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?
You are welcome!
I noticed that it is not far from civilization at all but with these high trees and lack of light, it might be easy to get lost. Also, when they were climbing up, one asked, what if it rains?
And indeed, what if? April seems to be in-tourist season for the trail, meaning, shouldn't have, but who knows? It may get slippery. Also, if Pattie was traveling in-season, everything was more expensive, meaning, she needed to carry more cash than off-season.
Then lack of items in her backpack makes one wonder. Only her family knows where she'd carry cash, but I just wanted to ask. One doesn’t need to assault, merely grab the backpack and run. And then the woman who is already lost, maybe pushed/traumatized during the episode doesn't have a chance.
This case is gaining track now that her family members are/is in Japan. I wonder if someone just dumped the stuff kept at home, just somewhere, and we don't know if Patty took that very trail.
I mean, there is one obvious thing that needs to be done, one question i don't want to ask publicly if Patty met foul play. But I hope her family has done it. And that will hint at certain possibilities. Good luck to them.
