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johntp
Trad climber
Punter
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Mar 12, 2019 - 07:06pm PT
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Hoping for a miracle, but facts are facts. Food and fuel for 10-11 days (guessing on this), breaking trail solo in deep snow with high avy conditions. Seven days overdue. No sign of tracks or other indications.
Given the apparent plan he would have to average around 15 miles a day. Apparently he didn't find a way to bail out.
There is no sugar coating it.
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WBraun
climber
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Mar 12, 2019 - 07:10pm PT
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Still, sometimes it happens ...... they survive.
I've seen it happen a few times here when we thought the missing was toast for sure ....
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johntp
Trad climber
Punter
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Mar 12, 2019 - 07:17pm PT
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^^^^
Still, sometimes it happens ...... they survive.
I've seen it happen a few times here when we thought the missing was toast for sure ....
Hope you are right and it all ends well.
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johntp
Trad climber
Punter
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Mar 13, 2019 - 06:13pm PT
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Any news?
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aspendougy
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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Mar 13, 2019 - 06:28pm PT
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One possible scenario that has him still alive is that he went AWOL; this happens, guys want out of the military and just disappear. Only 5% end up being prosecuted; about 1% serve time. The military does not exert any real effort to hunt such people down, they have so many other problems. I am not saying I think he did this; it's doubtful considering his history. But if a person were going to do such a thing, that would be the time to do it, during a heavy snow storm.
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kunlun_shan
Mountain climber
SF, CA
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Mar 13, 2019 - 06:40pm PT
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^ John, am pasting below an excerpt from the most recent info at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6272/, which was current at 3/12/2019, 1:47:37 PM. No new details posted in the last 24 hrs.
Backcountry snow instability and weather issues (including high winds) have been a significant challenge. Both aerial and ground searched have identified avalanche activity, cornices, and snow bridges throughout the wilderness, including along the Sierra High Route. The search zone has been determined to be larger than the State of Rhode Island and consists of the 195-mile Sierra High Route as well as multiple points of potential exit.
In previous days, Inyo SAR was busy with aerial reconnaissance; areas covered included trails and surrounding area near Kearsarge Pass and Onion Valley Road. CHP Inland Division Air Operations assisted. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks performed searches via air along with on the ground in areas that were determined to be safe and accessible in the vicinity of Cedar Grove.
Future plans include inserting Inyo SAR and Mono SAR team members below Kearsarge Pass near Big Pothole Lake. Additional ground searches are also being coordinated by multiple agencies if searchers feel they can be inserted safely- avalanche issues will remain a point of concern.
Interesting that areas near Cedar Grove are being searched, on the west side of the Sierra. And also Big Pothole Lake, just below Kearsarge Pass. There must be some avalanche activity on the steep slope above the lake.
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hailman
Trad climber
Ventura, CA
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Mar 13, 2019 - 11:08pm PT
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The Cedar Grove search area must fall into the "multiple points of potential exit" criterion. From Kearsarge Pass, it's all downhill to Vidette Meadow and then a straight shot all the way down Bubbs Creek to Cedar Grove. No passes in the way along such an exit.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Mar 13, 2019 - 11:22pm PT
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One possible scenario that has him still alive is that he went AWOL
Yeah, it’s also possible that he was abducted by aliens. He’s a Marine officer. 🙄
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Mar 14, 2019 - 03:35am PT
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Pretty Shure the only time marine officers go awol is when they are partying hard and can't make it back to base on time.. When they do return they make amends by arriving with a truck load of beer stolen from the army.
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Chaz
Trad climber
Straight Outta Crafton
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Mar 14, 2019 - 06:13am PT
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A Tour of Duty in Afghanistan or Sierra in full Winter conditions....hmmm....tough choice....but probably far easier to survive Afghanistan for an officer.
I know an Army officer. His Mom says they all want to go to Afghanistan. She says "they like it there" and shakes her head.
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Mar 14, 2019 - 07:00am PT
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Hilarious, Tradman. A Marine buddy would probably agree. This poor guy is probably gone for good. Semper fi.
BAd
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10b4me
Social climber
Lida Junction
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Mar 14, 2019 - 08:53am PT
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Yeah, it’s also possible that he was abducted by aliens.
damn those central 'muricans.
Being gung ho doesn’t always translate to good decision making.
also doesn't mean someone has common sense.
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Ikat
Social climber
north of here
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Mar 14, 2019 - 08:56am PT
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Jeebus -
Lone Pine has a terrific taco truck.
Is there a link?
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enjoimx
Trad climber
Yosemite
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Mar 18, 2019 - 01:17pm PT
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Bump any new info
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Ikat
Social climber
north of here
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Mar 18, 2019 - 01:59pm PT
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On Saturday, March 16 Iniciweb made it’s last active posting announcing they were cutting back the active search and would no longer be posting updates.
They will continue to have SEKI doing intermittent reconnasiance as the weather improves and the snow declines.
They posted a statement “ Search and rescue authorities have been unable to locate evidence of Kraft’s location along his planned route”
They had everyone imaginable flying over the area, including heat-seeking radar that seemed to only pick up animals.
Avy SAR had tracked up to Kearsarge Pass and poked around the avalanches there to no avail. I believe 2 Marines were still going to continue active searching.
I hope the sping will bring news he has been found and bring closure to his familly
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enjoimx
Trad climber
Yosemite
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Mar 18, 2019 - 01:59pm PT
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Damn. What a crazy itinerary
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Ikat
Social climber
north of here
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Mar 18, 2019 - 02:01pm PT
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Conditions looked very good up there when the Avy SAR folks were searching
If Kraft had been able to take his trip a month later he might be regaling everyone with stories of his amazing journey.
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