CA - Jonathan Gerrish, Ellen Chung, daughter, 1 & dog, suspicious death hiking area, Aug 2021 #2

[RickshawFan]

Thank you for clarifying! I cannot read these maps for the life of me!

Switchbacks would signify steep terrain and significant altitude gain. They make the slope easy to go up; it's just that they're lengthy and laborious.
They are very common out West.

 

[WillieMac]

Thank you for clarifying! I cannot read these maps for the life of me!

I've been struggling a little with the different maps and info as well. It would be nice to have one map that included info like, where the bodies were found, which direction of travel they were thought to have taken on their hike (LE followed footprints to find them, right? So we should know that?), where the car was parked, and include an overlay indicating which portions of the trail were named which, as well as the location of these 3 mines thought to be nearby (good find btw to whoever went down that rabbit hole to find that info!), as well as a distance legend. ...and if there's any way to include an indicator of elevation changes over a given area without making the map overly confusing, that would be good too. (Or maybe all of that info requires 2 or 3 maps?) I think I've seen most of this info in various posts thru these past threads and pages- but it's becoming more & more time consuming to go back and find them all. I'm not sure I have the mapping skills to put all of that together but I might give it a try this weekend if I can carve out some time on a desktop to see what I can come up with. ...but I've seen some of the mapping skills & dedication a few other members have shown here so I doubt I'm the right one for the job. Also, would a media & map thread maybe be helpful at some point here? It seems like I've seen those on other threads but I'm not sure we have on for this case yet.

 

[wary]

This is the Weather Forecast for August 15 during the morning hours:
8:00 AM: 85 DEG F
9:00 AM: 92 DEG F
10:00 AM: 99 DEG F
11:00 AM: 103 DEG F

And these temperatures are measured in the shade. Their hike was not in the shade.

About the same time period that this tragedy was happening, I ran out, barefoot, to get the mail. Southern California, inland foothills. The driveway is light tan colored, not blacktop. It was mid-morning; the sky was still overcast; the air didn’t feel particularly warm. Before I realized what a stupid mistake I’d made, I had burned the sole of one foot. It was blistered and painful for days.

 

[NSamuelle]

And these temperatures are measured in the shade. Their hike was not in the shade.

About the same time period that this tragedy was happening, I ran out, barefoot, to get the mail. Southern California, inland foothills. The driveway is light tan colored, not blacktop. It was mid-morning; the sky was still overcast; the air didn’t feel particularly warm. Before I realized what a stupid mistake I’d made, I had burned the sole of one foot. It was blistered and painful for days.

Oof. I hope your foot heals soon! That makes me feel so sorry for the dog with bare paws on an exposed and sunny hike. I feel sorry for the whole family, obviously, but I wonder if the arid ground was radiating heat - would it? I’m from the Northeast where the ground (dirt, not man-made) is typically cooler than the air but we don’t have extreme microclimates and drought like CA, so I don’t know how hot the ground would be to the touch after baking in the sun.

 

[rahod1]

I've been struggling a little with the different maps and info as well. It would be nice to have one map that included info like, where the bodies were found, which direction of travel they were thought to have taken on their hike (LE followed footprints to find them, right? So we should know that?), where the car was parked, and include an overlay indicating which portions of the trail were named which, as well as the location of these 3 mines thought to be nearby (good find btw to whoever went down that rabbit hole to find that info!), as well as a distance legend. ...and if there's any way to include an indicator of elevation changes over a given area without making the map overly confusing, that would be good too. (Or maybe all of that info requires 2 or 3 maps?) I think I've seen most of this info in various posts thru these past threads and pages- but it's becoming more & more time consuming to go back and find them all. I'm not sure I have the mapping skills to put all of that together but I might give it a try this weekend if I can carve out some time on a desktop to see what I can come up with. ...but I've seen some of the mapping skills & dedication a few other members have shown here so I doubt I'm the right one for the job. Also, would a media & map thread maybe be helpful at some point here? It seems like I've seen those on other threads but I'm not sure we have on for this case yet.

It's behind a paywall. Here's the link
'Not one clue': The mystery is only deepening around the family found dead on a Sierra trail

The proposed LOOP route is CLOCKWISE . The zig zag route from the river to the top (last leg where they were found) is up hill with a total climb of 1600ft to the top. They only made it half way. I edited this because we don't know if they took this entire route or did a down and back on the steep portion.

 

[RickshawFan]

Oof. I hope your foot heals soon! That makes me feel so sorry for the dog with bare paws on an exposed and sunny hike. I feel sorry for the whole family, obviously, but I wonder if the arid ground was radiating heat - would it? I’m from the Northeast where the ground (dirt, not man-made) is typically cooler than the air but we don’t have extreme microclimates and drought like CA, so I don’t know how hot the ground would be to the touch after baking in the sun.

Yes, that kind of ground radiates heat. It would be dusty, too. Just parching.

 

[woods]

There were few clues at the scene and no indications of foul play.

Wow. I wonder what kind of clues were found?

Searchers found Gerrish in a seated position on the trail with his daughter and dog next to him.

So, the dog was found next to the dad and not laying next to the baby?

Investigators sent samples of water from the river, creek and the couple’s bladder-lined backpack to labs and are still awaiting results.

Nothing significant was found during searches of the family home and vehicles.
Investigators have ruled out 2 causes of death in case of Mariposa family, but still have no answers

 

[RickshawFan]

It's behind a paywall. Here's the link
'Not one clue': The mystery is only deepening around the family found dead on a Sierra trail

The route is CLOCKWISE. The zig zag route from the river to the top (last leg where they were found) is up hill with a total climb of 1600ft to the top. They only made it half way.

Yes, but we have no verification from LE that that was the route. For all we know, this graphic with the clockwise hike comes from the imagination of a journalist.

 

[RickshawFan]

Investigators sent samples of water from the river, creek and the couple’s bladder-lined backpack to labs and are still awaiting results.

Snipped for focus.
I wouldn't want anyone to be led astray by the words "bladder-lined backpack". The bladder (max 3 liters) goes in a sleeve against the back. No lining.

 

[rahod1]

Yes, but we have no verification from LE that that was the route. For all we know, this graphic with the clockwise hike comes from the imagination of a journalist.

Agree...But we know they were found going back up on the steep grade. So the only other scenario would be down and back on that trail. I was simply trying to show the *whole enchilada* to the poster asking for some perspective. I did edit my post taking your input into consideration.

 

[rahod1]

Snipped for focus.
I wouldn't want anyone to be led astray by the words "bladder-lined backpack". The bladder (max 3 liters) goes in a sleeve against the back. No lining.

Interesting. That would *POINT* to one primary source of water which was 3L.

 

[JustReading01]

Foot and paw prints confirm loop.

"When the deputy found the truck, a search-and-rescue team hiked down the steep and straight road with flashlights and found shoe and paw prints similar to what you’d expect from a family of that size with a dog, Briese said.

At 3:20 a.m., the sheriff’s office reserved a search helicopter for daybreak. They called in a second search team that began winding down the switchbacks that complete the loop back up to the Forest Service gate. This section of the Hites Cove Trail makes a loop, with the halfway point the south fork of the Merced River.

About 1.5 miles down the switchbacks, around 11 a.m. Tuesday, the team found the family in the middle of the trail. The husband was in a seated position, the child beside him along with the dog, and the wife just a little farther up the hill. Briese said they believe the family was returning to their truck."​

 

[rahod1]

Foot and paw prints confirm loop.

"When the deputy found the truck, a search-and-rescue team hiked down the steep and straight road with flashlights and found shoe and paw prints similar to what you’d expect from a family of that size with a dog, Briese said.

At 3:20 a.m., the sheriff’s office reserved a search helicopter for daybreak. They called in a second search team that began winding down the switchbacks that complete the loop back up to the Forest Service gate. This section of the Hites Cove Trail makes a loop, with the halfway point the south fork of the Merced River.

About 1.5 miles down the switchbacks, around 11 a.m. Tuesday, the team found the family in the middle of the trail. The husband was in a seated position, the child beside him along with the dog, and the wife just a little farther up the hill. Briese said they believe the family was returning to their truck."​

Yes, but we don't know if they actually hiked the complete loop. It's still possible that they went DOWN the steep switchbacks to the river and back.

 

[armchairagatha]

Almost certain it was a heat stroke based on this article: UPDATE: San Francisco Family Found Dead in Sierra Foothills Not Exposed to Chemicals from Mine
Quote from the article: "Authorities also said they believe the family hiked more than eight miles in triple-digit heat with little to no shade from trees."

Hiking 8 miles in triple-digit heat with no shade is going to to be a killer, for sure! Very sad that these highly intelligent, seasoned hikers made such a poor choice that cost their whole family their lives.

 

[armchairagatha]

Similar case of a hiker dying in triple digit heat recently near Palm Springs: Hiker dies after collapsing during triple-digit heat on the Pacific Crest Trail near Anza - KESQ

 

[Megnut]

Let's look at this another way.

If the baby carrier was indeed a Kangaroo, (not the sling kind), one parent had the baby, in front. Not a back carrier. A front one.

Let's look at intention, not outcome.

Now we know they started early.....

How long ought that trail take? Anyone know?

Is it reasonable to think they planned to start early and finish before hell breathed on the earth?

If they got a later start, even if only by a half hour or an hour, what a vital difference that could have made!

So let's put them an hour behind schedule.

Mom, Dad with baby, dog.

They were found a mile and a half from their vehicle. What's a reasonable length of time, given favorable conditions, to hike that distance?

Remember that late start (JMO).... they were so very close to completing their hike! Even with whatever chain of events they were enduring, if they'd had lower temperatures longer, they might've made it out!

If we assume the dog was unleashed (seems to be their habit), it's reasonable to assume the dog might run ahead, run askance, make its own trail... and hot and thirsty, find water. Algae infested water.... (it's also possible as someone suggested upthread that the dog got separated from them and they had to spend considerable time looking -- while the mercury climbed -- even hot, too hot, who could turn back and just leave the pup to die?)....

My theory is that the dog is in distress first.... whether by algae or heat. And a decision is made (never once thinking the decision, not only wouldn't save the dog, it would prove deadly for everyone) -- to carry the dog.

Still JMO, mom takes the baby -- by now, they are all hot, thirsty...

Dad carries the dog.... and now they're hurrying... which only increases the exertion... the temperature keeps climbing, the dog is failing.... and dad is way overheated too.... the dog becomes lifeless.... dad sits, says he needs just a minute. But it's clear he's not getting back up. Mom has to get help. Or at least to somewhere with cell coverage. She can go faster alone. So dad becomes a tree, providing the only shade they can for baby.

She tries to hurry to get help.... but she succumbs to the heat....

If they did get an earlier start, if just that singular variable changed, could this have had a better ending?

How I wish this could've been a feel good story, where mom and dad and baby brave the mountain to save the family dog! IMO they were 1.5 miles from that happy ending...

Nothing nefarious. Just a tragic combination of events which pitted them on the trail longer than they planned IMO facing scorching temperatures, compounded by a stifling haze...

They may have died, trying to save their dog...

JMO

All so very sad....

 

[JustReading01]

Just in case someone doesn't know, there are personal locator beacons of all sorts of varieties, capabilities, and price points. I live where Search and Rescue is getting someone every week, and truly those locator beacons work and do save lives regularly.

 

[rahod1]

The thing that boggles my mind is that we have TWO very savvy adult parents who have, at a minimum, significant hiking experience (especially the father) in the outdoors, albeit not *EXPERTS*. I simply cannot fathom their contemplation of taking this hike when facing very challenging circumstances (heat) with an infant and a dog. I don't care how much they *prepared*....you have TWO HELPLESS passengers that are very vulnerable to HEAT. It was 85 when they embarked..knowing it was going to get much hotter. Sure, there are other explanations as to their demise, but it appears they were in denial as to the risk they were ultimately taking. I hate being judgmental here...it's a tradegy of epic proportions, but this was something that was preventable...algae...notwithstanding.

 

[armchairagatha]

Let's look at this another way.

If the baby carrier was indeed a Kangaroo, (not the sling kind), one parent had the baby, in front. Not a back carrier. A front one.

Let's look at intention, not outcome.

Now we know they started early.....

How long ought that trail take? Anyone know?

Is it reasonable to think they planned to start early and finish before hell breathed on the earth?

If they got a later start, even if only by a half hour or hour, what a vital difference that could have made!

So let's put them an hour behind schedule.

Mom, Dad with baby, dog.

They were found a mile and a half from their vehicle. What's a reasonable length of time, given favorable conditions, to hike that distance?

Remember that late start (JMO).... they were so very close to completing their hike! Even with whatever chain of events they were enduring, if they'd had lower temperatures longer, they might've made it out!

If we assume the dog was unleashed (seems to be their habit), it's reasonable to assume the dog might run ahead, run askance, make its own trail... and hot and thirsty, find water. Algae infested water.... (it's also possible as someone suggested upthread that the dog got separated from them and they spend considerable time looking -- while the mercury climbed -- even hot, too hot, who could turn back and just leave the pup to die?)....

My theory is that the dog is in distress first.... whether by algae or heat. And a decision is made (never once thinking the decision, not only wouldn't save the dog, it would prove deadly for everyone) -- to carry the dog.

Still JMO mom takes the baby -- by now, they are all hot, thirsty...

Dad carries the dog.... and now they're hurrying... which only increases the exertion... the temperature keeps claiming, the dog is failing.... and dad is way overheated too.... the dog becomes lifeless.... dad sits, says he needs just a minute. But it's clear he's not getting back up. Mom has to get help. Or at least to somewhere with cell coverage. She can go faster alone. So dad becomes a tree, providing the only shade they can for baby.

She tries to hurry to get help.... but she succumbs to the heat....

If they did get an earlier start, if just that singular variable changed, could this have had a better ending?

How I wish this could've been a feel good story, where mom and dad and baby brave the mountain to save the family dog! IMO they were 1.5 miles from that happy ending...

Nothing nefarious. Just a tragic combination of events which pitted them on the trail longer than they planned IMO facing scorching temperatures, compounded by a stifling haze...

They may have died, trying to save their dog...

JMO

All so very sad....

They hiked 8 miles in triple digit temperatures with no shade as per the article I linked above. That is a lot of mileage and cannot be explained by a small detour taken because the dog ran ahead to the algal blooms water. I agree their deaths were completely avoidable and tragic all around but not accidental. It was their deliberate choice to hike 8 miles IMHO. It would appear they kept going despite the harsh conditions until they could do it no more.

 

[mickey2942]

Yes, that kind of ground radiates heat. It would be dusty, too. Just parching.

Now, that brings up the dog, in Vegas, we had "booties" for our dog. On super hot days, we didn't walk him. But if he had to go to work, he wore "dog boots". (He was a therapy dog).

I wonder if the ground was so hot that the dog started having problems walking.