Authorities are expanding their effort to find a 73-year-old Washington state man who has not returned from a solo day hike Sunday up Mount Whitney.
Kenneth “Wade” Brunette, of Hansville, Wash. was last seen by a group of hikers about 3:45 p.m. Sunday a mile and a half shy of the 14,494- foot summit on the east side of Sequoia National Park, according to the National Park Service.
Brunette had set off from on the trail from Whitney Portal to the peak at dawn that morning, but may not have reached the summit because he appeared not to have signed the peak’s logbook, according to Adrienne Freeman, a spokeswoman for the national park.
Brunette’s family reported him overdue Monday afternoon and the search for him began Tuesday. Officials described Brunette as an experienced and fit hiker. He was last seen wearing a royal blue jacket and tan pants, they said.
About 50 rescue personnel, including dog teams and a pair of helicopter crews were involved in the search, which began Tuesday and has been expanded to the east and west side of Sierra crest.
Those who were in the backcountry this week around the Mount Whitney summit or areas of Sequoia National Park around Crabtree Meadow or Mount Russell are asked to contact investigators if they saw someone matching Brunette’s description.
Authorities are expanding their effort to find a 73-year-old Washington state man who has not returned from a solo day hike Sunday up Mount Whitney.
Kenneth “Wade” Brunette, of Hansville, Wash. was last seen by a group of hikers about 3:45 p.m. Sunday a mile and a half shy of the 14,494- foot summit on the east side of Sequoia National Park, according to the National Park Service.
Brunette had set off from on the trail from Whitney Portal to the peak at dawn that morning, but may not have reached the summit because he appeared not to have signed the peak’s logbook, according to Adrienne Freeman, a spokeswoman for the national park.
Brunette’s family reported him overdue Monday afternoon and the search for him began Tuesday. Officials described Brunette as an experienced and fit hiker. He was last seen wearing a royal blue jacket and tan pants, they said.
About 50 rescue personnel, including dog teams and a pair of helicopter crews were involved in the search, which began Tuesday and has been expanded to the east and west side of Sierra crest.
Those who were in the backcountry this week around the Mount Whitney summit or areas of Sequoia National Park around Crabtree Meadow or Mount Russell are asked to contact investigators if they saw someone matching Brunette’s description. ======================== Shame. Wonder if he had a heart attack? (Still could be foul play, so no OT.) jc
Missing Hiker Found Deceased A 73-year-old hiker missing on Mount Whitney in Sequoia National Park since earlier this week was found dead Saturday, park officials said.
The body of Kenneth Wade Brunette was found shortly before 1 p.m. Pacific Coast time by a dog team on the eastern slope of the 14,494-foot mountain.
The search for Mr. Brunette began on Tuesday after he failed to return from a day hike to the summit of Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the contiguous United States. Search efforts were complicated by extremely windy, cold conditions during the early part of the week, park officials said. The cause of the man's death is under investigation.
Approximately 100 people, including dog teams and ground searchers, and four helicopters, participated in the search.
> Authorities are expanding their effort to find a 73-year-old > Washington state man who has not returned from a solo day hike Sunday > up Mount Whitney.
> Kenneth “Wade” Brunette, of Hansville, Wash. was last seen by a group > of hikers about 3:45 p.m. Sunday a mile and a half shy of the 14,494- > foot summit on the east side of Sequoia National Park, according to > the National Park Service.
> Brunette had set off from on the trail from Whitney Portal to the peak > at dawn that morning, but may not have reached the summit because he > appeared not to have signed the peak’s logbook, according to Adrienne > Freeman, a spokeswoman for the national park.
> Brunette’s family reported him overdue Monday afternoon and the search > for him began Tuesday. Officials described Brunette as an experienced > and fit hiker. He was last seen wearing a royal blue jacket and tan > pants, they said.
> About 50 rescue personnel, including dog teams and a pair of > helicopter crews were involved in the search, which began Tuesday and > has been expanded to the east and west side of Sierra crest.
> Those who were in the backcountry this week around the Mount Whitney > summit or areas of Sequoia National Park around Crabtree Meadow or > Mount Russell are asked to contact investigators if they saw someone > matching Brunette’s description. > ======================== > Shame. Wonder if he had a heart attack? (Still could be foul play, so no > OT.) jc
Could be he died of exposure too. If it gets nearly as cold there, at night, as it does here... They didn't say how he was dressed, if he had any cold weather gear, the jacket and pants description doesn't sound nearly warm enough. That's so sad though.
> Missing Hiker Found Deceased > A 73-year-old hiker missing on Mount Whitney in Sequoia National Park since > earlier this week was found dead Saturday, park officials said.
> The body of Kenneth Wade Brunette was found shortly before 1 p.m. Pacific > Coast time by a dog team on the eastern slope of the 14,494-foot mountain.
> The search for Mr. Brunette began on Tuesday after he failed to return from > a day hike to the summit of Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the > contiguous United States. Search efforts were complicated by extremely > windy, cold conditions during the early part of the week, park officials > said. The cause of the man's death is under investigation.
> Approximately 100 people, including dog teams and ground searchers, and four > helicopters, participated in the search.
> Authorities are expanding their effort to find a 73-year-old > Washington state man who has not returned from a solo day hike Sunday > up Mount Whitney.
> Kenneth “Wade” Brunette, of Hansville, Wash. was last seen by a group > of hikers about 3:45 p.m. Sunday a mile and a half shy of the 14,494- > foot summit on the east side of Sequoia National Park, according to > the National Park Service.
> Brunette had set off from on the trail from Whitney Portal to the peak > at dawn that morning, but may not have reached the summit because he > appeared not to have signed the peak’s logbook, according to Adrienne > Freeman, a spokeswoman for the national park.
> Brunette’s family reported him overdue Monday afternoon and the search > for him began Tuesday. Officials described Brunette as an experienced > and fit hiker. He was last seen wearing a royal blue jacket and tan > pants, they said.
> About 50 rescue personnel, including dog teams and a pair of > helicopter crews were involved in the search, which began Tuesday and > has been expanded to the east and west side of Sierra crest.
> Those who were in the backcountry this week around the Mount Whitney > summit or areas of Sequoia National Park around Crabtree Meadow or > Mount Russell are asked to contact investigators if they saw someone > matching Brunette’s description. > ======================== > Shame. Wonder if he had a heart attack? (Still could be foul play, so no > OT.) jc
Could be he died of exposure too. If it gets nearly as cold there, at night, as it does here... They didn't say how he was dressed, if he had any cold weather gear, the jacket and pants description doesn't sound nearly warm enough. That's so sad though.
It IS sad. The first article said he was fit and an experienced hiker, so he'd be prepared one would think. Usually falls are involved if death happened relatively soon near the disappearance, but since that wasn't reported, that's why I was thinking natural causes. Hope we find out.
> Missing Hiker Found Deceased > A 73-year-old hiker missing on Mount Whitney in Sequoia National Park > since > earlier this week was found dead Saturday, park officials said.
> The body of Kenneth Wade Brunette was found shortly before 1 p.m. Pacific > Coast time by a dog team on the eastern slope of the 14,494-foot mountain.
> The search for Mr. Brunette began on Tuesday after he failed to return > from > a day hike to the summit of Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the > contiguous United States. Search efforts were complicated by extremely > windy, cold conditions during the early part of the week, park officials > said. The cause of the man's death is under investigation.
> Approximately 100 people, including dog teams and ground searchers, and > four > helicopters, participated in the search.
> > Authorities are expanding their effort to find a 73-year-old > > Washington state man who has not returned from a solo day hike Sunday > > up Mount Whitney.
> > Kenneth “Wade” Brunette, of Hansville, Wash. was last seen by a group > > of hikers about 3:45 p.m. Sunday a mile and a half shy of the 14,494- > > foot summit on the east side of Sequoia National Park, according to > > the National Park Service.
> > Brunette had set off from on the trail from Whitney Portal to the peak > > at dawn that morning, but may not have reached the summit because he > > appeared not to have signed the peak’s logbook, according to Adrienne > > Freeman, a spokeswoman for the national park.
> > Brunette’s family reported him overdue Monday afternoon and the search > > for him began Tuesday. Officials described Brunette as an experienced > > and fit hiker. He was last seen wearing a royal blue jacket and tan > > pants, they said.
> > About 50 rescue personnel, including dog teams and a pair of > > helicopter crews were involved in the search, which began Tuesday and > > has been expanded to the east and west side of Sierra crest.
> > Those who were in the backcountry this week around the Mount Whitney > > summit or areas of Sequoia National Park around Crabtree Meadow or > > Mount Russell are asked to contact investigators if they saw someone > > matching Brunette’s description. > > ======================== > > Shame. Wonder if he had a heart attack? (Still could be foul play, so no > > OT.) jc
> Could be he died of exposure too. If it gets nearly as cold there, at > night, as it does here... They didn't say how he was dressed, if he > had any cold weather gear, the jacket and pants description doesn't > sound nearly warm enough. That's so sad though.
> It IS sad. The first article said he was fit and an experienced hiker, so > he'd be prepared one would think. Usually falls are involved if death > happened relatively soon near the disappearance, but since that wasn't > reported, that's why I was thinking natural causes. Hope we find out.
You know, I was talking to my hubby about this, and he mentioned something to me... There is the possibility that the guy went out hiking, decided that he had had a very nice life and that was a nice place to rest a while. It just doesn't seem to fit that an experienced hiker would go to the peak without proper gear, just in case (and it doesn't have to weigh a ton). Heck, the fourteeners here can get pretty cold here in the summer, don't imagine those are much different.
> > Missing Hiker Found Deceased > > A 73-year-old hiker missing on Mount Whitney in Sequoia National Park > > since > > earlier this week was found dead Saturday, park officials said.
> > The body of Kenneth Wade Brunette was found shortly before 1 p.m. Pacific > > Coast time by a dog team on the eastern slope of the 14,494-foot mountain.
> > The search for Mr. Brunette began on Tuesday after he failed to return > > from > > a day hike to the summit of Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the > > contiguous United States. Search efforts were complicated by extremely > > windy, cold conditions during the early part of the week, park officials > > said. The cause of the man's death is under investigation.
> > Approximately 100 people, including dog teams and ground searchers, and > > four > > helicopters, participated in the search.
> > Authorities are expanding their effort to find a 73-year-old > > Washington state man who has not returned from a solo day hike Sunday > > up Mount Whitney.
> > Kenneth “Wade” Brunette, of Hansville, Wash. was last seen by a group > > of hikers about 3:45 p.m. Sunday a mile and a half shy of the 14,494- > > foot summit on the east side of Sequoia National Park, according to > > the National Park Service.
> > Brunette had set off from on the trail from Whitney Portal to the peak > > at dawn that morning, but may not have reached the summit because he > > appeared not to have signed the peak’s logbook, according to Adrienne > > Freeman, a spokeswoman for the national park.
> > Brunette’s family reported him overdue Monday afternoon and the search > > for him began Tuesday. Officials described Brunette as an experienced > > and fit hiker. He was last seen wearing a royal blue jacket and tan > > pants, they said.
> > About 50 rescue personnel, including dog teams and a pair of > > helicopter crews were involved in the search, which began Tuesday and > > has been expanded to the east and west side of Sierra crest.
> > Those who were in the backcountry this week around the Mount Whitney > > summit or areas of Sequoia National Park around Crabtree Meadow or > > Mount Russell are asked to contact investigators if they saw someone > > matching Brunette’s description. > > ======================== > > Shame. Wonder if he had a heart attack? (Still could be foul play, so no > > OT.) jc
> Could be he died of exposure too. If it gets nearly as cold there, at > night, as it does here... They didn't say how he was dressed, if he > had any cold weather gear, the jacket and pants description doesn't > sound nearly warm enough. That's so sad though.
> It IS sad. The first article said he was fit and an experienced hiker, so > he'd be prepared one would think. Usually falls are involved if death > happened relatively soon near the disappearance, but since that wasn't > reported, that's why I was thinking natural causes. Hope we find out.
You know, I was talking to my hubby about this, and he mentioned something to me... There is the possibility that the guy went out hiking, decided that he had had a very nice life and that was a nice place to rest a while. It just doesn't seem to fit that an experienced hiker would go to the peak without proper gear, just in case (and it doesn't have to weigh a ton). Heck, the fourteeners here can get pretty cold here in the summer, don't imagine those are much different.
Poor guy (and his family). ========== You mean he offed himself? There was a case posted here a few years ago of a long distance cyclist, young woman, who did that, went on a long ride and in a remote area hung herself from a tree. Took forever for her body to be found.
> > Missing Hiker Found Deceased > > A 73-year-old hiker missing on Mount Whitney in Sequoia National Park > > since > > earlier this week was found dead Saturday, park officials said.
> > The body of Kenneth Wade Brunette was found shortly before 1 p.m. > > Pacific > > Coast time by a dog team on the eastern slope of the 14,494-foot > > mountain.
> > The search for Mr. Brunette began on Tuesday after he failed to return > > from > > a day hike to the summit of Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the > > contiguous United States. Search efforts were complicated by extremely > > windy, cold conditions during the early part of the week, park officials > > said. The cause of the man's death is under investigation.
> > Approximately 100 people, including dog teams and ground searchers, and > > four > > helicopters, participated in the search.
> > > Authorities are expanding their effort to find a 73-year-old > > > Washington state man who has not returned from a solo day hike Sunday > > > up Mount Whitney.
> > > Kenneth “Wade” Brunette, of Hansville, Wash. was last seen by a group > > > of hikers about 3:45 p.m. Sunday a mile and a half shy of the 14,494- > > > foot summit on the east side of Sequoia National Park, according to > > > the National Park Service.
> > > Brunette had set off from on the trail from Whitney Portal to the peak > > > at dawn that morning, but may not have reached the summit because he > > > appeared not to have signed the peak’s logbook, according to Adrienne > > > Freeman, a spokeswoman for the national park.
> > > Brunette’s family reported him overdue Monday afternoon and the search > > > for him began Tuesday. Officials described Brunette as an experienced > > > and fit hiker. He was last seen wearing a royal blue jacket and tan > > > pants, they said.
> > > About 50 rescue personnel, including dog teams and a pair of > > > helicopter crews were involved in the search, which began Tuesday and > > > has been expanded to the east and west side of Sierra crest.
> > > Those who were in the backcountry this week around the Mount Whitney > > > summit or areas of Sequoia National Park around Crabtree Meadow or > > > Mount Russell are asked to contact investigators if they saw someone > > > matching Brunette’s description. > > > ======================== > > > Shame. Wonder if he had a heart attack? (Still could be foul play, so no > > > OT.) jc
> > Could be he died of exposure too. If it gets nearly as cold there, at > > night, as it does here... They didn't say how he was dressed, if he > > had any cold weather gear, the jacket and pants description doesn't > > sound nearly warm enough. That's so sad though.
> > It IS sad. The first article said he was fit and an experienced hiker, so > > he'd be prepared one would think. Usually falls are involved if death > > happened relatively soon near the disappearance, but since that wasn't > > reported, that's why I was thinking natural causes. Hope we find out.
> You know, I was talking to my hubby about this, and he mentioned > something to me... There is the possibility that the guy went out > hiking, decided that he had had a very nice life and that was a nice > place to rest a while. It just doesn't seem to fit that an > experienced hiker would go to the peak without proper gear, just in > case (and it doesn't have to weigh a ton). Heck, the fourteeners here > can get pretty cold here in the summer, don't imagine those are much > different.
> Poor guy (and his family).
I know someone who hiked Mt. Whitney (highest point in continental USA) and he said it could be done as a day hike or a two or three day hike. Round trip is 22 miles. He was young at the time and went with a group of friends during summer. They really didn't know much about it and ended up doing it as a day hike. He was in good shape at the time but said next time he would probably do it over two days. I wonder why Brunette chose to do it over one day.
From accounts on another forum, sounds like he was disoriented earlier in the day. See page 3. Thought he was going up a trail when he was going down it.
> > > Authorities are expanding their effort to find a 73-year-old > > > Washington state man who has not returned from a solo day hike Sunday > > > up Mount Whitney.
> > > Kenneth “Wade” Brunette, of Hansville, Wash. was last seen by a group > > > of hikers about 3:45 p.m. Sunday a mile and a half shy of the 14,494- > > > foot summit on the east side of Sequoia National Park, according to > > > the National Park Service.
> > > Brunette had set off from on the trail from Whitney Portal to the peak > > > at dawn that morning, but may not have reached the summit because he > > > appeared not to have signed the peak’s logbook, according to Adrienne > > > Freeman, a spokeswoman for the national park.
> > > Brunette’s family reported him overdue Monday afternoon and the search > > > for him began Tuesday. Officials described Brunette as an experienced > > > and fit hiker. He was last seen wearing a royal blue jacket and tan > > > pants, they said.
> > > About 50 rescue personnel, including dog teams and a pair of > > > helicopter crews were involved in the search, which began Tuesday and > > > has been expanded to the east and west side of Sierra crest.
> > > Those who were in the backcountry this week around the Mount Whitney > > > summit or areas of Sequoia National Park around Crabtree Meadow or > > > Mount Russell are asked to contact investigators if they saw someone > > > matching Brunette’s description. > > > ======================== > > > Shame. Wonder if he had a heart attack? (Still could be foul play, so no > > > OT.) jc
> > Could be he died of exposure too. If it gets nearly as cold there, at > > night, as it does here... They didn't say how he was dressed, if he > > had any cold weather gear, the jacket and pants description doesn't > > sound nearly warm enough. That's so sad though.
> > It IS sad. The first article said he was fit and an experienced hiker, so > > he'd be prepared one would think. Usually falls are involved if death > > happened relatively soon near the disappearance, but since that wasn't > > reported, that's why I was thinking natural causes. Hope we find out.
> You know, I was talking to my hubby about this, and he mentioned > something to me... There is the possibility that the guy went out > hiking, decided that he had had a very nice life and that was a nice > place to rest a while. It just doesn't seem to fit that an > experienced hiker would go to the peak without proper gear, just in > case (and it doesn't have to weigh a ton). Heck, the fourteeners here > can get pretty cold here in the summer, don't imagine those are much > different.
> Poor guy (and his family). > ========== > You mean he offed himself? There was a case posted here a few years ago of a > long distance cyclist, young woman, who did that, went on a long ride and in > a remote area hung herself from a tree. Took forever for her body to be > found.
> jc
It was a suggestion from hubby. That he just sat down, knowing that nature would take care of him overnight. Not so much a violent self annihilation, as just sitting down, going to sleep, and not waking up.
I don't know, earthage posted something that adds a new level though... If he was disoriented earlier, it's quite possible he'd had a slight stroke, and therefore wasn't thinking clearly, and it could have been an accident (he should have been in the hospital, rather than hiking the Mountain). Death by misadventure?
> > > > Authorities are expanding their effort to find a 73-year-old > > > > Washington state man who has not returned from a solo day hike Sunday > > > > up Mount Whitney.
> > > > Kenneth “Wade” Brunette, of Hansville, Wash. was last seen by a group > > > > of hikers about 3:45 p.m. Sunday a mile and a half shy of the 14,494- > > > > foot summit on the east side of Sequoia National Park, according to > > > > the National Park Service.
> > > > Brunette had set off from on the trail from Whitney Portal to the peak > > > > at dawn that morning, but may not have reached the summit because he > > > > appeared not to have signed the peak’s logbook, according to Adrienne > > > > Freeman, a spokeswoman for the national park.
> > > > Brunette’s family reported him overdue Monday afternoon and the search > > > > for him began Tuesday. Officials described Brunette as an experienced > > > > and fit hiker. He was last seen wearing a royal blue jacket and tan > > > > pants, they said.
> > > > About 50 rescue personnel, including dog teams and a pair of > > > > helicopter crews were involved in the search, which began Tuesday and > > > > has been expanded to the east and west side of Sierra crest.
> > > > Those who were in the backcountry this week around the Mount Whitney > > > > summit or areas of Sequoia National Park around Crabtree Meadow or > > > > Mount Russell are asked to contact investigators if they saw someone > > > > matching Brunette’s description. > > > > ======================== > > > > Shame. Wonder if he had a heart attack? (Still could be foul play, so no > > > > OT.) jc
> > > Could be he died of exposure too. If it gets nearly as cold there, at > > > night, as it does here... They didn't say how he was dressed, if he > > > had any cold weather gear, the jacket and pants description doesn't > > > sound nearly warm enough. That's so sad though.
> > > It IS sad. The first article said he was fit and an experienced hiker, so > > > he'd be prepared one would think. Usually falls are involved if death > > > happened relatively soon near the disappearance, but since that wasn't > > > reported, that's why I was thinking natural causes. Hope we find out.
> > You know, I was talking to my hubby about this, and he mentioned > > something to me... There is the possibility that the guy went out > > hiking, decided that he had had a very nice life and that was a nice > > place to rest a while. It just doesn't seem to fit that an > > experienced hiker would go to the peak without proper gear, just in > > case (and it doesn't have to weigh a ton). Heck, the fourteeners here > > can get pretty cold here in the summer, don't imagine those are much > > different.
> > Poor guy (and his family).
> I know someone who hiked Mt. Whitney (highest point in continental > USA) and he said it could be done as a day hike or a two or three day > hike. Round trip is 22 miles. He was young at the time and went with > a group of friends during summer. They really didn't know much > about it and ended up doing it as a day hike. He was in good > shape at the time but said next time he would probably do it > over two days. I wonder why Brunette chose to do it over one day.
How interesting... the article claims that Whitney is only 14,494, but it's actually over 20,000 feet. I was about to write and say that we had peaks here that were over 16,000 (9 I think), within Colorado. Wonder how they got the summit height wrong?
> From accounts on another forum, sounds like he was disoriented earlier > in the day. See page 3. Thought he was going up a trail when he was > going down it.
That is so sad. I wonder if he had a mild stroke? Maybe while he was hiking, and didnt' realize it?
On Nov 5, 12:01 pm, "Smokie Darling (Annie)" <Barnabus1...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> How interesting... the article claims that Whitney is only 14,494, > but it's actually over 20,000 feet. I was about to write and say that > we had peaks here that were over 16,000 (9 I think), within Colorado. > Wonder how they got the summit height wrong?
Both Wiki (not a goode ref in a dispute) and this site put it at 14,500 or so:
> > > > > > Authorities are expanding their effort to find a 73-year-old > > > > > > Washington state man who has not returned from a solo day hike Sunday > > > > > > up Mount Whitney.
> > > > > > Kenneth ³Wade² Brunette, of Hansville, Wash. was last seen by a group > > > > > > of hikers about 3:45 p.m. Sunday a mile and a half shy of the 14,494- > > > > > > foot summit on the east side of Sequoia National Park, according to > > > > > > the National Park Service.
> > > > > > Brunette had set off from on the trail from Whitney Portal to the > > > > > > peak > > > > > > at dawn that morning, but may not have reached the summit because he > > > > > > appeared not to have signed the peak¹s logbook, according to Adrienne > > > > > > Freeman, a spokeswoman for the national park.
> > > > > > Brunette¹s family reported him overdue Monday afternoon and the > > > > > > search > > > > > > for him began Tuesday. Officials described Brunette as an experienced > > > > > > and fit hiker. He was last seen wearing a royal blue jacket and tan > > > > > > pants, they said.
> > > > > > About 50 rescue personnel, including dog teams and a pair of > > > > > > helicopter crews were involved in the search, which began Tuesday and > > > > > > has been expanded to the east and west side of Sierra crest.
> > > > > > Those who were in the backcountry this week around the Mount Whitney > > > > > > summit or areas of Sequoia National Park around Crabtree Meadow or > > > > > > Mount Russell are asked to contact investigators if they saw someone > > > > > > matching Brunette¹s description. > > > > > > ======================== > > > > > > Shame. Wonder if he had a heart attack? (Still could be foul play, so > > > > > > no > > > > > > OT.) jc
> > > > > Could be he died of exposure too. If it gets nearly as cold there, at > > > > > night, as it does here... They didn't say how he was dressed, if he > > > > > had any cold weather gear, the jacket and pants description doesn't > > > > > sound nearly warm enough. That's so sad though.
> > > > > It IS sad. The first article said he was fit and an experienced hiker, > > > > > so > > > > > he'd be prepared one would think. Usually falls are involved if death > > > > > happened relatively soon near the disappearance, but since that wasn't > > > > > reported, that's why I was thinking natural causes. Hope we find out.
> > > > You know, I was talking to my hubby about this, and he mentioned > > > > something to me... There is the possibility that the guy went out > > > > hiking, decided that he had had a very nice life and that was a nice > > > > place to rest a while. It just doesn't seem to fit that an > > > > experienced hiker would go to the peak without proper gear, just in > > > > case (and it doesn't have to weigh a ton). Heck, the fourteeners here > > > > can get pretty cold here in the summer, don't imagine those are much > > > > different.
> > > > Poor guy (and his family).
> > > I know someone who hiked Mt. Whitney (highest point in continental > > > USA) and he said it could be done as a day hike or a two or three day > > > hike. Round trip is 22 miles. He was young at the time and went with > > > a group of friends during summer. They really didn't know much > > > about it and ended up doing it as a day hike. He was in good > > > shape at the time but said next time he would probably do it > > > over two days. I wonder why Brunette chose to do it over one day.
> > How interesting... the article claims that Whitney is only 14,494, > > but it's actually over 20,000 feet.
> Denali is over 20k, Mt. Whitney is 14,494ft (4417 metres)
This is what I based my (incorrect) statement on:
Highest Mountain in North America McKinley (Denali), Alaska: 20,320 feet / 6194 meters
I saw McKinley, and thought it was that one. Don't ask, my brain saw McKinley, my eyes saw Whitney <sigh>.
As to the rest, I have had friends talk about climbing 16ers here (I know there are many 14ers here), and presumed they were correct without actually searching it. Again, my mistake.
> > > > > > > Authorities are expanding their effort to find a 73-year-old > > > > > > > Washington state man who has not returned from a solo day hike Sunday > > > > > > > up Mount Whitney.
> > > > > > > Kenneth ³Wade² Brunette, of Hansville, Wash. was last seen by a group > > > > > > > of hikers about 3:45 p.m. Sunday a mile and a half shy of the 14,494- > > > > > > > foot summit on the east side of Sequoia National Park, according to > > > > > > > the National Park Service.
> > > > > > > Brunette had set off from on the trail from Whitney Portal to the > > > > > > > peak > > > > > > > at dawn that morning, but may not have reached the summit because he > > > > > > > appeared not to have signed the peak¹s logbook, according to Adrienne > > > > > > > Freeman, a spokeswoman for the national park.
> > > > > > > Brunette¹s family reported him overdue Monday afternoon and the > > > > > > > search > > > > > > > for him began Tuesday. Officials described Brunette as an experienced > > > > > > > and fit hiker. He was last seen wearing a royal blue jacket and tan > > > > > > > pants, they said.
> > > > > > > About 50 rescue personnel, including dog teams and a pair of > > > > > > > helicopter crews were involved in the search, which began Tuesday and > > > > > > > has been expanded to the east and west side of Sierra crest.
> > > > > > > Those who were in the backcountry this week around the Mount Whitney > > > > > > > summit or areas of Sequoia National Park around Crabtree Meadow or > > > > > > > Mount Russell are asked to contact investigators if they saw someone > > > > > > > matching Brunette¹s description. > > > > > > > ======================== > > > > > > > Shame. Wonder if he had a heart attack? (Still could be foul play, so > > > > > > > no > > > > > > > OT.) jc
> > > > > > Could be he died of exposure too. If it gets nearly as cold there, at > > > > > > night, as it does here... They didn't say how he was dressed, if he > > > > > > had any cold weather gear, the jacket and pants description doesn't > > > > > > sound nearly warm enough. That's so sad though.
> > > > > > It IS sad. The first article said he was fit and an experienced hiker, > > > > > > so > > > > > > he'd be prepared one would think. Usually falls are involved if death > > > > > > happened relatively soon near the disappearance, but since that wasn't > > > > > > reported, that's why I was thinking natural causes. Hope we find out.
> > > > > You know, I was talking to my hubby about this, and he mentioned > > > > > something to me... There is the possibility that the guy went out > > > > > hiking, decided that he had had a very nice life and that was a nice > > > > > place to rest a while. It just doesn't seem to fit that an > > > > > experienced hiker would go to the peak without proper gear, just in > > > > > case (and it doesn't have to weigh a ton). Heck, the fourteeners here > > > > > can get pretty cold here in the summer, don't imagine those are much > > > > > different.
> > > > > Poor guy (and his family).
> > > > I know someone who hiked Mt. Whitney (highest point in continental > > > > USA) and he said it could be done as a day hike or a two or three day > > > > hike. Round trip is 22 miles. He was young at the time and went with > > > > a group of friends during summer. They really didn't know much > > > > about it and ended up doing it as a day hike. He was in good > > > > shape at the time but said next time he would probably do it > > > > over two days. I wonder why Brunette chose to do it over one day.
> > > How interesting... the article claims that Whitney is only 14,494, > > > but it's actually over 20,000 feet.
> > Denali is over 20k, Mt. Whitney is 14,494ft (4417 metres)
> This is what I based my (incorrect) statement on:
> Highest Mountain in North America > McKinley (Denali), Alaska: 20,320 feet / 6194 meters
> I saw McKinley, and thought it was that one. Don't ask, my brain saw > McKinley, my eyes saw Whitney <sigh>.
> As to the rest, I have had friends talk about climbing 16ers here (I > know there are many 14ers here), and presumed they were correct > without actually searching it. Again, my mistake.
Forgot... highest point in Colorado is 14,440 (Mt. Elbert).
<note to self>
Never trust memory, never trust stories, always check statements first...
>> > > > Authorities are expanding their effort to find a 73-year-old >> > > > Washington state man who has not returned from a solo day hike Sunday >> > > > up Mount Whitney.
>> > > > Kenneth “Wade” Brunette, of Hansville, Wash. was last seen by a group >> > > > of hikers about 3:45 p.m. Sunday a mile and a half shy of the 14,494- >> > > > foot summit on the east side of Sequoia National Park, according to >> > > > the National Park Service.
>> > > > Brunette had set off from on the trail from Whitney Portal to the peak >> > > > at dawn that morning, but may not have reached the summit because he >> > > > appeared not to have signed the peak’s logbook, according to Adrienne >> > > > Freeman, a spokeswoman for the national park.
>> > > > Brunette’s family reported him overdue Monday afternoon and the search >> > > > for him began Tuesday. Officials described Brunette as an experienced >> > > > and fit hiker. He was last seen wearing a royal blue jacket and tan >> > > > pants, they said.
>> > > > About 50 rescue personnel, including dog teams and a pair of >> > > > helicopter crews were involved in the search, which began Tuesday and >> > > > has been expanded to the east and west side of Sierra crest.
>> > > > Those who were in the backcountry this week around the Mount Whitney >> > > > summit or areas of Sequoia National Park around Crabtree Meadow or >> > > > Mount Russell are asked to contact investigators if they saw someone >> > > > matching Brunette’s description. >> > > > ======================== >> > > > Shame. Wonder if he had a heart attack? (Still could be foul play, so no >> > > > OT.) jc
>> > > Could be he died of exposure too. If it gets nearly as cold there, at >> > > night, as it does here... They didn't say how he was dressed, if he >> > > had any cold weather gear, the jacket and pants description doesn't >> > > sound nearly warm enough. That's so sad though.
>> > > It IS sad. The first article said he was fit and an experienced hiker, so >> > > he'd be prepared one would think. Usually falls are involved if death >> > > happened relatively soon near the disappearance, but since that wasn't >> > > reported, that's why I was thinking natural causes. Hope we find out.
>> > You know, I was talking to my hubby about this, and he mentioned >> > something to me... There is the possibility that the guy went out >> > hiking, decided that he had had a very nice life and that was a nice >> > place to rest a while. It just doesn't seem to fit that an >> > experienced hiker would go to the peak without proper gear, just in >> > case (and it doesn't have to weigh a ton). Heck, the fourteeners here >> > can get pretty cold here in the summer, don't imagine those are much >> > different.
>> > Poor guy (and his family).
>> I know someone who hiked Mt. Whitney (highest point in continental >> USA) and he said it could be done as a day hike or a two or three day >> hike. Round trip is 22 miles. He was young at the time and went with >> a group of friends during summer. They really didn't know much >> about it and ended up doing it as a day hike. He was in good >> shape at the time but said next time he would probably do it >> over two days. I wonder why Brunette chose to do it over one day.
>How interesting... the article claims that Whitney is only 14,494, >but it's actually over 20,000 feet. I was about to write and say that >we had peaks here that were over 16,000 (9 I think), within Colorado. >Wonder how they got the summit height wrong?
>> From accounts on another forum, sounds like he was disoriented earlier >> in the day. See page 3. Thought he was going up a trail when he was >> going down it.
>That is so sad. I wonder if he had a mild stroke? Maybe while he was >hiking, and didnt' realize it?
On Nov 5, 2:18 pm, "Smokie Darling (Annie)" <Barnabus1...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> As to the rest, I have had friends talk about climbing 16ers here (I > know there are many 14ers here), and presumed they were correct > without actually searching it. Again, my mistake.-
I'm 5'11". I run into plenty of "6 footers" that are shorter than me.
A woman who was 2 years older than me when we dated 20 years ago is now 3 years younger than me. (Time is relative, they say)
I have no doubt at all that some of these folks will tell you about the 16,000 foot mountains they've climbed in CO. ;)
> On Nov 5, 2:18 pm, "Smokie Darling (Annie)" <Barnabus1...@yahoo.com> > wrote:
> > As to the rest, I have had friends talk about climbing 16ers here (I > > know there are many 14ers here), and presumed they were correct > > without actually searching it. Again, my mistake.-
> I'm 5'11". I run into plenty of "6 footers" that are shorter than me.
Ha! I met Gary Sinise once, he claims to be 5'10". I'm 5'10", and I could see over the top of his head, without tilting my head up (and he was wearing work boots, with thick soles). Imagine trying to tell his fans that.
> A woman who was 2 years older than me when we dated 20 years ago is > now 3 years younger than me. (Time is relative, they say)
You know, I've never understood lying about one's age. If you think you will, when you get older, isn't it better to just never tell anyone your age? I mean, are you not supposed to remember how old she was? That's kind of rude, thinking that you'd be the type who doesn't remember birthdays/years.
> I have no doubt at all that some of these folks will tell you about > the 16,000 foot mountains they've climbed in CO. ;)
> Mick
Yeah, I have no doubt. That's why I should always check some facts before passing them along. I can believe my friends (heck at that altitude, I'm sure it feels like 16,000 feet), without then sharing bad data, right?
SD (Annie) - yeah, I'm an idiot, but I'm a *fun* idiot
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