I think that this, and the Jesse Capon incident, point strongly to foul play of some sort. May be a coincidence but how do three hikers get in such trouble? Heat is a possibility I guess, you'd think one could make it out for help.

You think someone has found the gold and is making sure anyone that comes close won't come back to talk about it?

[big_load]

[quote

May be a coincidence but how do three hikers get in such trouble? Heat is a possibility I guess, you'd think one could make it out for help.

I'll bet on stupidity over malice every time.

From abc4.com ( http://www.abc4.com/mostpopular/story/3 ... UaNvA.cspx )

Family members said Curtis Merworth, Ardean Charles and Malcom Meeks set out for a day hike and had very little water.

[Tough_Boots]

I'll bet on stupidity over malice every time.

I agree.

Let's look at the scenario: last year a man goes into the desert in search of the lost mine, gets lost, and is pulled out by a rescue team. A year later this man finds two other men willing to follow him into the same desert. All three become lost and are never seen alive again.

2+2=4

[Sredfield]

I think that this, and the Jesse Capon incident, point strongly to foul play of some sort. May be a coincidence but how do three hikers get in such trouble? Heat is a possibility I guess, you'd think one could make it out for help.

You think someone has found the gold and is making sure anyone that comes close won't come back to talk about it?

I suspect some whack-job is "protecting" something that exists only in his imagination.

[joebartels]

If they aren't found in a few months I think one would be foolish not to suspect foul play.

[big_load]

For now I'll hope beyond all reason that they're huddled in the shade by Labarge Spring or Charlebois Spring. I suppose those have already been checked, though.

[Nighthiker]

Makes me wonder if they are looking for them where they said they would be or where they were found last year.

[joebartels]

how keen

[azbackpackr]

Interesting that the article focuses not only on the mother's insight into needing more water, but also the reporter went out of his way to showcase her bad grammar. So, the reporter is trying to send the message without coming out and saying so: this is a really ignorant guy.

[sirena]

Merworth said the three men weren't prepared. They marched into the hot Arizona mountain desert wearing tennis shoes, taking little water and no cellphone.

“They didn't think it was going to be that hot,” Merworth said. “I feel real bad. I hope they find them. I hope they're alive.”

Ok- I feel really bad for these guys families, but really? They didn't think it was going to be that hot- in ARIZONA- in the SUMMER?

[paulhubbard]

A comment to the story run on news.yahoo.com:
"They may have been picked up by border patrol and didn't have their proof of citizenship but are not at the station eating steak & egg breakfasts while watching donahue through the cell bars. They were deported and are now eating steak and egg burritos South of the border in some Mexican jail watching Dora the Explorer. "

Seriously, I hope they're found alive, but after a week in the desert without being prepared? The outcome may not be good...

[azbackpackr]

Any updates? I suppose if we have any HAZ members on a search team, they are out there, and presumably not on the internet. Glad I am not slogging around out there on the ground looking for them.

[Alston_Neal]

I think that this, and the Jesse Capon incident, point strongly to foul play of some sort. May be a coincidence but how do three hikers get in such trouble? Heat is a possibility I guess, you'd think one could make it out for help.

Ok I'll bite, who is Jesse Capon? Apparently a Canadian drummer isn't lost in the Supes....

[joebartels]

viewtopic.php?f=66&t=4740

[Jeffshadows]

Am I to understand this is the second time SAR has had to come after one of these three?

[Tough_Boots]

For now I'll hope beyond all reason that they're huddled in the shade by Labarge Spring or Charlebois Spring.

I can't imagine them still being alive anywhere else up there but I would be amazed if they made it that far from the First Water TH. The other possibility is they got trapped down an old mine shaft and if that's the case, we'll never know.

[azbackpackr]

Oh, come on, surely they will find 3 guys, even if they have passed away...

Be prepared, in the coming months, to have all your non-hiking friends "warn" you about the dangers of hiking in the Supes.

[joebartels]

I guess it's possible for all three to die in a mine in the Superstitions but I think the odds are extremely low. Even then you'd likely find gear nearby.