Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Wade Brunette

Just remember folks, Wade's family can (and likely already have) come across this Board/this thread.

Just something to think about.

That's all I'm going to say.

Just got a call from SEKI SAR asking about a SPOT device. I didn't see one on him.

Is the SPOT website searchable by someone's name?

David,

If he had a SPOT and had set up a Spot Adventures account and you knew what his user ID is (mine is piotrowski), you could search for his User ID and then look at the Live Feed Map IF he had SPOTracking enabled for his device.

I don't think there's any way to search for a SPOT Shared Page for a SPOT user. They would have to provide you with the link to it.

SEKI press release:

http://bitsy.spinics.net/177

eeek-
Thanks for that update...I remain optomistic for a good outcome for Wade and all of those involved in the rescue effort.

Steve made a good point about Wades family possibly watching this thread, if so, and I believe I speak for the WPS forum:

To Wades family

is there anything - anything we can do for you?
Are you in Lone Pine waiting for news?
Can we be there with you?
Can we send you food, so that you don't have to think about if you've eaten or not, while you are praying for Wade's safe return?

Really - anything ask;

You have the Whitney Forum Family's ear.
Please post here or PM anyone on this thread (or Doug Sr, Steve C, Moosetracks, Richard P. Gigamike, Bob R - yep most the folks you see here) and we will be honored to help.

Been following this thread... Sending good thoughts and prayers from the PNW.

If the family is not following this thread, perhaps Rockwell (as he knows the SAR people), could give them a heads up to tell the family.

Hello. I am a distant relative & friend of Wade's. I am not in contact with his wife directly at the moment, but I can try... I've been emailing the rest of our family & Wade's daughter who is my sister-in-law. Today I sent a few climb photos of Wade from last year to the Park for the search. I used to climb, pre-kids, so I called a friend today who climbed Whitney a few years back to discuss the terrain. Talked to parks rep today and said it was still gusting up to 50 mph so no planes searching which is not good, but there are a lot of volunteers up there looking for him. We are so thankful - knowing Wade, he is mentally tough enough to hold out. I will try to get in touch with his wife & ask if you all can help in any way. She is there near the Park with her daughter-in-law waiting for word. Thank you all so much for you kind words, encouragement & prayers. It is heartwarming to read how much you all care...

For those who are not clear on the challenges of such a search, there is an excellent write-up on the most recent issue of Talus, the China Lake SAR group newsletter. While resulting in an unlikely outcome compared to this (found at home in bed sleeping), it documents some of the search techniques that must be getting used by the search pros involved. It is search 2009-03:

http://www.clmrg.org/tp%20July09.pdf

Anybody been up high lately? What are the conditions?

I'm flying over in the morning (pending the wind). I have no idea where I'll be on the search. Where is snow accumulation?

Thanks,
Daniel

Hi I'm one of Wade's daughters who lives in Australia. Thank you for all your search efforts and prayers. We are watching this site and have forwarded it on to other family members. We are still hoping that he will be found but are also preparing for the worst. Even though I am in contact with my mom and sister in Lone Pine several times a day, I still appreciate the updates.

Kathy;

Our hearts go out to you, if we could send e-hugs, we would - thousands of them. We will continue to hope and pray for your Dad.

much love,

As SanDi_Carole stated, this board's members will stop at nothing to help your mum & sister out. We are your extended family, we are all members of the same tribe. We are here, we have resources, and we don't want you to even hesitate to ask.

Dan: Please DO NOT FLY OVER THE SEARCH AREA -- it's closed to all air traffic because of helicopter/SAR traffic.

At the moment, the search area is Horseshoe Meadow; Siberian Pass; the Kern; north to Forester/Shepard Pass area. Heaviest SAR air traffic will be Crabtree/Whitney, but there's flights scheduled for all those other areas.

If anyone knows Dan, could you please get ahold of him and pass this on in case he doesn't see this message.

[EDIT: ooops. As my brain semi-engages, it occurs to me that maybe he's only flying to a staging area; not OVER the search area. Only 4 hours sleep last night. Also, there were a couple of low flyers in the search area today, so we're a little nervous... . thanks again. --gd]

Thanks!

George Durkee
NPS Sequoia Kings

George,
I'm with SMR, we're leaving from Ash on the SAR. If you're there in the morning I'll be sure to introduce myself this time. On the Bubb's I meant to and got side tracked when someone said the coffee was done. I'm bad at this effective communication thing.

Daniel: you and George and the rest all be careful out there. It's hitting the freezing mark here in B-town.

Say the word, and I'm there this weekend as your Sherpa. Ol' Bessie the 85L pack that walks and the ginormous bulbous quads are at your disposal. I gave my number to the Inyo SAR staying at the Hostel, as well.

Hope Kennedy Meadows turns out ok.

-L

Kennedy Meadows subject was located when we were in Tehachapi. By the time we got back to the Valley we were calls out to Whitney. Unfortunately tis the season. Everyone be safe out there. Laura, if I get into town at all, I'd love a cup of coffee. ;-)

Daniel, I'll be in town this morning. Give me a call. Are y'all at the Hostel?