WA WA - Samantha Sayers, 28, Vesper Peak, North Cascades, 1 August 2018

[FlossyMay]

I hope she did. It's better than the alternatives.

 

[i'm someone]

Is there any mention of people going to see if those bags that were left out on the trails for her have been taken? I'm not on FB so I didn't know if they had discussed that or not. Seems like it would be something they'd do while searching.

I've asked that on there, it got deleted.

 

[Rotten apple]

I've asked that on there, it got deleted.

Interesting- they were pretty public about putting the bags together, wonder why they haven't made mention of them since?

 

[PinkPrincessPoop]

You would think they'd want people asking questions about Sam. I hope that is not too harsh, I know they have their reasons, but still.

 

[kgreg2529]

I've asked that on there, it got deleted.

Uhhh, that’s weird. It’s a total, non-negative, rational question.

 

[i'm someone]

Uhhh, that’s weird. It’s a total, non-negative, rational question.

I know, I have been really careful now to only ask even more neutral questions, but I am out of those ideas. I know she could easily still be alive, but in the direction they are looking I think they've done all they can.

 

[madambluej]

Interesting Suglo, I was not aware of that.

I've prayed more for Sam more than I think I've prayed for any human in my life. She is a precious vibrant pure light in this world, and if there ever was a time that I hope I'm wrong it's this time.

But going with my strong intuition on this one.

 

[Michellesv44]

SAR did not keep track of where the survival kits were left, so there is no way to know. However someone noted some missing but it’s not clear who took them (hikers passing through, animals etc)

 

[Phantasma2624]

I know, I have been really careful now to only ask even more neutral questions, but I am out of those ideas. I know she could easily still be alive, but in the direction they are looking I think they've done all they can.

Kevin Dares just posted that they are searching in the lower areas (apparently a drone spotted a jacket--wasn't Sam's though), so I think they are doing a thorough search. I like to think of the Facebook page as almost like a support group for the family, as that is what it has primarily turned into. The mods are removing anything "negative" so as not to upset the family. This unfortunately includes many reasonable questions. I think they want it to be a community where they just tell people what to do and it gets done, not one that invites discussion.

I've seen this attitude before, and it's perfectly reasonable. I work with people who are new to our country, and in such a time of great stress, they tend to focus on one thing and one thing only. For my people, it could be a computer or a cellphone ("I have to buy one right now!") or getting a driver's license. For this family, it has shifted several times, but I believe it to be the same. First, it was the infrared, then the dogs, now the drone footage, and the searching of crevasses. I'm not trying to speak ill of them, I'm just saying that it's perfectly normal for them to want to focus without having any discussion, however right or wrong that may be.

The mother also posted another Facebook video tonight. The weather was terrible on the mountain, and they're hoping it will ease up tomorrow. She has also expressed that at this point they believe that she fell, and is just stuck where no one can see her, possibly with a broken leg(s). Still, they are remaining hopeful.

While I hope they are correct, I think that this is too wishful on their part. Surely if she fell and broke both legs, it would be incredibly difficult for her to survive this long. That means her mobility would be incredibly limited and although, as the mother points out on the video, you can survive weeks without food as long as you have water, I'm not sure how long you could survive without food and such an injury. I would assume falling from a height high enough to break both legs would also cause other injuries, and with those come the risk of infection.

Also, the mother expresses that she believes she is close to the trail. This I actually agree with as it would seem to be the most likely. However, if she is close to the trail, it isn't good news that she wasn't able to signal SAR or other volunteers in some way (e.g., screaming, fires, etc.).

 

[Cazingri]

The radio interview from August 1st, with KD is interesting.

A few things stood out to me:
*2 cellphone pings came from the top of the mountain. A third ping was 30 miles northeast. Why would a ping happen so far away?

*As of the date of interview there had been no trace or sign of Sam.

*KD spoke in past tense. Specifically saying, "Sam was doing what she loved." Which he said twice-back to back.

Mamabluej you might be on to something.

It's definitely worth a listen.

This is my first post. I received a FB post about Mollie Tibbetts. WS came up in a Google search for her. My emotions are in check now. It's amazing to see WS light shine through the darkness.
~Nana

 

[i'm someone]

I don't think KD would be out in that horrible weather day after day, using a drone for hours if he had anything to do with her disappearance. Drones are not easy to use in normal backyards, much less as far out as they are searching. I am sure flying it was nerve wracking, considering it could get messed up or run out of battery and never return to the starting point. He looks worried and sad in the videos, and I think he can be disregarded as anything negative.

 

[madambluej]

I don't think KD would be out in that horrible weather day after day, using a drone for hours if he had anything to do with her disappearance. Drones are not easy to use in normal backyards, much less as far out as they are searching. I am sure flying it was nerve wracking, considering it could get messed up or run out of battery and never return to the starting point. He looks worried and sad in the videos, and I think he can be disregarded as anything negative.

KD is a daredevil thrill seeker, I'm quite sure he enjoys flying drones on the mountain all day.

 

[Elainera]

Jeff Freiheit, an experienced Canadian hiker missing in the Alps since Aug 2, was found yesterday deceased hidden in a dense pine field. He had fallen from a steep cliff. Searches were intense just like for Samantha but due to where he was lying he could not been seen from above (helicopters) nor even from close by on the ground. Dogs did not detect him either due to the time that had passed and the weather. I believe it will eventually turn out to be a very similar situation with Samantha.

My heart goes out to her mom.

Presumed Located - GERMANY - Jeff Freiheit, 32, Canadian hiker missing in Alps, Bad Tölz, 2 Aug 2018

 

[i'm someone]

SAR did not keep track of where the survival kits were left, so there is no way to know. However someone noted some missing but it’s not clear who took them (hikers passing through, animals etc)

For through hikers(people who hike for like six months at a time sometimes) this is known as "trail magic", and a hiker on their way through probably wouldn't have realized it was for her specifically. Although by now they probably all do. At least I hope so.

 

[i'm someone]

KD is a daredevil thrill seeker, I'm quite sure he enjoys flying drones on the mountain all day.

It's cold wet and snowy. I'd take a look at some of the videos if you haven't yet. I can't see what the hikers think is so "beautiful" about it, myself. Just snow, jagged rocks and steep drops. But he looks pretty miserable.

 

[GraceG]

Is there multiple parking structures surrounding the area? Or do all hikers have to park in the same area before starting their hiking venture?

One of the reviews on the All Trails website for Vesper just mentioned one parking lot and forest service pages have info that parking is at the trailhead. So I'm thinking one lot.Vesper Peak Trail

 

[i'm someone]

Considering some of the videos from earlier hikers with comments like "never again" and such, I wonder if she was despondent. I'd never ask the mom right now, but just a thought. As the snow comes down and the temps at night drop, I feel more uneasy. But if she knows any bushcraft, who knows. She could be fine.

 

[Suglo]

New Dateline Missing in America Article:

Experienced hiker Samantha Sayers still missing weeks after going on solo hike in Washington state

“Authorities would later learn that hikers saw Samantha on her way up Vesper Peak around mid-morning. Another hiker would later report eating lunch with Samantha on the trail, and seeing her again around 3:00 p.m. at the summit.

Samantha’s mother Lisa told Dateline it only would have taken a couple of hours for Samantha to make the descent from the summit to her car. If she was at the summit at 3:00 p.m., Lisa said, she should have made it back to her car by 6:00 p.m. as she said she would.”

Seattle woman still missing after not returning from hike nearly three weeks ago

 

[Melanie G. FRENCH]

J

I don't even think they got cadaver dogs out there. The mom doesn't want to go that route. I think if she was on the move, as they seem to think, a month is kind of a long time to be wandering. But if she is down in the woods wandering or otherwise, searching endlessly in another direction is useless. If she was that experienced of a hiker, why would she hike towards a place that even search and rescue can't get to? Without knowing how she herself would respond to danger or being lost, it's hard to know what she would do. Unfortuneately, any conversation that heads in any direction other than she is alive and will be found in footage or the air gets deleted or they say people are being negative. I don't know, I think I'd want to try every single approach to the area. I mean, the videos have been watched over 5000 each. What if she is nowhere near the drone sites? What if she is somewhere completely different and is hoping desperately they don't think she's still up there? There could be a ton of stuff we are not privvy to. At the point they are at, until they come up with some new info, I have done all I can anyway.

I agree. I am impressed with KD’s relentless efforts to find her. Given his recent post on weather, I’m hopeful that maybe a colored piece of clothing might show through the white light snow. I know it’s a long shot but could happen. KD said the area where they found the pink and purple coat (not Sam’s) had been searched by SAR and others before showing how tough it can be to see things.

Re: the hope of life. The mom has said her mind has gone to other scenarios and she is choosing to believe Sam is still alive until hard proof otherwise. I think that’s normal. What family member wouldn’t hope for that outcome, despite the odds. The recent years have shown women kidnapped and gone for years to later be found alive. There is little doubt that their families had felt the same way and undoubtably had times of hope and other times of no hope.

Yes- I am realistic and know the likely outcome on this case.... but hope is not yet lost

 

[Phantasma2624]

Sam's mother just posted a new video that dealt with the abduction theory, and I think she hit on several important points:

• Vesper Peak is a heavily populated area. Experienced hikers have said that it would be highly unlikely for someone to try and kidnap someone from such a populated trail. Furthermore, if she were kidnapped in the parking lot area, she would have been surrounded by other cars and more people. There have been several incidents, but on trails that are far less populated.
• Sam signed into the park in the morning. This has been confirmed.
• Sam reached the summit around 3:00 p.m. This has been confirmed.
• Sam did NOT sign out of the park. This has also been confirmed
• None of her personal items have been found, indicating that she didn't put up a struggle against someone else. The mother stated that if someone did try to "shove her into the trunk of a car" they likely wouldn't have stopped to pick up all of her gear.

There are a couple of important things that can come out of this. One, I think the family and the police are leaning away from an abduction theory. All evidence suggests that she reached the summit, and then did not come back down. Additionally, I think this indicates that they are moving away from her being attacked on the trail. The trail is heavily populated, and I think it would be risky for any attacker or abductor to grab her from such a heavily populated trail. Evidence of this can be seen by the numerous pictures and videos that were taken on that trail that day.

The sign in/out thing is interesting, because I think this can corroborate Kevin Dares's story. If he were required to sign in upon reaching the peak, this would give the police a definite time of arrival.

It seems that the family is working on the theory that she has fallen, and was severely injured. KD's meeting with the police tomorrow to go over the maps, but the weather is forcing many of their volunteers off the mountain. The family is also trying to bring in more dogs, but they seemed to indicate that these dogs would be dogs to search for living people, not cadaver dogs.