AK AK - Thomas Seibold, 31, Wisconsin man in Alaska wilderness, Sept-Nov 2012

[StormyNights]

I totally get people wanting to do these types of "adventures" for lack of a better word, but there HAS to be some way to be able to keep track of them or someway for them to be able to keep in touch with someone. Install some type of GPS on your ankle. If he is a survivalist, then you would think they would take every precaution they could possible think of. I am pretty sure they make watches with GPS devices in them. I just wish people would use them as a "just in case" type thing. I am NOT blaming Thomas here at all. I just wish people would put their safety first in these types of situations.

 

[angelainwi]

I sure hope there is a happy ending to this. And I agree there needs to be some kind of GPS device or something for those venturing out.

 

[Paul]

I totally get people wanting to do these types of "adventures" for lack of a better word, but there HAS to be some way to be able to keep track of them or someway for them to be able to keep in touch with someone. Install some type of GPS on your ankle.

There's a device called "SPOT" that does exactly that, it uses GPS to know your location, and communications satellites to send "OK" or "SOS" messages. And it can send location dots to an online map that your family/friends can look at while you're out there hiking.

http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=102

 

[northwind]

Troopers call off search for Wisconsin man: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/state-and-regional/troopers-suspend-search-for-man-missing-in-alaska/article_60701dbe-0b3a-56ab-a1c3-4550fd07e342.html

I have a feeling that Thomas was the sort who wouldn't have worn a tracking device, no matter what. I don't want to make big assumptions, but it seems to me the purpose of his trip was to survive alone in the wilderness with as little modern gear as possible. Which, yeah, I can understand. I love all the big adventure books, and they inspire me and make me want to just get out and live wild. But... I also know my own limits. (And to be fair to Thomas it sounds like his limits were much bigger than mine! He was doing fine until he suddenly wasn't.)

The old Native ways are sort of romanticized in this day and age. They had a hard time back then. And even though the simpler way of life is attractive, it also was very easy to die. I'm sure they realized that and didn't often go out for extended trips by themselves. They created the best community they could to keep everyone alive in the conditions they were subjected to.

Being alone in the wilderness, all it takes is one bad fall and a broken ankle to do you in. You might do everything right, and something bad still happens. If he's really gone, which seems likely as they've now called off the search, then I hope at least there is comfort to his loved ones that he died doing what he loved most.

Ugh, I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch, but it really does seem so likely that he's gone at this point.

 

[windrower]

I am also from WI. This is a post that I have gotten from a wall on FB about Thomas in regards to his last journal entry "In them he describes his hiking and camping higher up in the mountains exploring for a camp site. He also talked about cleaning and preparing wood at the cabin for the colder weather ahead, which intimates that he was planning to return to the cabin. Then he wrote about his plans to hike out for further exploration and that is where the letters ended. The last date on his dream journal was Oct. 7." From what I have read Thomas is well experienced and has even gone on hunts in Norway but with temps reaching with wind child 30-40 below 0F takes this situation to a whole different extreme.

BBM

Has it been proven that Thomas left the cabin area after staying with the woman and her son? I'm assuming the bolded above was an online journal entry? If so, strange to me he would have enough techie stuff to post from the north-boonies Alaska, but would have eschewed a GPS tracker of some sort. I only read the first ABC link. Perhaps the other articles give more details?

 

[StormyNights]

Troopers call off search for Wisconsin man: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/state-and-regional/troopers-suspend-search-for-man-missing-in-alaska/article_60701dbe-0b3a-56ab-a1c3-4550fd07e342.html

I have a feeling that Thomas was the sort who wouldn't have worn a tracking device, no matter what. I don't want to make big assumptions, but it seems to me the purpose of his trip was to survive alone in the wilderness with as little modern gear as possible. Which, yeah, I can understand. I love all the big adventure books, and they inspire me and make me want to just get out and live wild. But... I also know my own limits. (And to be fair to Thomas it sounds like his limits were much bigger than mine! He was doing fine until he suddenly wasn't.)

The old Native ways are sort of romanticized in this day and age. They had a hard time back then. And even though the simpler way of life is attractive, it also was very easy to die. I'm sure they realized that and didn't often go out for extended trips by themselves. They created the best community they could to keep everyone alive in the conditions they were subjected to.

Being alone in the wilderness, all it takes is one bad fall and a broken ankle to do you in. You might do everything right, and something bad still happens. If he's really gone, which seems likely as they've now called off the search, then I hope at least there is comfort to his loved ones that he died doing what he loved most.

Ugh, I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch, but it really does seem so likely that he's gone at this point.

Okay, so I don't understand. They are just doing to give up looking for this man? Seriously? I can't even wrap my head around this right now. I agree, sadly, that he is probably gone. But for his family's sake, find this poor man's remains for a proper burial. I understand that the conditions are totally hazardous, but this is a human life we are talking about! I just feel awful for his family. I pray that they can find some peace in this lease:

 

[StormyNights]

Wow Thomas.
Where ever you are I hope its been an adventure!
Please lord bring him home safe.

In one of the articles they mentioned the pilot saying his boots were worn out and then the Song fellow said that Thomas knew how to repair his own. But, that he didn't use matches even. Anyway I do feel a bit of mystery in the storytelling of this mans last days. I will be watching and praying for you Mr. Thomas.

I grew up in Wisconsin and we had a hunting cabin up north-complete with outhouse, bunks and no electricity. It was so cold tromping through that deep snow and to get back to the cabin hours later-you just never warmed up. Those trips were total misery for me as a child, unbearable torture.

My brother hunted and went alone into the tundra of Alaska for two weeks. I would love to hear those stories he tells again.

Now days I make my life in the south! I get cold when it gets below 70.

jmo

Just wanted to say "hello" fellow Cheese Head :seeya:

 

[marycarney]

Okay, so I don't understand. They are just doing to give up looking for this man? Seriously? I can't even wrap my head around this right now. I agree, sadly, that he is probably gone. But for his family's sake, find this poor man's remains for a proper burial. I understand that the conditions are totally hazardous, but this is a human life we are talking about! I just feel awful for his family. I pray that they can find some peace in this lease:

I understand your frustration, but you must also consider the lives, health and safety of the searchers. He chose this path - willingly - and from all the studying and training he did, seemed well-aware of the dangers. To ask LE to conduct a search for a figurative needle in a haystack and risk their lives, and the families THEY would leave behind is asking (IMHO) too much.

 

[hollyblue]

I understand your frustration, but you must also consider the lives, health and safety of the searchers. He chose this path - willingly - and from all the studying and training he did, seemed well-aware of the dangers. To ask LE to conduct a search for a figurative needle in a haystack and risk their lives, and the families THEY would leave behind is asking (IMHO) too much.

I agree. They stated the area he was probably in had no access except by boat or plane. It would be like a needle in huge and vast haystack.
He may have been in the elements in Norway when hunting, but I don't believe he was alone. Brave man, I'll say that for him.

 

[WideOpen]

I understand your frustration, but you must also consider the lives, health and safety of the searchers. He chose this path - willingly - and from all the studying and training he did, seemed well-aware of the dangers. To ask LE to conduct a search for a figurative needle in a haystack and risk their lives, and the families THEY would leave behind is asking (IMHO) too much.

I have to agree with this sentiment.

I am guessing when you have a loved one who is a total adrenaline junkie, dare devil, into extreme sports etc... you learn to live with the persons decisions as their own. In a way you might call it detaching (as with an addict) as well as embracing the individual. Thomas's family and loved ones probably learned to "deal" with his extreme love of outdoors, nature, and risk taking.

Expecting the searchers and people trained to find Thomas to go out and risk their own lives in those conditions is "selfish" for lack of a better word, IMO.
These are my thoughts but I think it somewhat irresponsible for Thomas to go out and not be using GPS or what-not to ensure that someone wasnt risking their life to save his. BUT, I love Thomas's spirit-he has probably died- as expected- doing what he loved.

JMO

and :seeya: Stormy Nights!!!

 

[summer_breeze]

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/friends-missing-german-press-search-frozen-arctic-alaska

Craig Medred | Dec 07, 2012

Despite the slim chance adventurer Thomas Seibold remains alive in Alaska's cold and remote Brooks Range, the Teaching Drum Outdoor School in Wisconsin says it is going to press on with a search for the 31-year-old man or his body.

 

[StormyNights]

I am glad someone is still looking for this man. I do understand LE scaling back I guess, but I still wouldn't be able to accept that if it was my loved one that was missing out there, and I doubt many people would either. I keep Thomas in my prayers and hope a Christmas miracle occurs, like yesterday!!

 

[PaulR]

My first instinct says that he is a Chris McCandless type of guy...I just hope it doesn't end the way that it did for Chris.

If you read Krakauer's book on McCandless ("Into The Wild"), he talks about a few other cases of people going to Alaska thinking they are going to survive in the wilderness, and come to a rather bad end.

 

[marycarney]

First, it's a little disingenuous for the school to say it is going to 'press on in the search'. They are actually going to ask for help from the Park Service and raise money to pay locals to search.

Second, there is a VERY interesting comment in the comments section........

 

[PaulR]

First, it's a little disingenuous for the school to say it is going to 'press on in the search'. They are actually going to ask for help from the Park Service and raise money to pay locals to search.

Second, there is a VERY interesting comment in the comments section........

Which one?

The "darker" of the comments reminds me of what the natives said when Timothy Treadwell ("Grizzly Man") was killed. There doesn't appear to be a lot of sympathy for people who go off on their own in the Alaskan bush.

 

[marycarney]

The second one.

 

[PaulR]

The second one.

Why would that be the case though? Usually - especially around this time of year when it's dark and you can't easily forage for food anymore - people come back if they have that ability.

 

[marycarney]

There are a thousand places to 'get lost' in Alaska if you wanted to. Not saying the commenter even knows anything about the situation - but stranger things have happened.

 

[StormyNights]

Bumping for Thomas......

 

[StormyNights]

Bumping for Thomas.....