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| Hiking | 19.40 Miles |
7,280 AEG |
| | Hiking | 19.40 Miles | | | |
| 7,280 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Recently, I've been doing a lot of research and going thru old triplogs and by doing this I discovered this was my 20th trip out searching over the past 2 years. The following is a mix of my hike and some random thoughts. Keep in mind it bounces back in forth between hike and thoughts sometimes in the same paragraph.
This hike/search started out at 4am with a nice display of the Leonids Meteor Shower. Hiking a road in pitch black and silence makes your mind play tricks on you. One time, I started running because I thought a car from 87 was coming right at me. Every little sound that broke the silence was like watching a scary movie but knowing its not real but still being ascared anyway.
Two years ago today, a 60's guy,50's guy,40's guy,and a 20's year old Icewoman went on our 1st GPSjoe search hike. We would later run into a 30's year old on the ridgeline. Some of us have now moved up an age category  . SAR had taken the day off on Nov. 19, 2010 after searching the three previous days. They would resume the next day (closing access to all others) and then cancel their official search the next day after that.
With each new search hike, I appreciate and have a new understanding of the vastness of the Mazatzals and in particular the area from Mt. Peeley to Sheep Mountain. The last 5 days I've started from new areas for me and have seen some amazing scenery. These new starts are filled with history and beauty that needs to be witnessed firsthand. I know Joe's feet have touched many parts of these areas. Today, I reflected on how my year started with my son being hit by a car and how fortunate I am for him surviving and pretty much fully recovering in 6 months time. My priorities changed in an instant.
The allure of Sheep Mountain and searching for GPSJoe has become Motherlodesque to me. I just want to keep going back. The main goal obviously is to find GPSJoe but I haven't even scratched the surface of this prestine and rugged area. The fire has changed the landscape dramically mostly the south portion of the ridgeline. The north has stayed the same for the most part but there are some exceptions. The ridgeline is by far the fastest route to Sheep, but you can still encounter manzanita and other unfriendly terrain. But it is now like a freeway compared to what it was. The 6,6oo contour is great in some areas and impassable in others. Joe's last chance route is for the most part a great route but you can't always stay on that 6,400 contour due to the rock formations. Going from East to West along the north contour is easy to read and view the terrain and make adjustments accordingly. Going west to east in general is much harder to view and read that same terrain.
This trip was awesome in so many ways but not finding any clues always brings things down several notches. I have been discovering many subtle cairns along diferent routes some of which I know were place by Mark. I'm sure other searchers have also places cairns. I only saw two ribbows on the north side this time.
Next month if the weather holds, I plan on doing a few multiday backpacks. The North side in snow is absolutely stunning although I've only seen it twice.
It was great to meet Mark in the Mazzies. He and his three dogs have been searching for GPSJoe and have probably put in more days than everyone else combined.
I never actually met GPSJoe(Joe Domin) but I know the character of the man he was by the two main hiking partners he had and by the way he responded to the queries and comments of people. I was told his son Christian is at peace with that fact that his dad died doing something he loved in a place that he loved. He has also stated that if his father isn't found he can take solace in the fact that he is in a place he loved to go. |
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