ALERT - Missing climber - Thunderbolt to Sill Traverse

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 1 - 20 of total 39 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
SEKI Info

climber
Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 11, 2017 - 01:45pm PT
The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are asking for assistance locating a missing climber: Thomas “Tom” Fennessy. Mr. Fennessy was last seen on Wednesday, August 9, when he departed from companions at Sam Mack Meadow, intending to complete the Thunderbolt Peak to Mount Sill Traverse alone. His companions reported him overdue to Inyo County Sheriffs Office on Thursday, August 10.

Mr. Fennessy is caucasion, 55 years old, and 5'8" tall. He was last seen wearing an orange jacket, red climbing helmet, yellow-green backpack, and black pants. He is an experienced solo rock climber.

Visitors to Palisades area and in particular in the vicinity of the Thunderbolt Peak to Mount Sill Traverse route are asked to be vigilant and report any sign of Mr. Fennessy to the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department at 760-878-0383 or Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks at 559-565-4351.

neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Aug 11, 2017 - 01:48pm PT
hey there say... :( prayers for someone to spot him...

Bad Climber

Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
Aug 11, 2017 - 01:59pm PT
Damn. Rough year in the Sierras. Hope they find him!

BAd
crankster

Trad climber
No. Tahoe
Aug 11, 2017 - 06:02pm PT
Hoping for the best. Lots of loose stuff on that traverse.
Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
Aug 11, 2017 - 07:55pm PT
Are those numbers correct? 5'8" / 200 lbs / age 55? Perhaps there's a mistake.
Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber
Out Of Bed
Aug 11, 2017 - 08:06pm PT
Such a sad thing, to have reached the point where the need to go should be tempered with great caution.I hope for a better outcome than the recent SAR posts.

Light and love to the worried and hope for a safe return of this old goat.

I've always wondered if that monicker "an Experienced Solo Rock Climber" - will attach more now that Han-love has brought the cordless to the fore?

As a very young climber I was taught to never crow about the fact that I went cordless
In would mess with people & their response would go to my head.


Ksolem, in that picture he looks every bit of of it,
10b4me

Mountain climber
Retired
Aug 11, 2017 - 09:04pm PT

Are those numbers correct? 5'8" / 200 lbs / age 55? Perhaps there's a mistake.

I wondered about that myself. Not the age so much, but the weight, and height.
Ya Can't Blanche

Social climber
Phoenix
Aug 11, 2017 - 09:33pm PT
He is our dear friend and we are very worried. Yes, that is the correct age, height, and weight. He is very fit and is a climbing fanatic. I pray he is found.
Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
Aug 11, 2017 - 10:31pm PT
We are all wishing for the best. It's a technical traverse with some exposure and altitude, but it also offers some good places to hunker down. Hopefully he'll get down on his own or be found in a safe spot.

It's gotta be tough waiting for news at a time like this. My thoughts are with you and for a good outcome...
ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber
ne'er–do–well
Aug 11, 2017 - 11:20pm PT
... he departed from companions at Sam Mack Meadow, intending to complete the Thunderbolt Peak to Mount Sill Traverse alone.
uh oh.
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Aug 12, 2017 - 01:35am PT
hey there, say, ß Î Ø T Ç, ... i know, as to the "uh oh" ...

nearly every time we read, "departed from companions, or, friends, fellow hikers, etc," things end up going wrong... makes me really wish,
that they had stayed together, or, just gone back...

*though, some do have happy endings...

to the friends of this man:

we are all hoping and praying (wishing, or good vibes, etc)
for a good outcome, here...

still, very sad though..
Ya Can't Blanche

Social climber
Phoenix
Aug 12, 2017 - 07:00am PT
Thank you all. We are just holding vigil and praying.
bajaandy

climber
Escondido, CA
Aug 12, 2017 - 07:50am PT
A lot of climbers in the area this time of year, so a lot of feet on the ground and a lot of eyes searching. My best to family and friends in this period of waiting. Hoping for a positive outcome.
Gary

Social climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
Aug 12, 2017 - 11:47am PT
Blanche, hope your friend is just hunkered down up there somewhere. Wishing for the best.
Capt.

climber
some eastside hovel
Aug 12, 2017 - 12:19pm PT
Lots of chopper activity in and out of Bishop today. They're certainly putting the time into the search. Hoping for the best for all friends and family.
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Aug 12, 2017 - 01:15pm PT
Hoping for the best and good ju-ju. What is the weather like in the Palisades?
kunlun_shan

Mountain climber
SF, CA
Aug 12, 2017 - 01:42pm PT
Am guessing its pretty clear, based on webcams in Bishop and Independence:

http://www.bishopweather.com

http://www.whitneyzone.com/webcam/will/willi.jpg
Capt.

climber
some eastside hovel
Aug 12, 2017 - 01:58pm PT
I was up at South Lake earlier and it was completely clear. Should be a good day for searching. Also the trailhead was packed. Even if not involved directly, that's a lot of eyeballs in the area. Again-positive vibes for a positive outcome.
Cadillac

Trad climber
Fallbrook, CA
Aug 12, 2017 - 04:28pm PT
I understand that they may have found this man? Does anybody have any further information?
micronut

Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
Aug 12, 2017 - 04:43pm PT
Hoping for a good outcome. It's a big place and a lot of technical terrain out there but there's lots of people searching and sounds like there's some really skilled folks out there looking for him.
Messages 1 - 20 of total 39 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta