Identified! FL - Big Cypress Natl Preserve, Male Hiker, Denim & “Mostly Harmless” July 2018 - Vance Rodriguez

[SugarQueen]

CCSO Media Relations

Very informative podcast from the Collier County Sheriff Department.

What were the autopsy findings as to cause of death?

We know from this podcast he was found in a semi-upright position with eyes wide open. He has notebooks filled with coding and ideas for video games he was writing. and he had a large amount of cash. But where was his pack?

 

[eucalyptuz]

I believe it was $3,400.00 in the tent, $47.00 on his person.

My bad! Sorry. Must have been distracted when listening.

$3,600...wish he could have had the energy to hike out to a hotel and eat a WaffleHouse breakfast.

Close to 16,000 shares...I really think we are on the cusp of knowing...I have a similar feelin now, to the same moment on the “Grateful dead doe” case when the information was starting to snowball...

 

[liona]

My bad! Sorry. Must have been distracted when listening.

$3,600...wish he could have had the energy to hike out to a hotel and eat a WaffleHouse breakfast.

Close to 16,000 shares...I really think we are on the cusp of knowing...I have a similar feelin now, to the same moment on the “Grateful dead doe” case when the information was starting to snowball...

Wow, that’s a lot of money to be carrying on you while hiking. I’d be very nervous about that. The majority of hikers are great people, it’s just that 1% that is worrisome. And this was at the end of his life. I wonder how much he started out with? Food, hostels/hotels and worn out gear replacements are just a few expenses I can think of to hike this far.

I think the CCSO is clarifying that it is not CONFIRMED he was from that area. He may have told someone he was from Lake George and he told lots of stories about working in the "tech industry" in NY but that may not be the truth. Or the person who thinks they met him could be remembering incorrectly on the Lake George detail. Or perhaps they didn't even really meet him--perhaps they met someone who looked like him or with the same trail name (Denim is a somewhat common one and there are a couple Denims every year). Look at how many suggestions there have been on this thread and how many of us feel he has a familiar face.

There are a handful of hikers who have photos they took with Denim (he used Denim on the AT and had that trail name longer than Mostly Harmless). Those who have photos I take to be the most credible and I 100% believe they met him (JV and MJO are two commenting in the CCSO posts who each hiked with him for weeks and have photos with him but never got his real name). However, not everyone has the best memories. Some hikers say they met him in NY (and I believe they are sincere-- at least the hikers who met him in Unionville seem to be certain it was him) but the earliest photos we have are of Denim hiking the AT in VA around August 2017. We don't have any pictures of him when he started out and was supposedly wearing jeans. He very well may have hiked through NY, NJ, PA, MD and WV without meeting anyone who took his photo in June and July of 2017. But it's not confirmed he came from NY. I think that is why the CCSO is posting that-- he may be from Lake George but they want all possible leads if someone has different info. MOO.

Yes he does have a very familiar face. I did however figure out who he looks like thanks to hubby. They are actually twins that we used to work with, actually while building Global Foundries years ago. There were way too many small connections. They are both alive and well too. It IS something about his eye shape and nose that is was so familiar that they could all have been brothers. MH has very kind eyes and that’s something that sticks with you.
I do wish they would share his story up North though. There are tons of trails that are great day or easy multi day hikes where you can get away with wearing amateur clothing and gear. I’ve even seen people up there climbing mountains in sandals (smh, I know very controversial in the hiking community), cotton clothes and not enough water. And I have never checked out their news up there until the other day and I suspect most up there don’t watch the Albany news. And a lot of people live up there because we would rather trade the hustle and bustle for harsh winters and beautiful summers. I live where I live for that reason tbh. The only reason I know what is going on in the world is because of WS primarily and reading the local new sites occasionally. I don’t even have cell service where I live and that is also how most of the ADK’s are. This story needs to go a bit further imo.

 

[liona]

IMO, the starving was a choice. I looked up starving by choice and it seems to be a decision made by terminally ill people that want a peaceful death. And also this is IMO, he was sick or thought he was, had a dream that he wanted to accomplish and he made a choice. I honestly hope so at least. There is comfort and peace when you have accepted death.
Years ago we had a lost hiker that starved to death over 55 days after taking the NPT and going off trail when he realized his food supply was low. IMO, he should have just stayed on trail and headed back to prior register. He was only 2.5 miles away from a road when found months later and he even ran into another person before he was lost and didn’t ask for help. Lost person behavior is interesting and it seems to me a lot of people do similar things while lost in the woods. Like pushing yourself further in.

 

[Suglo]

IMO, the starving was a choice. I looked up starving by choice and it seems to be a decision made by terminally ill people that want a peaceful death. And also this is IMO, he was sick or thought he was, had a dream that he wanted to accomplish and he made a choice. I honestly hope so at least. There is comfort and peace when you have accepted death.
Years ago we had a lost hiker that starved to death over 55 days after taking the NPT and going off trail when he realized his food supply was low. IMO, he should have just stayed on trail and headed back to prior register. He was only 2.5 miles away from a road when found months later and he even ran into another person before he was lost and didn’t ask for help. Lost person behavior is interesting and it seems to me a lot of people do similar things while lost in the woods. Like pushing yourself further in.

I just happened to be reading this article and a Mt. Whitney hiker forum post about lost people behavior. It’s really is interesting and potentially deadly.

13 Fascinating Facts about Lost Person Behaviour - Profound Journey

disoriented hiker | Reference | WhitneyZone Message Board

 

[Gardener1850]

One thing I have not seen mentioned yet is that in addition to the programming language for a new computer game he was also writing recipes for protein bars he wanted to create-- complete with the macro nutrients that each flavor would have.

Supposedly he told people he was heavy when he started hiking and he claimed he lost the weight as he hiked. Many people do lose weight hiking the AT but he has knowledge of macro nutrients? The only people I know who talk about macro nutrients are really into working out and keeping themselves fit and somewhat obsessive with their diet. Or are professional athletes or bodybuilding type of people. That doesn't fit with someone who was overweight or heavy before starting on the AT. JMO.

Also, the notebooks he wrote in were sold at a Dollar Tree store in North Carolina, although they were unable to tell which location he purchased them. This is especially interesting to me because there is a gap when he is not seen between Oct 8th and Nov 22. No one claims to have seen him on the AT in North Carolina or Tennessee that I have found. Oct 7th or 8th he leaves a group of hikers he had been hanging out with at a Damascus, VA hostel for several days waiting for a hurricane to pass. Around Nov 22rd he shows up again at Top of Georgia Hostel in Georgia. There are nearly 200 miles straight walking according to google maps or about 390 miles of Appalachian Trail between Damascus, Virginia and the Georgia/NC line using an AT calculator, but no sightings of him in North Carolina and Tennessee in October and November:
Google Maps

Appalachian Trail Distance Calculator

The Dollar Tree Notebooks prove he stopped in NC somewhere at least to get to a store. Someone had to have met him or seen him. JMO.

These details are in part 3 of the podcast: CCSO Media Relations

 

[Gardener1850]

I'm going to see if I can come up with a list of Dollar Tree Stores near the AT in NC but in the meantime, some general info on the AT in NC:

"There are 95.7 miles of the A.T. in North Carolina, but the Trail runs along the Tennessee/North Carolina border for 224.7 additional miles.
As the A.T. ascends to the High Country of the state line, hikers traverse the highest mountains along the Trail, including several above 6,000 feet."

"You’ll need an advance permit for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and depending on the length of your hike, shelter reservations as well.
All backpackers are required to stay at designated sites."

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Explore By State - North Carolina

I wonder if LE checked to see if he got a permit for Great Smoky Mountains National Park or made any shelter reservations in October and Nov 2017?

 

[SugarQueen]

writijng code for a game, developing an app for hikers, writing ideas for protein bar recipes. Those things all sound like someone with plans for the future. Notebooks purchased along the way. This wasn’t something half done that he brought along to pass the time. Ugh, IDK what to think anymore.
I hope this hike was everything wonderful for him, right up until the end.

 

[Gardener1850]

Cities in the Appalachian Mountains of NC that have a Dollar Tree:

West Jefferson
Boone
Marion
Weaverville
Asheville
Brevard
Hendersonville
Clyde
Sylva
Franklin
Murphy

Dollar Tree | Locations in North Carolina
Most of the cities mapped out between Damascus and the Georgia hostel he stayed at in late Nov 2017: Google Maps

Of the above list Franklin, NC seems like the most likely city he could have bought the notebooks in because there are several recommended AT hostels in Franklin:
Complete List of Hostels on the Appalachian Trail - The Trek

Top address in the following map is the Franklin Dollar Tree location-- it's approximately 1 to 2 miles walk from a couple hostel addresses (one of the hostels also says it rents bicycles):
Google Maps

 

[SugarQueen]

Awesome job Gardener!!!

 

[Catmommy]

I think he'd prefer to remain what he's quickly becoming, a legend of the hiking trail. Let him stay Mostly Harmless. And let him rest, in peace.

 

[UnlicensedPI]

One thing I have not seen mentioned yet is that in addition to the programming language for a new computer game he was also writing recipes for protein bars he wanted to create-- complete with the macro nutrients that each flavor would have.

Supposedly he told people he was heavy when he started hiking and he claimed he lost the weight as he hiked. Many people do lose weight hiking the AT but he has knowledge of macro nutrients? The only people I know who talk about macro nutrients are really into working out and keeping themselves fit and somewhat obsessive with their diet. Or are professional athletes or bodybuilding type of people. That doesn't fit with someone who was overweight or heavy before starting on the AT. JMO.

Also, the notebooks he wrote in were sold at a Dollar Tree store in North Carolina, although they were unable to tell which location he purchased them. This is especially interesting to me because there is a gap when he is not seen between Oct 8th and Nov 22. No one claims to have seen him on the AT in North Carolina or Tennessee that I have found. Oct 7th or 8th he leaves a group of hikers he had been hanging out with at a Damascus, VA hostel for several days waiting for a hurricane to pass. Around Nov 22rd he shows up again at Top of Georgia Hostel in Georgia. There are nearly 200 miles straight walking according to google maps or about 390 miles of Appalachian Trail between Damascus, Virginia and the Georgia/NC line using an AT calculator, but no sightings of him in North Carolina and Tennessee in October and November:
Google Maps

Appalachian Trail Distance Calculator

The Dollar Tree Notebooks prove he stopped in NC somewhere at least to get to a store. Someone had to have met him or seen him. JMO.

These details are in part 3 of the podcast: CCSO Media Relations

I know this theory is a little out there, but maybe he had an eating disorder. People with EDs have unbelievable knowledge of nutrition, weight fluctuations, and the willpower to starve themselves to death.

Or, more likely, he did research on nutrition before he began his journey.

 

[SugarQueen]

I think he'd prefer to remain what he's quickly becoming, a legend of the hiking trail. Let him stay Mostly Harmless. And let him rest, in peace.

I’ve actually thought about whether that’s the right thing to do. Originally I thought he must have SOMEONE who would want to know, someone he cared about. I thought maybe he didn’t want to be a burden if he was ill. Maybe this hike was something he wanted to do while he still could.
Hearing what we have about the notebook purchase, writing the code, developing an app, recipes for nutrition bars, that all speaks to someone wanting a future. While he might have wanted to remain Mostly Harmless on the trail it sounds like he was planning on a life afterwards. It doesn’t sound like he was planning on remaining anonymous forever. We just have no way of knowing if he would want to remain anonymous so we trudge on.

 

[SugarQueen]

I know one thing, whenever I run into a hiker taking a break I’m going to make it a point to stop and chat with them if they will let me.
I’m also planning on doing some trail angel acts once the weather is better. There are several places near me where I can hit the AT and share bottles of water and snacks.
We only day hike but I’ll make sure we bring extra to share then too.

 

[carbuff]

One thing I have not seen mentioned yet is that in addition to the programming language for a new computer game he was also writing recipes for protein bars he wanted to create-- complete with the macro nutrients that each flavor would have.

Supposedly he told people he was heavy when he started hiking and he claimed he lost the weight as he hiked. Many people do lose weight hiking the AT but he has knowledge of macro nutrients? The only people I know who talk about macro nutrients are really into working out and keeping themselves fit and somewhat obsessive with their diet. Or are professional athletes or bodybuilding type of people. That doesn't fit with someone who was overweight or heavy before starting on the AT. JMO.
...

Snipped by me

Hikers, especially long distance hikers, tend to become very interested in nutrition, since they have to plan their food supplies so carefully.

 

[Coffee56]

Always following. Few thoughts along the way. I need to listen to the podcasts again (interruptions at work and all) but I believe I heard the yellow tent was purchased in NC. Was he using one before that?

He had food on him, not much but some, and enough money to replenish so lack of food wasn’t a problem. It can be difficult to gain back an appetite if it’s lost due to illness, eating disorder etc. I’d imagine even more so on the trail.

If I had access to food I would only eat wild berries, greens etc if I was absolutely positive they were edible. So I’m doubtful that he ate anything. Though I’ve read viruses can be transferred pretty quickly along the trail. I have no idea what the result of this would be on the trail with no form of treatment but I’d guess dehydration would kick in pretty quick.

I’ve read in various comments in various places that his sister nursed him back to health. I believe it was May-June. if this is true, was this illness pre existing, a result of a trail sickness or just in need of a rest? I can’t imagine a sister nursing him back to health and then not following him on the trail to make sure he’s ok. But then I think that same sister would let him go peacefully on his terms if that’s what he wanted.

Due to HIPAA violations, would it be released if he was found with any prescription meds?

So many questions. So many possible scenarios.

 

[ilovepierre]

I believe it was $3,400.00 in the tent, $47.00 on his person.

Wow!
That’s a lot of money to be carrying around while hiking....

JMO

 

[Gardener1850]

Always following. Few thoughts along the way. I need to listen to the podcasts again (interruptions at work and all) but I believe I heard the yellow tent was purchased in NC. Was he using one before that?

He had food on him, not much but some, and enough money to replenish so lack of food wasn’t a problem. It can be difficult to gain back an appetite if it’s lost due to illness, eating disorder etc. I’d imagine even more so on the trail.

If I had access to food I would only eat wild berries, greens etc if I was absolutely positive they were edible. So I’m doubtful that he ate anything. Though I’ve read viruses can be transferred pretty quickly along the trail. I have no idea what the result of this would be on the trail with no form of treatment but I’d guess dehydration would kick in pretty quick.

I’ve read in various comments in various places that his sister nursed him back to health. I believe it was May-June. if this is true, was this illness pre existing, a result of a trail sickness or just in need of a rest? I can’t imagine a sister nursing him back to health and then not following him on the trail to make sure he’s ok. But then I think that same sister would let him go peacefully on his terms if that’s what he wanted.

Due to HIPAA violations, would it be released if he was found with any prescription meds?

So many questions. So many possible scenarios.

He purchased the tent in Georgia at Top of Georgia Hostel and Hiking Center:
North Georgia Hiking Center and Hostel | Top of Georgia Hostel
I have not heard anything about his using a tent on the AT. He stayed in the trail shelters and at hostels along the way. The owner Bob was interviewed and said he was surprised he bought such a large tent near the end of his AT hike. It was a 2 person tent and $300, which he paid in cash. The tent was also made in 2012-2013 but Bob said he had trouble selling it until Denim came along. That brand is no longer sold anywhere on the AT according to the manufacturer's website. IMO, the tent might have been purchased specifically because he was planning to hike the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama and then the Florida Trail and he would not have as much access to shelters and hostels on those trails.

I wish that they would share photos of the contents of his pack.

MOO.

 

[K9Enzo]

Wow!
That’s a lot of money to be carrying around while hiking....

JMO

It is. To me it means he started out with even more money and made great efforts not to leave a paper trail. The fact that $40 was found separately from the 3k + tells me when he did pay for something, he didn’t want to show the large stash of cash, which is wise.

I know pictures can be deceiving but he looked happy with a kind expression. Who was he and what happened? I’m happy the sheriffs office did that excellent podcast, hopefully it starts to pick up more momentum.

 

[K9Enzo]

The pack. To a degree, I feel like LE is purposely being vague about the pack. On NameUs they gave such detailed descriptions about everything else but excluded the pack.