Just found this article in the Fresno Bee:
Camera mystery
On June 29, Michael Sykes of Fallbrook and his son, Mikey, were nearing the end of a four-day backpacking trip in Kings Canyon National Park when they came across a young man in his mid-20s who was walking gingerly.
The young man introduced himself as "Sean," said he was from Fresno and told them that chipmunks had eaten away the soles of his boots one night when he left them outside his tent.
"The guy could barely walk," Sykes says. "He had to cut his trip short because of the pain."
Sykes gave him a ride from the Onion Valley Trailhead to Independence, where "Sean" intended to take a bus back to Fresno. A couple days later, though, Sykes found the guy's camera in between the seats of his Jeep. He has no way of returning it.
Trying to help out, I phoned Sequoia & Kings Canyon public information officer Dana Dierkes to see if a "Sean" or a "Shawn" or even a "Shaun" had taken out a wilderness permit from Roads End during that time frame.
So far, nothing's turned up. But if you know "Sean," have him get in touch so he can be reunited with his camera and photos.
The reporter can be reached at marekw@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6218.
