Well after going out and doing some scouting and riding the ridges around the area the jeep was found. Immediately I started asking myself WHY. Two things got my attention right away, one was the lack of trails for any type of riding and the massive amount of animal trails crossing all thru that area.
As I mentioned in post #431 about going west on that road he was last seen, which I'm really interested to know how they where able to see him going that direction... Ok so he went west on that road that kinda lead into a southwestern direction into what looks like an old quarry after passing that electrical facility, its a remote place that not many venture into. The majority of vehicles would not have much trouble driving around those areas however where the jeep was found is an area that would be risky for the majority, you would have to drive up a decently steep hill where it meets the wilder desert area...after climbing up that steep hill you would have to make immediate turns which i have to say there isn't much of a choice for bigger vehicles like his jeep. Sure after going up that steep climb there is a couple of short driveable trails that do not go that far, however where the jeep was found its in an area that you would be basically making your own trail. I was in a dirt bike type motorcycle, drove all over that area on the top of those ravines and it was challenging enough to make me wonder WHY.
Why would he risk messing up his nice looking jeep? At a minimum you would scratch up your paint job and if you're not equip with decent tires you can easily get stuck or get a flat tire.
The area the jeep was found is not a place where you would venture out on your own without knowing that area well AT ALL.
Putting myself in that situation...
Lets say he did go up into that area and simply rolled his jeep, no signs of blood or other bodily fluids(it did rain a lot before the jeep was found) that show he was critically injured could of bumped his head maybe even knocked unconscious, inevitable waking up getting out the vehicle...maybe he couldn't find his phone and decided to abandon the jeep and look for help.
This is what i ask myself..
Why or How could a young geologist not recognize his surroundings, climb up the ravine to figure out where the dirt road or that electrical facility was located knowing that is the for sure way of getting out? I was able to see parts of the circle(old quarry)dirt road and that facility most of the time being up there, its about half a mile or less to that dirt road. You might say his head injury could of hindered him from thinking straight, yes good possibility but I personally from experience highly doubt it judging by the height of the fall into the ravine and the amount of damage done by the roll. Does not look like it was a violent roll over. Again it could be possible.
OK so he bumped his head does not know what he is doing gets out and starts walking...you are either going to climb back up that ravine or you will follow that ravine further down that leads to Wagner wash and or into the Hassayampa river both pretty dry ATM but could of been flooded from the amounts of rain that we got during that time. What concerns me if he did go further down that ravine is the high volume of animal trails, I seen coyote, snake, and some type of goat prints around the area but these trails are not from any of these animals. These animal trails are pretty bold looking and frequently traveled, In my back yard my dogs have similar paths that they travel back and forth on.
I still have lots to read into what we know so far but to me the location of the roll over is highly suspicious. From going thru the fence on Sun Valley Pkwy I road and walked around 14miles in 5hours.
I took pictures of the hill climb into the location where the jeep was found, animal trails and a look out further down the ravine that leads to the hassayampa river. I also have video of the area.
couldnt upload the pictures on this forum. please let me know if i missed anything
