The Upper Yosemite Falls trail is extremely common. Especially for those that park in Camp 4. Thats the starting point for the trail. There are quite a few switchbacks and people will often begin hiking late in the day without ample water or food. They think it will be a quick hike, but it is very strenuous. Its easy to slip off the side of one of the switchbacks.
Who was the last person Max spoke with?
Did he bring the appropriate supplies to hike?
What things were left in the car?
Its seems since he was out of town, he likely didnt bring a ton of camping or hiking supplies. Id be looking as far as North Dome. Also, if he crossed the falls at the top, possibly look below the top fall on the rocks below. People do crazy things. I have a feeling he slipped and fell. Just a matter of finding him. Does he have a cell phone that can be pinged? Im wondering if thats why Rangers believe he was on this trail.
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My two teenage children and I hiked to the top of the falls over spring break last year. At one point, I stopped to take a selfie with the village -which was about 3,000 ft. below where I was at that point- in the background, and I came VERY close to slipping off the side of a switchback. My eyes were glued to the screen of my phone, and I had my back to the edge of the trail; my backpack was quite heavy as I was carrying water for all three of us in it, and I could feel it pulling me downwards. I started to panic, and I really dont remember how, but I was able to get a foothold and get back on the path.
It was April, and there were plenty of people around, so someone probably would have seen me fall (but then come to think of it, no one was around at that particular moment; the kids had left me behind while I took some photos), but even then, there are so many rocks and trees along the way that I truly believe I/my body could have remained hidden/missing forever.
For those who are not familiar, here is one of the pictures I took that day (obviously, not a selfie
):
This is purely my personal opinion, but Max appears to have been struggling with mental illness for some time, and I am so scared for him. Ive struggled with depression and PTSD since my teens (Im in my 40s now), I made sure my mind was in a good place before we left for Yosemite. The park can be a particularly dangerous place for someone whose brain is not functioning correctly, IMO, as it offers so many ways to end ones life.
Speaking of people being unprepared, I saw someone wearing TOMs shoes, so yeah ...
.
As far as cell service, we have AT&T, and I remember my son complaining about not being able to share photos with his friends via SnapChat as we reached the top, so at least at the very top (and as of last April), there was none.
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