ACTIVE SEARCH JAPAN - Patricia "Pattie" Wu-Murad, 60, US Citizen, on hiking trip Kumano Kodo Trail, didn't arr next stop Osaka, 10 Apr 2023

[Curiousobserver]

How do we know that stream where the backpack was found runs south?

It seems to go in that direction from the Google Street Views of the current in the area where her backpack was found.

So she was upstream from there (likely) when her backpack entered the water, which may have been on-land most of the time but then washed into the stream during the typhoon or she fell in, or it was tossed in by a third party. It is very easy to get lost hiking but I also wonder how she wouldn't have realized before she got that far upstream from that village. She would be passing landmarks that were not on her plan and a quick look at the map and she would have known.

 

[jennytrevor]

Because I'm not good with directions, excuse me if this makes no sense...

Is it possible she took the wrong trail, thinking it was the correct one, got off that wrong trail, and tried to navigate back to safety/the trail based on improper knowledge of her beginning location, then ending up in the vicinity of the backpack?

 

[Curiousobserver]

Because I'm not good with directions, excuse me if this makes no sense...

Is it possible she took the wrong trail, thinking it was the correct one, got off that wrong trail, and tried to navigate back to safety/the trail based on improper knowledge of her beginning location, then ending up in the vicinity of the backpack?

We will likely never know. When you're lost you can do irrational things. There is certainly a scenario where she walks a long way, realizes she is lost and will not be able to backtrack because she won't have a place to stay- so she tries a shortcut to get herself back on track.

 

[slowpoke]

Another Japanese language article.

奈良県十津川村で行方不明アメリカ人女性の所持品を発見　県警が情報提供求める｜奈良新聞デジタル

奈良県警五條署は25日、昨年4月に十津川村の「熊野古道」で行方不明になったアメリカ人女性、ウームラッド・パトリシア・ピーツェンさん(62)の所持品とみられるリュックサックが見つかったと発表した。

www.nara-np.co.jp

Using Google Translate, it said the backpack was in the stream, which was about 4 km (about 2.5 miles) away north of the village. The fisherman collected it and looked in it, and took a photo. After going home and checking, he reported it to the police. The police retrieved the backpack the next day.

Here’s a picture of the backpack from the news article.

 

[starlightstarbright]

I still think it’s quite odd that it was missing most of its contents. Even with a rip in the side, which I believe was reported, having walked a pilgrimage myself, there would be things stored in all sorts of pockets in that bag. It’s unlikely that it all would have tumbled out of every zip pocket unless the rip was very large. I suppose it’s always possible that the bag was found on land though, someone dug through it looking for valuables, may even have found her name inside, panicked and tossed it in the river.

 

[slowpoke]

I notice the backpack in my last post looks rather clean, and is on a sheet of plastic. The caption to the photo translated to, “A backpack that seems to belong to Patricia (provided by the prefectural police)”.

There’s two photos on the HelpFindPattie FB page of the backpack where it looks dirtier and on gravelly ground. I wonder if those two were taken by the fisherman? Just speculating. MOO


As to the question of why it would have been virtually devoid of contents, could it have been emptied by Pattie herself? Maybe she was injured and immobile or stuck somewhere but was able to open and make use of what was in the backpack (food, extra clothes, first aid supplies, etc) for a time?
MOO

 

[Curiousobserver]

That one chest strap clip (Upper left of the image in the post above) looks badly mangled, compare it to all the other clips in the picture. If she took this off in the normal way then it should be pretty much like all the others (assuming it was undamaged at the start of the trip).

 

[Oiseaux]

That one chest strap clip (Upper left of the image in the post above) looks badly mangled, compare it to all the other clips in the picture. If she took this off in the normal way then it should be pretty much like all the others (assuming it was undamaged at the start of the trip).

I wonder if that clip could also have gotten stuck between some rocks in its time in the river, being pulled by the current. That could cause some damage, depending on the speed of flow and how the clip got caught.

 

[acutename]

I am a believer as I have experienced it.

I don't think the causes reflect a deep mental condition. Rather, it stems from the sudden transition from "having fun" to "lost- and alone".

On the time in question, I "memorized" my map- yeah right, before giving it to another hiker who wanted to turn back. Then.... there was the deliberately twisted trail sign pointing in the wrong direction.

The end result, is that I "tunnel visioned" as dusk started to fall. I literally could not see the over all terrain and could not act on the fact that the trail head was at a lower elevation. I could only see what was in front of me. I wasted time going in repeated circles on a mesa.

Before light faded completely, I made a dash down the mesa, out of the park and to a rural paved road. Fortunately, a friendly rancher gave me a ride to the one stop sign town- civilization at last!

most people who hike know that what the actual trail looks like and what you see on a map can diverge- an unexpected tire or RV track (is that a trail?), a missing marker, a tree down, and if you have not been on the trail before, you second guess yourself, and if it is getting dark or getting rainy, it causes stress IMO... yes check a compass or app or the sun...if there is any sun at the time.

 

[acutename]

I thought the keeper of the place she stayed the previous night either walked her to the trailhead that morning or pointed it out to Pattie because it could be a little tricky to find.... Iirc.

Does anyone else remember discussion about that?

yes and she left relatively early- before the other hiker at the B&B and he never came across her when he left later...

 

[acutename]

Backpack found that belongs to Pattie.

Update from Murphy:

On September 15, a person who was fishing in Totsukawa village found a backpack in a stream.

He found Pattie's email (which is more or less her name) and her family's home address written on a ziplock bag inside the backpack, and he reported it to the Gojo Police Station.

The next day, on September 16, with the guidance of the fisherman, police retrieved the backpack and stored it. The backpack was mostly empty, with the exception of the ziplock bag and gravel.

After a further search of the area around the original site, police also located a single shoe downstream from where the backpack was found.

The items were located in a stream northeast of the Mandokoro guesthouse, where she was last seen.

This information was passed along to Kirk and Murphy on September 17, and Murphy was able to confirm the items belonged to Pattie based on a photo her mother shared with her earlier in her trip to Japan (see photos).

Over the next few days, additional items were found, most of which the family could confirm belonged to Pattie. There have been no new updates since September 20. However, the police have recently released information to local media outlets. The family has been in contact with local volunteers who still live in Totsukawa village as well as members of the US SAR volunteer group.

Map with red outlines is areas police searched. The one without is last place she was seen and where the backpack was found.

Note: The original SAR trial is more extensive and covers more area than the police maps.

#helpfindpattie #notgivingup

that her name, address, email etc was found intact in a zip lock and otherwise the pack was empty does seem weird.... unless PM lost footing with her pack open and the ziplock with her info was in a separate dedicated closed pocket. IMO.

 

[Cedars]

I still think it’s quite odd that it was missing most of its contents. Even with a rip in the side, which I believe was reported, having walked a pilgrimage myself, there would be things stored in all sorts of pockets in that bag. It’s unlikely that it all would have tumbled out of every zip pocket unless the rip was very large. I suppose it’s always possible that the bag was found on land though, someone dug through it looking for valuables, may even have found her name inside, panicked and tossed it in the river.

Some people buy packs with lots of zip pockets, I don't because I forget what is in/or supposed to be in, all those zips and pockets and it's a huge waste of time looking in them all...plus I sometimes forget there is a 'hidden pocket', leading to believing I've lost something important! I purposely found and bought a camino pack with just one shallow top zip pocket for raingear, everything else I keep in one compartment, in clear plastic bags packed in order of likely need, ie lunch on top, etc. I carry all valuables on my person, none my packs, and use a fanny pack around my waist for my phone, snacks, etc.

I notice they haven't said the pack straps were fastened. I think that means she was unlikely to be wearing it when it entered the water, those buckles are very secure.

JMO

 

[Cedars]

I wonder if that clip could also have gotten stuck between some rocks in its time in the river, being pulled by the current. That could cause some damage, depending on the speed of flow and how the clip got caught.

I agree. Just like airlines don't want to deal with any loose straps or buckles that could get caught up in machinery, a pack with loose straps will likely get caught up in rocks or branches, meanwhile the constant 24/7 pressure of flowing water will wear down the weakest part of the pack, which can't be predicted, it depends on exactly how it's oriented, what's in the pack, etc. But the power of water is very different than how gravity works.

JMO

 

[Charlot123]

that her name, address, email etc was found intact in a zip lock and otherwise the pack was empty does seem weird.... unless PM lost footing with her pack open and the ziplock with her info was in a separate dedicated closed pocket. IMO.

Losing footing is quite a possible scenario, probably the first on my list since it seems that this very trail was less well-maintained than the other one. But - anywhere, regardless of age, fitness or miles traveled, people can lose a footing. 20+ years ago, in Arcadia National Park in Maine, losing my footing landed me in an ER. Luckily, no fractures and I just needed a tetanus shot, but I was not alone on that trail. Arcadia is extremely well-maintained, but things happen. I still hope Pat did not meet a trail hunter but something natural happened. However, I would like to read in details where the owner of the guest house said goodbye to her. He should be able to show it. I suspect that being older and Pat departing earlier than everyone else, he might have slept. JMO.
Obviously, the trail needs to have more signs - if a seasoned traveler got mistaken, this means, there are not enough signs at Kumano Kodo trail. Sorry.

 

[slowpoke]

Losing footing is quite a possible scenario, probably the first on my list since it seems that this very trail was less well-maintained than the other one. But - anywhere, regardless of age, fitness or miles traveled, people can lose a footing. 20+ years ago, in Arcadia National Park in Maine, losing my footing landed me in an ER. Luckily, no fractures and I just needed a tetanus shot, but I was not alone on that trail. Arcadia is extremely well-maintained, but things happen. I still hope Pat did not meet a trail hunter but something natural happened. However, I would like to read in details where the owner of the guest house said goodbye to her. He should be able to show it. I suspect that being older and Pat departing earlier than everyone else, he might have slept. JMO.
Obviously, the trail needs to have more signs - if a seasoned traveler got mistaken, this means, there are not enough signs at Kumano Kodo trail. Sorry.

Here’s a couple of articles I could find regarding Pattie being pointed in the right direction to the trail.

“The hostel owner walked outside with her and pointed her to the trailhead, which was about a quarter-mile from the hostel where she had stayed the night before, and that was the last time anyone reported seeing her.”
Hartford Courant article via Yahoo

At this point, authorities only know that she was pointed in the right direction when she headed for the trail, Kirk Murad said. "We know that she didn't go the wrong way out of town," he said.
CT Insider

 

[annpats]

The backpack in the photos the fisherman took, looks so clean, even having been in the water for potentially 18 months.

I know these trails have very clean mountain streams, but you think there would be more staining and discoloration from silt, algae, moss and any bacteria etc. in the water over that length of time.

Also those backpacks are made of tough ripstop fabric, so it must've been quite a bit of force applied to cause the rip on the side, and by something quite sharp too!

 

[annpats]

The backpack is a Gorilla Ultralight 50 made by Gossamer Gear.

Retails for about £300...thate about $320 US dollars.

Gorilla 50 Ultralight Rucksack

Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Ultralight Rucksack available at Ultralight Outdoor Gear with FREE UK+EU Delivery, in-depth reviews, full tech specs & helpful advice.

ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk

 

[Charlot123]

Here’s a couple of articles I could find regarding Pattie being pointed in the right direction to the trail.

“The hostel owner walked outside with her and pointed her to the trailhead, which was about a quarter-mile from the hostel where she had stayed the night before, and that was the last time anyone reported seeing her.”
Hartford Courant article via Yahoo

At this point, authorities only know that she was pointed in the right direction when she headed for the trail, Kirk Murad said. "We know that she didn't go the wrong way out of town," he said.
CT Insider

So, it is over 400 m. If the way to the beginning of the trail is straight, she can see it. If it curves, then, no. Also, we don’t know the dew point that day - are early mornings in April around the trail foggy? Sadly, I can’t find Kumano Kodo trail in weather.com, I looked up Osaka. Do you know what town should I check that would reflect the conditions? Dew points are important, and trails are usually more foggy.

 

[Charlot123]

I don’t know if it is ok to post but hopefully yes. It is a video of a hike by the trail. Part I. There is also Part II, Posting so that people can see it. Two things are obvious:
It is very close to people
I can’t call it safe - at all

Obvious questions:
Three guys carrying a lot of equipment and it doesn’t seem easy to them
They mention that one has to carry a lot of cash as the buses are cash only. Did Pat carry a lot of cash with her?
What agency did she use to book the trip?
Some mentioning in passing of a “sister trip” in Spain. Had Pat been to it?

MOO, behind all these shrines, monks, stones and exotics the trail is a flourishing tourist business. From my experience, in such places all bus drivers know each other, all guest house owners do, too. So a pleasant, charismatic US tourist traveling alone was noticed. Usually no one is interested in tourists disappearing, but I would like to know about the families of the bus drivers, for example.

Also: these cards that the tourists signed. Did Pat do it, too?

 

[vls12345]

I don’t know if it is ok to post but hopefully yes. It is a video of a hike by the trail. Part I. There is also Part II, Posting so that people can see it. Two things are obvious:
It is very close to people
I can’t call it safe - at all

Obvious questions:
Three guys carrying a lot of equipment and it doesn’t seem easy to them
They mention that one has to carry a lot of cash as the buses are cash only. Did Pat carry a lot of cash with her?
What agency did she use to book the trip?
Some mentioning in passing of a “sister trip” in Spain. Had Pat been to it?

MOO, behind all these shrines, monks, stones and exotics the trail is a flourishing tourist business. From my experience, in such places all bus drivers know each other, all guest house owners do, too. So a pleasant, charismatic US tourist traveling alone was noticed. Usually no one is interested in tourists disappearing, but I would like to know about the families of the bus drivers, for example.

Also: these cards that the tourists signed. Did Pat do it, too?

Thank you for posting this wonderful video. It's great to see part of the trail. And how hard it appears to be. They had some great notes & commentary as they hiked.

It did seem very lonely on the trail. But, with Pattie's yellow backpack, I think that might have helped someone to notice her (at least if they came upon her soon after an injury or fall)? Maybe? I do wonder if she was on a different trail altogether now that her backpack has been located. But why? And how?