Found Deceased Spain - Esther Dingley, from UK, missing in the Pyrenees, November 2020

[CoverMeCagney]

EDITED: just to clarify there are two different photos doing the rounds, but this is the one she sent Dan:

He said:

She has was last seen six days ago when she sent me this photo. Search and rescue teams have so far found no trace of her.

Esther & Dan

 

[FrostOwl]

Yes, after digging a bit deeper, it appears my guess was wrong. Under the restrictions at that time, she should not have been on an overnight hike. MOO

Esther was not away on an overnight hike, she ha been in Spain, and on that side of the Pyrenees, since October 25, as she posted on her Facebook page on November 7 that she had left France before the lockdown.
Esther & Dan
She had planned to get back to France, and her partner, on November 25, and the climb when she disappeared was the last leg on her one month solo hikes in Spain, and Spain is not on lockdown.
Lots of lovely photos from her hikes on Facebook.

 

[RickshawFan]

Esther was not away on an overnight hike, she ha been in Spain, and on that side of the Pyrenees, since October 25, as she posted on her Facebook page on November 7 that she had left France before the lockdown.
Esther & Dan
She had planned to get back to France, and her partner, on November 25, and the climb when she disappeared was the last leg on her one month solo hikes in Spain, and Spain is not on lockdown.
Lots of lovely photos from her hikes on Facebook.

She was planning to stay overnight in a "refuge" (aka a mountain hut) in the French section. It even has the French version of the Spanish name where the van was parked. The gendarmerie are quite specific that a lockdown was in effect at the time ED went missing—and it would apply— and have had to defend the search because they got so many complaints about ED breaking lockdown. Presumably, they had looked at her SM.

 

[FrostOwl]

Pic de Sauvegarde is a Spanish mountain, on the border between France and Spain, and we don't know on which side of the border she was when she went missing. It was only the last night she had planned to stay in France, before returning to her home. If she had gone to Spain before the French lockdown, and stayed in Spain for a month, until the last day, I can't see how she could be seen as breaking the French lockdown rules.

 

[Vaccine]

Sorry, unintended bolding.
Esther Dingley: Partner says police 'looking at non-accident options'
''Police searching for a British hiker missing in the Pyrenees are "looking at other options" beyond an accident, her partner has said.''

Mr Colegate said after extensive searches the "prevailing opinion" is she is not in the mountains.

In a post on Facebook, he praised the French and Spanish search and rescue teams' efforts, but said: "Taking into account Esther's high level of experience, the nature of the terrain, the good weather she would have had, the fact she had a clearly defined route for Sunday evening and Monday, and various other factors, both search coordinators have essentially told me that the prevailing opinion in the search teams is that she isn't there.

"If she had fallen from one of the paths, they really would have expected to find her given the intensity, the closeness of the search and the fact most of the trails are really quite straightforward across open ground."

''Mr Colegate said Ms Dingley is now listed as a national missing person in Spain and her case has been passed to a "specialised judicial unit in France".

"This means they will be looking at other options beyond a mountain accident," he said.''

I'm surprised by this. I has assumed a fall was the most likely scenario. But its hard to assess the gradients and severity of the environment from maps and photos. It is different and very much more worrying that it might be foul play or an abduction. Though I suppose that could mean she would still be alive.

 

[TimesEight]

Ok, this really sounds like it might be something totally different than an accident.

Well, her partner is currently staying in France and I assume that was her base too, so I imagine the rules were known.

Nov 13th post is interesting
Esther Dingley

 

[Lucy6226]

Incidentally, the day she was last in contact with her partner was the same day the BBC ran a story about their camper van adventures...

BBC News - Van life: Durham couple's six years on the road (and counting) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-54842438

If foul play is suspected then my guess is either her last contact with her partner wasn't on the 22nd or her partner might not have been staying in the farmhouse, something doesn't add up (all this is moo obviously) I really hope this is not the case and she is found safe

 

[Satchie]

I'm surprised by this. I has assumed a fall was the most likely scenario. But its hard to assess the gradients and severity of the environment from maps and photos. It is different and very much more worrying that it might be foul play or an abduction. Though I suppose that could mean she would still be alive.

IMO it's a good idea to keep open to all possibilities, but also, a desperate loved one of a missing person is often grasping at straws. I really don't believe the hike down that mountain was mostly flat and perfectly safe.

"Pic de Sauvegarde...is only recommended for very experienced adventurers...and is best used from May until October." Pic de Sauvegarde from Le Venasque

Then there's always the possibility she went off the trail to get more photos...

ETA, plus she appears to have been wearing black and could be quite invisible from a distance.

 

[RickshawFan]

Pic de Sauvegarde is a Spanish mountain, on the border between France and Spain, and we don't know on which side of the border she was when she went missing. It was only the last night she had planned to stay in France, before returning to her home. If she had gone to Spain before the French lockdown, and stayed in Spain for a month, until the last day, I can't see how she could be seen as breaking the French lockdown rules.

Can you explain your point fron the Google map upthread that has ED in France for most of the trip? And the mountain refuge has a French name?

Google Maps

 

[RickshawFan]

I'm surprised by this. I has assumed a fall was the most likely scenario. But its hard to assess the gradients and severity of the environment from maps and photos. It is different and very much more worrying that it might be foul play or an abduction. Though I suppose that could mean she would still be alive.

The gendarmerie is very clear she's not there. Their SAR unit is no doubt very skilled.

 

[hitthenick]

This photograph she took and that was posted.

I have precisely geolocated it to the spot it was taken at on 21/11. On the link, click it and you will have the direct view behind her, the photo was taken in front of the solar panel and the radio mast, this is visible through her sunglasses on the photo.

The link: Google Maps

Interestingly, all around the area are water features and small lakes.

My theory is, she will have been carrying some weight in her backpack, the terrain is very rocky and shaley too.

My suspicion is she has fell into water somewhere and is weighed down underneath the surface - basing this on the fact she has not been sighted at all anywhere or by anyone after the photo's were taken and sent to her man.

Quite amazed really that she:
A- Actually went and did this on her own, at this time of year in sub zero temperatures on an evening, without any back up or emergency back up.
B- Walking in dark clothes when a hi-viz outfit or something distinct would have been much more sensible.
C- All of my hiking pals and these are super experienced people way above this girls experience, would definitely have not gone out up there solo without being properly equipped for any eventuality. Better still they'd at least have one other hiker with them.
D- She should have been using a GPS tracker linked to another person IE her partner so he can see her location anytime 24/7.
E- She shouldn't have even been out anyway because of lockdown - the French are kicking up a huge stink over this.
F- I smell a rat in their relationship, something isn't adding up, her frame of mind reading some of the posts she has put all over the place sometimes doesn't seem to make sense.

I'd like to know where her campervan was parked up prior to the walk, that was found but it would help to work out her route from the van, to the peak and back -then somewhere within that area is where she'll be found.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

She's been based in Spain, with the van, for the whole of November while Dan has remained in France. I can't find anything to suggest they've seen each other in that time.

Of course, while zigzagging along a mountain range which doubles as the France/Spain border, she could easily have crossed back into France at times - I doubt there are border markings up there lol.

 

[RickshawFan]

IMO it's a good idea to keep open to all possibilities, but also, a desperate loved one of a missing person is often grasping at straws. I really don't believe the hike down that mountain was mostly flat and perfectly safe.

"Pic de Sauvegarde...is only recommended for very experienced adventurers...and is best used from May until October." Pic de Sauvegarde from Le Venasque

Then there's always the possibility she went off the trail to get more photos...

ETA, plus she appears to have been wearing black and could be quite invisible from a distance.

I haven't seen a photo of her all in black, so this might have been mis-reported.

Her pack is dark red with grey trim.

 

[hitthenick]

I haven't seen a photo of her all in black, so this might have been mis-reported.

Her pack is dark red.

Check her instagram site out, loads of photos of her on there in the last 30 days, all dark clothing.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

This photograph she took and that was posted.

I have precisely geolocated it to the spot it was taken at on 21/11. On the link, click it and you will have the direct view behind her, the photo was taken in front of the solar panel and the radio mast, this is visible through her sunglasses on the photo.

The link: Google Maps

Good work, Nick. So that was the photo she uploaded to Instagram on 21st. Can you also locate this photo which was Whatsapped to Dan on 22nd? I'd be interested to know exactly where that was too. No pressure!

 

[Vail]

This photograph she took and that was posted.

I have precisely geolocated it to the spot it was taken at on 21/11. On the link, click it and you will have the direct view behind her, the photo was taken in front of the solar panel and the radio mast, this is visible through her sunglasses on the photo.

The link: Google Maps

Unless they have infothey are not disclosing, I really don't know how they are so confident she isn't there. There are so many ravines and water and rocks that can hide her from air searches and it is physically not possible they covered all the ground.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Unless they have infothey are not disclosing, I really don't know how they are so confident she isn't there. There are so many ravines and water and rocks that can hide her from air searches and it is physically not possible they covered all the ground.

They can cover a large amount of any terrain pretty closely by using drones.

I know what you mean though, and I won’t be shocked if she’s found soon. But if she’s not.... where did she go?

 

[RickshawFan]

Unless they have infothey are not disclosing, I really don't know how they are so confident she isn't there. There are so many ravines and water and rocks that can hide her from air searches and it is physically not possible they covered all the ground.

I think it's not for us to second-guess SAR in this area or the related gendarmerie. They are familiar with the terrain. The trail also wasn't far for them to hike, and they'd be very fit.
ED's pack is red; it would really stand out.
They clearly have smelled a rat.

 

[Satchie]

This photograph she took and that was posted.

I have precisely geolocated it to the spot it was taken at on 21/11. On the link, click it and you will have the direct view behind her, the photo was taken in front of the solar panel and the radio mast, this is visible through her sunglasses on the photo.

The link: Google Maps

Interestingly, all around the area are water features and small lakes.

My theory is, she will have been carrying some weight in her backpack, the terrain is very rocky and shaley too.

My suspicion is she has fell into water somewhere and is weighed down underneath the surface - basing this on the fact she has not been sighted at all anywhere or by anyone after the photo's were taken and sent to her man.

Quite amazed really that she:
A- Actually went and did this on her own, at this time of year in sub zero temperatures on an evening, without any back up or emergency back up.
B- Walking in dark clothes when a hi-viz outfit or something distinct would have been much more sensible.
C- All of my hiking pals and these are super experienced people way above this girls experience, would definitely have not gone out up there solo without being properly equipped for any eventuality. Better still they'd at least have one other hiker with them.
D- She should have been using a GPS tracker linked to another person IE her partner so he can see her location anytime 24/7.
E- She shouldn't have even been out anyway because of lockdown - the French are kicking up a huge stink over this.
F- I smell a rat in their relationship, something isn't adding up, her frame of mind reading some of the posts she has put all over the place sometimes doesn't seem to make sense.

I'd like to know where her campervan was parked up prior to the walk, that was found but it would help to work out her route from the van, to the peak and back -then somewhere within that area is where she'll be found.

Thanks for the insightful post.

The most reliable source for her route is IMO the French SAR FB post (also in English)
PGHM Luchon

ETA: from the BBC: "Ms Dingley had started walking from Benasque in Spain on Saturday and had planned to spend Sunday night at Refuge de Venasque in France, Mr Colegate said." Esther Dingley: Partner says police 'looking at non-accident options'

No mention of where she'd spent Saturday night.

 

[RickshawFan]

The media don't say where she'd stayed Saturday night.

Snipped for focus.

She likely bivouac-ed. I can't think of anything more dangerous in that situation. It's very easy to get hypothermic: fog could roll in; with air currents, damp zooms up and down mountain slopes at dusk and dawn; she could suddenly have been in a squall; wind could come up. 5 minutes of any of this could be too much. And once your sleeping bag gets wet....