Found Deceased NC - Mitzi Sue "Susan" Clements, 53, hiker, Great Smoky Mountains NP, 25 Sept 2018

[BlkMtnGirl]

A man was killed by a bear in Cade’s Cove in the GSMNP September 12. They initially reported that officials euthanized the bear, who was seen acting aggressively, but then it came out they let it go. My battery’s dying, so I can’t do more map work, but it appears to be about 20 miles as the crow flies between Cade’s Cove and Clingmans Dome.
Family of man found dead in Smokies left with questions

 

[BlkMtnGirl]

BBM: Thanks, PM! That is really helpful info for us non-hiking aka couch potato types! So separating is common, but does increase risks....question: is there a standard sort of "safety protocol" for what hikers should do or carry with them in the event they do get separated from others and are either lost or injured?

Despite my post about the bear, hiking is really quite safe around the area. Most people on the trails aren’t hiking, really; they’re taking a walk in the woods. The GSMNP is the country’s most visited park. We usually carry water and basic supplies like aspirin (heart attack), bandaids (blisters), pocket knife (do you read Websleuths?) and toilet paper (lolol), but I’m always amazed at the number of people on the trail wearing dime-store flip flops. (I’ve seen some spectacular ankle injuries on these trails.) We have also taught our little one to stop and “hug a tree” if he gets lost. It’s a National Association for Search and Rescue program. Hug-a-Tree - NASAR
But again, most people wandering around out there are either clueless or unconcerned of the dangers because it’s really way safer statistically going on a walk in the woods than getting in a car.

 

[Deleted member 227458]

Despite my post about the bear, hiking is really quite safe around the area. Most people on the trails aren’t hiking, really; they’re taking a walk in the woods. The GSMNP is the country’s most visited park. We usually carry water and basic supplies like aspirin (heart attack), bandaids (blisters), pocket knife (do you read Websleuths?) and toilet paper (lolol), but I’m always amazed at the number of people on the trail wearing dime-store flip flops. (I’ve seen some spectacular ankle injuries on these trails.) We have also taught our little one to stop and “hug a tree” if he gets lost. It’s a National Association for Search and Rescue program. Hug-a-Tree - NASAR
But again, most people wandering around out there are either clueless or unconcerned of the dangers because it’s really way safer statistically going on a walk in the woods than getting in a car.

Thanks, BMG! Glad to hear you carry all of that with you when you go into the woods!! Out of curiosity, do you usually carry anything like a whistle or other noisemaker when you go onto the trails? Would there be cell phone coverage where she went missing, do you think? Have they published photos of the location she went missing? I'm trying to visualize whether that trail they were on was heavily treed, steep, rocky, etc.

 

[Laughing]

It doesn't have to be a conspiracy theory! This trail is rocky in places and in places can present a fall danger. Also, there are numerous black bear in the area as well as wild boar... As a former Park Ranger I've found that many people who get lost or injured are the ones who have tended to stray from the trail; they then cannot find their way back and they get thirsty, exposed to the elements, hungry, etc. It does not take long for someone with limited personal resources to find themselves in big, big trouble. Photos of Forney Ridge Trail - North Carolina | AllTrails

My granddaddy was a Parkie, as a child I knew some of the rangers on site when Great Smoky Mountain Nat'l Park became a park. Stories, stories....

 

[Deleted member 227458]

Search for Ohio mom who vanished in the Great Smoky Mountains | Daily Mail Online

 

[BlkMtnGirl]

Thanks, BMG! Glad to hear you carry all of that with you when you go into the woods!! Out of curiosity, do you usually carry anything like a whistle or other noisemaker when you go onto the trails? Would there be cell phone coverage where she went missing, do you think? Have they published photos of the location she went missing? I'm trying to visualize whether that trail they were on it was heavily treed, steep, rocky, etc.

We wear bear bells (like big jingle bells on your backpack) when in the GSMNP if we remember to grab them. I bought a whistle, but can’t to remember to put it in the backpack. So, that sort of sums up the experience. You know there are dangers, but unless you’re out in the backcountry, you don’t really need to worry.

 

[BlkMtnGirl]

I was poking around on Facebook. Rumor: A family member is saying both the mom and 20-year-old daughter weren’t feeling well. The daughter went back to the car, and Susan kept hiking.

 

[zecats]

A man was killed by a bear in Cade’s Cove in the GSMNP September 12. They initially reported that officials euthanized the bear, who was seen acting aggressively, but then it came out they let it go. My battery’s dying, so I can’t do more map work, but it appears to be about 20 miles as the crow flies between Cade’s Cove and Clingmans Dome.
Family of man found dead in Smokies left with questions

And Cade’s Cove is low elevation where there is a replica village of shops and craftsman buildings. We took our kids to GSMNP and visited this one day of our trip. Perhaps the man was hiking in the area and was killed there because hard for me to imagine a bear in that little town like setting. Not impossible if course. I’m gonna read up and see. Clingmans Dome on the other hand, is the highest elevation in the park and also connects with the Appalachian Trail. You can drive up there I believe as well. Black bears are not normally aggressive but it’s not impossible. Thinking there would be evidence if that if she were attacked. Her pack, pieces of clothing etc. Jmo and thoughts.

 

[zecats]

Photo of village. And man killed by bear 2 miles north of here.



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File:Cade's Cove Visitor Information Center.JPG

 

[Mauig’ma]

Why haven’t they found this woman yet? Shouldn’t they be able to find something? A scent, clothing, something?

 

[bowler]

Verizon sends portable cell tower to assist in search for missing hiker

 

[Mauig’ma]

That’s a great idea!! I hope it works

 

[Mauig’ma]

I wonder why they don’t use that more often. Maybe they do? First I’ve heard it

 

[Stunned]

And Cade’s Cove is low elevation where there is a replica village of shops and craftsman buildings. We took our kids to GSMNP and visited this one day of our trip. Perhaps the man was hiking in the area and was killed there because hard for me to imagine a bear in that little town like setting. Not impossible if course. I’m gonna read up and see. Clingmans Dome on the other hand, is the highest elevation in the park and also connects with the Appalachian Trail. You can drive up there I believe as well. Black bears are not normally aggressive but it’s not impossible. Thinking there would be evidence if that if she were attacked. Her pack, pieces of clothing etc. Jmo and thoughts.

Cade’s Cove is full of bears. Last Mother’s Day we saw well over 40 bears on 1 trip around the loop.

 

[Stunned]

Photo of village. And man killed by bear 2 miles north of here.



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File:Cade's Cove Visitor Information Center.JPG

Cade’s Cove is much more than the visitor center and Mill on the back part of the loop. It is my favorite place in the Smokies. I won’t say more because it is already to overcrowded!

 

[LaylaD]

Still searching ....
Park Mobilizes Additional Resources in Search for Missing Woman - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

As of Saturday, around 125 trained searchers and logistical support personnel from more than 30 state and local agencies and search and rescue organizations are participating in the search operation led by the National Park Service. Helicopters and multiple canine teams have been deployed for the search effort. Specialized search and rescue drones, operated by FAA-licensed pilots are being used in some areas to help search for Clements. Searchers have worked through rain, fog, wind and low temperatures in the 40s over the last several days in this mountainous region which straddles two states and several counties. Today’s forecast calls for clearer skies and drier air, a welcome change for search personnel.

 

[LietKynes]

I was poking around on Facebook. Rumor: A family member is saying both the mom and 20-year-old daughter weren’t feeling well. The daughter went back to the car, and Susan kept hiking.

Well that's a bit different than the other news article that states the daughter went on ahead and waited for the mom to catch up......
Still very sad and hopefully she will be found safe.
It's so easy to get lost, even while just taking a leisurely walk in the woods.

 

[LietKynes]

White tennis shoes? Those don't sound very suitable IMO. I think she's slipped. Or, gone off trail to the toilet and got lost on her way back.
I hope they find her!

If this mom was on the trail and just fell behind... how did she get lost ? Unless she left the trail.
Sad and scary.
Reminds me of the cases by David Pauliides.

Sorry so off-topic ; but I like your avatar ! (Guinea Pig ?)
My son has a short- haired female Syrian Hamster . (Lucy)
Little bugger escaped last week , and ruined my hair brush by biting off all of the bristles.

 

[zecats]

Cade’s Cove is much more than the visitor center and Mill on the back part of the loop. It is my favorite place in the Smokies. I won’t say more because it is already to overcrowded!

It’s been quite a while since we visited. My children are grown now. I remember it fondly though, as do they.

 

[Stunned]

Verizon sends portable cell tower to assist in search for missing hiker

They should leave it there. I have Verizon and I am the only one out of all the people I camp with deep in the Smokies, who never has service. That is scary when you think of all the places you hike or even see someone who needs help in the Cove and you have to wait for someone who doesn’t have Verizon. And it HAS happened at Abraham’s Falls.