1977 Airplane Crash in Yosemite

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Licky

Mountain climber
California
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 28, 2007 - 03:22am PT
For those following the thread, here is an addition.

I just talked to Jack Dorn's brother and sister-in-law. Very nice people and judging by what has been said about Jack, it runs in the family. I'll be meeting with them in the near future and if anything interesting comes up, I'll be sure and post it. I know many here knew Jack and were friends with him.

Stay tuned
Oli

Trad climber
Fruita, Colorado
Apr 29, 2007 - 04:40pm PT
I have followed this thread somewhat, not feeling the need to get involved. I will say, though, that much has not be said. And much may never be said, for one reason or another. Even with all these entries, only the surface has been tapped.

rectorsquid

climber
Lake Tahoe
Apr 30, 2007 - 06:56pm PT
It's been two years since the first post in this thread. That's a lot of time for researching a book (I've never written a book so I'm guessing). Any idea if there will ever actually be a book about this? When, two more years?

Dave
Jaybro

Social climber
The West
Apr 30, 2007 - 08:42pm PT
2 yrs is nothing
Licky

Mountain climber
California
Topic Author's Reply - May 25, 2007 - 01:20pm PT
This posting isn't intended to be a rant, so if anyone takes it as such I apologize.

Oli...

If you have followed this thread from top to bottom, one of the things you will notice is that many that made the trek up to the plane thirty years ago post on SuperTopo today. The purpose of my thread is not to tell a story, it is to ask people to contact me with their stories so I can research the Yosemite experience surrounding the event. There is so much more to this story than what went on after the plane crashed and people made off with the dope. I spelled this out pretty clearly in my first posting. Since then so many have contacted me and provided me with a wealth of information that as the days progressed it seemed to me that it was only fair to post bits and pieces that I have uncovered. I do it so people can recall things that they have forgotten. Many have either responded to some of the stories or the photos that I have posted. It has worked out very well for me as well as them. Every time I interview someone I usually bring to them photos and stories about the event that they had no idea about. The exchange of information has been both directions. Take the story of Jack Dorn. His family knew nothing about the plane crash and its contents much less of Jack's involvement. Even the pilot's wife Pam has been learning about the event from angles that she never knew about.

Rectorsquid...

I am not a writer by profession. I am an ex-mechanical engineer turned sales guy. I imagine that if I were making a living at cranking out novels I probably would have had at least one if not two finished by now as well as a screen play. Daily I spend anywhere from one to six hours doing phone and Internet research. I have traveled to three states to interview people face to face rather than just make a phone call.

All of my facts on this story must have at least three sources to confirm events that have been told to me by people. Printed documents have to have the name of the author, date, and the source of the publication. I have been given copies of newspaper articles that don't provide any of this. To research where this article came from and who wrote it thirty years ago is not an easy task considering I have my regular job to perform.

During the past two years I have found out many things about this event that had I gone with the original story and not spent any time really researching it, when it hit the printer you and many others would read it and know that it was just not true. If you read other accounts of this plane crash, and I don't mean just one, you will start to see just what I am talking about. Lets not forget about the stories from people that feel the need to participate even though they had nothing to do with it. Those stories have led me on some pretty wild goose chases. My intent is to tell the story and not expose people.

If you talk to one person about the event you will get a time line that they perceive as correct since they are speaking in the first person. They were there and remember it like it was yesterday. Talk to ten more and you quickly become aware that there are conflicting bits of information.

There will be one chapter dedicated to the rumors. Some of those will get a wink and a nod from those that have told the story from these angles thinking they heard the story from someone that knew. Or, as the old line goes, "I knew a guy that knew a guy that said he was there."
Hardman Knott

Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
May 25, 2007 - 01:28pm PT
Great 300th post, Licky!

I look forward to reading your book, and I'm glad you're taking your time.
I know it will be good.
Licky

Mountain climber
California
Topic Author's Reply - May 25, 2007 - 01:30pm PT
Thanks HK, I appreciate it.
Licky

Mountain climber
California
Topic Author's Reply - May 25, 2007 - 01:37pm PT
Just thought of a great story as a follow up on what I had just posted.

I have been contacted by a guy claiming his cousin spent time in Viet Nam with the pilot back in the late 60s and knew him well. After three emails from him I began to notice a couple of unusual consistencies in his text. He always started his sentences off with a lower case letter. He always used only the letter "u" instead of spelling out "you." And the more he wrote the worse his grammar and syntax became.

Today he started telling me that he has already spent considerable amount of his own money to help "this cause" and would like me to send him $2,000 as compensation to his son in the UK. After that he will then have his cousin get in touch with me.

So this is a new twist on the Nigerian letter scam operation.
Hardman Knott

Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
May 25, 2007 - 01:41pm PT
That's hilarious!!
#310

Social climber
Telluride, CO
Jun 1, 2007 - 12:08am PT
Rick,

I just read about this in Alpinist- maybe better late than never. I was the Valley Ranger who took the initial report of the plane crash in Jan. 1977. I have a few side stories to the main story from a former ranger's point of view. Email me if you want my stories.

Ranger #310
Licky

Mountain climber
California
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 2, 2007 - 02:06pm PT
Ranger, check your email. Love to talk to you

I just received my copy of Alpinist in the mail. Finally a publication that tells the story correctly and quotes me like I said it.
jiimmy

Boulder climber
san diego
Jun 2, 2007 - 02:21pm PT
I heard a bunch of the "dope hikers" bought houses up in Yosemite. At lest they didnt squander it away.
Licky

Mountain climber
California
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 2, 2007 - 02:28pm PT
There have been some very interesting stories from different people that made their way up to the site. Not all bought new cars.
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Jun 2, 2007 - 03:43pm PT
So did my January 31rst lead of Utica help you find Jack Dorn's relatives?
Jaybro

Social climber
The West
Jun 2, 2007 - 04:13pm PT
Didn't George Lucas, Steven Speilberg & Bill Gates schlep a load together? 's what I heard, anyway.
Ricardo Carlos

Trad climber
Off center, CO.
Jun 2, 2007 - 09:20pm PT
House money went thru several legit hands before house purchase. At least Yo west homes do not know about Foesta. But maybe it was just a dream and no plane crash or pot.
Licky

Mountain climber
California
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 2, 2007 - 09:48pm PT
Jaybro, sorry, but you did not post anything on Jan. 31st.
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Jun 2, 2007 - 10:20pm PT
Yoo hoo
Risk

Mountain climber
Minkler, CA
Jun 17, 2007 - 05:10pm PT
Hey Rick,

I have a few tales to tell about this event, a theory /rumor or two, some of the folklore, and someone who saw "the wallet?"

Send an email.
Tahoe climber

Trad climber
a dark-green forester out west
Jun 19, 2007 - 06:54pm PT
Anybody have a feel for when this book will be available?
I'd sure like a copy...
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