Recovered/Located ID - Skyler Schnaidt, 25, hiker, wanted to walk across America, Kootenai Co., 5 Sept 2019

[GuyfromCanada]

KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho — Kootenai County search and rescue crews are looking for a hiker whose ultimate destination was near the Coeur d’Alene River.

Skyler D. Schnaidt, 25, last spoke to his mother on Sept. 5 before a trip where he would walk across the United States, staying off main highways and interstates.

His mother told authorities that Schnaidt was supposed to call her by the end of October when he exited roads that followed the Coeur d’Alene River, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Volunteer Search and Rescue team.

Search and rescue crews described Schanidt as 6-feet-6-inches tall, with a slim build, green-blue eyes and light brown hair.

Kootenai County Sheriff - Volunteer Search & Rescue

Search crews looking for hiker whose destination was near Coeur d’Alene River

Wow, this is a long time without contact and Skyler could be anywhere by now! I wonder how much money did he have and where would he stay for the night, hotels/motels? Also, what about food? What was his starting point, city/county? Maybe I am wrong, but so much could go wrong on the hike and it's a long one. Hopefully Skyler is safe somewhere.

 

[katydid23]

So he spoke to her on Sept 5th and said I'll call you at the end of October:? That's a long stretch between calls. Wish he had bought a cheap burner phone for the cross country hike.

 

[Steelslady]

So he spoke to her on Sept 5th and said I'll call you at the end of October:? That's a long stretch between calls. Wish he had bought a cheap burner phone for the cross country hike.

Maybe it was too hard for him to charge the phone. I am going to assume that maybe he was camping along the way, which wouldn't have electrical outlets to plug in a phone.

So he started out around September 5th? Tough time of year to start such a journey, with the weather getting wilder in the winter months.

Why do I feel like something important is missing here?

 

[Steelslady]

KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho — Kootenai County search and rescue crews are looking for a hiker whose ultimate destination was near the Coeur d’Alene River.

Skyler D. Schnaidt, 25, last spoke to his mother on Sept. 5 before a trip where he would walk across the United States, staying off main highways and interstates.

His mother told authorities that Schnaidt was supposed to call her by the end of October when he exited roads that followed the Coeur d’Alene River, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Volunteer Search and Rescue team.

Search and rescue crews described Schanidt as 6-feet-6-inches tall, with a slim build, green-blue eyes and light brown hair.

Kootenai County Sheriff - Volunteer Search & Rescue

Search crews looking for hiker whose destination was near Coeur d’Alene River

Wow, this is a long time without contact and Skyler could be anywhere by now! I wonder how much money did he have and where would he stay for the night, hotels/motels? Also, what about food? What was his starting point, city/county? Maybe I am wrong, but so much could go wrong on the hike and it's a long one. Hopefully Skyler is safe somewhere.

At the first link you provided, there is a positive comment in it that gives me hope.

 

[Steelslady]

When you think about it, he could be anywhere. Where would they even start to look for him?

Last time she heard from her son was Sept. 5th. I take it no one else- family or friends, have heard from him since then? It's been over two months now.

 

[Pax10]

I wonder if he left a plan of his route with someone? If so, that could be a start and it's good practice even for short hikes. I have no idea if that was done, though.

His description has him being very tall, so maybe that will stand out to people?

 

[katydid23]

Maybe it was too hard for him to charge the phone. I am going to assume that maybe he was camping along the way, which wouldn't have electrical outlets to plug in a phone.

So he started out around September 5th? Tough time of year to start such a journey, with the weather getting wilder in the winter months.

Why do I feel like something important is missing here?

My son used to go on really long backpacking trips. He used to take the phone every time he went into town---which was not often. But he would charge it up briefly in a restaurant to call and check in.

I know it's a hassle. But walking across country is a dangerous mission.

I feel hopeful he is just offgrid and will check in soon. Sending thoughts and prayers in his direction. ...

 

[mynoyb]

So he spoke to her on Sept 5th and said I'll call you at the end of October:? That's a long stretch between calls. Wish he had bought a cheap burner phone for the cross country hike.

Maybe it was too hard for him to charge the phone. I am going to assume that maybe he was camping along the way, which wouldn't have electrical outlets to plug in a phone.

Yes! There are small solar phone chargers for hikers/campers.

 

[bowler]

Yes! There are small solar phone chargers for hikers/campers.

And mercy get a beacon..... between the 2 it would be piece of mind for those back home and the hiker.

 

[Bit of hope]

Somebody on FB claims he had given Skyler a ride just the other day (November 7-8)....could be....but why wouldn't Skyler give his homefront a call in all this time. Yes, he could have lost his phone or it could have been broken...but he could have asked a bystander, even the poster, to use his phone, could even go to a police station or whatever.....Why didn't he reached out....

 

[Bit of hope]

My son used to go on really long backpacking trips. He used to take the phone every time he went into town---which was not often. But he would charge it up briefly in a restaurant to call and check in.

I know it's a hassle. But walking across country is a dangerous mission.

I feel hopeful he is just offgrid and will check in soon. Sending thoughts and prayers in his direction. ...

My son traveled all over Europe when he was very young. Somehow he always managed to give me a sign he was OK every 3 weeks. Using the internet in the library for instance...using the phone of people he met down the line.

 

[Bit of hope]

Where and when was his picture taken and what happened to his face?

 

[Bit of hope]

Maybe it was too hard for him to charge the phone. I am going to assume that maybe he was camping along the way, which wouldn't have electrical outlets to plug in a phone.

So he started out around September 5th? Tough time of year to start such a journey, with the weather getting wilder in the winter months.

Why do I feel like something important is missing here?

There is a lot of info missing here.....where was he when he last spoke to his mother...what were his plans....did he have enough money?

 

[MagnoliaMountain]

Where and when was his picture taken and what happened to his face?

I'm also wondering about what happened to his face. I wonder if he MIGHT have struggled with substance abuse and/or mental illness, just pure speculation of course.

 

[Steelslady]

Where and when was his picture taken and what happened to his face?

From what it looks like to me, it's a mug shot. I have no idea if it is, but after seeing thousands of them in the past, that's what it reminds me of. JMO

 

[Podengo]

Maybe it’s a mugshot from a fight. Could be a license picture as well, though. For a few years here in N.C. they made you mean mug for your license pic.

 

[Vail]

There is a lot of info missing here.....where was he when he last spoke to his mother...what were his plans....did he have enough money?

I agree...the Coeur d’Alene River is in the middle of a huge preserve adjacent to a few native reservations and is quite mountainous with snow and cold, wolves and wild cats. I haven't hiked there personally but looking at a map I don't understand how he planned to get across that without following some marked roads if his plan was to avoid 90. Where did he start from and when? A hike across that national forest from Spokane to Great Falls would take a very long time, much less a walk across the entire freakin US. I truly hope they find Skyler safe and sound but no sightings or checkins with any rangers in that area is concerning and makes me question how they know he is in Idaho at all?

Public records I can find suggest Skyler may be from Washington, making this the very start of his quest, but I cannot confirm that. He has 0 online presence.

 

[Steelslady]

I agree...the Coeur d’Alene River is in the middle of a huge preserve adjacent to a few native reservations and is quite mountainous with snow and cold, wolves and wild cats. I haven't hiked there personally but looking at a map I don't understand how he planned to get across that without following some marked roads if his plan was to avoid 90. Where did he start from and when? A hike across that national forest from Spokane to Great Falls would take a very long time, much less a walk across the entire freakin US. I truly hope they find Skyler safe and sound but no sightings or checkins with any rangers in that area is concerning and makes me question how they know he is in Idaho at all?

Public records I can find suggest Skyler may be from Washington, making this the very start of his quest, but I cannot confirm that. He has 0 online presence.

I know, I haven't been able to find anything on him at all. I just hope he's ok and has no clue no one is looking for him. He needs to check in with his Mom- two months is too long, not know if your child is safe.

 

[zecats]

I know, I haven't been able to find anything on him at all. I just hope he's ok and has no clue no one is looking for him. He needs to check in with his Mom- two months is too long, not know if your child is safe.

He doesn’t even look ok in the posted photo. Is that the best picture there is of him? He looks as if he was just in a fight.

I wonder how his mom felt knowing what he was planning and being out of contact for so long. I would probably follow my kids if they attempted such a thing.

 

[Steelslady]

He doesn’t even look ok in the posted photo. Is that the best picture there is of him? He looks as if he was just in a fight.

I wonder how his mom felt knowing what he was planning and being out of contact for so long. I would probably follow my kids if they attempted such a thing.

I know- that is an awful picture of him, isn't it?

There really isn't much details about this case at all. He still might not be missing, just off the grid somewhere. Which begs the question- how is he eating, sleeping, showering, etc? Does he have money with him or in a bank account that he can withdraw it as needed? Does he have his own cell phone, and if so, did he bring it with him?

No other family members or friends have heard from him since he left?

He doesn't have any social media that I can find.