Hell Canyon SearchHell Canyon Search08-M-131308-M-1313

assist to Larimer Countyassist to Larimer County23-24 July 200823-24 July 2008

Hell Canyon SearchHell Canyon Search08-M-131308-M-1313

assist to Larimer Countyassist to Larimer County23-24 July 200823-24 July 2008

Missing male, Patrick Higgins, in his early 50’s, from Maryland.Missing male, Patrick Higgins, in his early 50’s, from Maryland.

Patrick was part of aPatrick was part of a leadershipleadership retreat with a group of 31 men who retreat with a group of 31 men who were camping in Hell Canyon, which they call Solitude Canyon. were camping in Hell Canyon, which they call Solitude Canyon. Patrick was out on a solitude hike, as were the other participants, Patrick was out on a solitude hike, as were the other participants, and was due back at camp by 17:00 Tuesday 22 July 2008. When he and was due back at camp by 17:00 Tuesday 22 July 2008. When he failed to return, the rest of the party looked for him that evening and failed to return, the rest of the party looked for him that evening and into the night. When he was not located by the following morning, into the night. When he was not located by the following morning, Wednesday 23 July, LCSO was contacted.Wednesday 23 July, LCSO was contacted.

Patrick had been in the area with the retreat Patrick had been in the area with the retreat since Saturday 19 July, but this was his first since Saturday 19 July, but this was his first trip into the woods, and thoughtrip into the woods, and though hehe was not was not familiar with this area, he did have the color familiar with this area, he did have the color photocopy topo map provided by the retreat.photocopy topo map provided by the retreat.

Patrick was thought to have a backpack with Patrick was thought to have a backpack with matches, water, extra clothing, whistle, and matches, water, extra clothing, whistle, and wearing a jacket, fleece, t-shirt, jeans, hiking wearing a jacket, fleece, t-shirt, jeans, hiking boots and hat. It was believed he had experience boots and hat. It was believed he had experience as a hiker. Limited medical issues, which were as a hiker. Limited medical issues, which were not believed to be a factor in this search.not believed to be a factor in this search.

The first sortie was flown Wednesday afternoon, after the Sun had The first sortie was flown Wednesday afternoon, after the Sun had descended low enough to cast Hell Canyon into shadow. descended low enough to cast Hell Canyon into shadow. Crew: Von Campbell MP, Bill O'Connor MO, Aaron Miller MSCrew: Von Campbell MP, Bill O'Connor MO, Aaron Miller MS

The second sortie was flown Thursday morning, while the Sun was The second sortie was flown Thursday morning, while the Sun was low enough to keep Hell Canyon in shadow.low enough to keep Hell Canyon in shadow.

The third sortie was flown after the Sun had ascended The third sortie was flown after the Sun had ascended enough to cast light into Hell Canyon, enough to cast light into Hell Canyon, so Patrick was able to signal this aircraft. so Patrick was able to signal this aircraft. Crew: Brian Smiley MP, Dick Sargent MO, Crew: Brian Smiley MP, Dick Sargent MO, Aref Deselov MSAref Deselov MS

The fourth sortie was flown to maintain The fourth sortie was flown to maintain high bird radio coverage for the CAP high bird radio coverage for the CAP and SAR teams that were walking and SAR teams that were walking the subject out to a road. the subject out to a road.

The third (find) sortie was piloted by Brian Smiley, who commented:The third (find) sortie was piloted by Brian Smiley, who commented:

He was impressed with Patrick’s ability to target the aircraft and follow it He was impressed with Patrick’s ability to target the aircraft and follow it through the banks and turns. This was told to Patrick during the interview through the banks and turns. This was told to Patrick during the interview at ICP, to which he replied: “I was motivated!”at ICP, to which he replied: “I was motivated!”

Brian also noted that, even knowing where Patrick’s camp was, the aircrew Brian also noted that, even knowing where Patrick’s camp was, the aircrew could only see Patrick from a narrow wedge from due west. All other views could only see Patrick from a narrow wedge from due west. All other views were blocked by the trees.were blocked by the trees.

In addition, CAP supplied ground teams that were assigned to two In addition, CAP supplied ground teams that were assigned to two search areas that were south of Patrick’s ultimate location. Thus, search areas that were south of Patrick’s ultimate location. Thus, they were able to hike to Patrick’s location and assist with the they were able to hike to Patrick’s location and assist with the walkout. Due to the steep side-hill walking necessitated by the walkout. Due to the steep side-hill walking necessitated by the terrain, one of the senior members aggravated his weak ankle terrain, one of the senior members aggravated his weak ankle condition, and this slowed the pace of the group.condition, and this slowed the pace of the group.

The original destination was chosen because it was the closest The original destination was chosen because it was the closest place the Colorado Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter could place the Colorado Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter could land. However, the walkout land. However, the walkout developed into a 5 hour ordeal, developed into a 5 hour ordeal, which would put them arrival at which would put them arrival at the helispot just before sunset. the helispot just before sunset. This was beyond the CANG This was beyond the CANG crew’s duty day, so the helicopter crew’s duty day, so the helicopter departed early.departed early.

Information obtained from Patrick, when interviewed at ICP: Information obtained from Patrick, when interviewed at ICP:

He used pink flagging to mark his path to his solitude spot, but ran out of it. He used pink flagging to mark his path to his solitude spot, but ran out of it. When it was time to return, he elected to follow a different route. When it was time to return, he elected to follow a different route. Said Patrick: “My ego got the better of me.”Said Patrick: “My ego got the better of me.”

Once he realized he was lost, he remained in the same location.Once he realized he was lost, he remained in the same location.

He decided not to climb out of the He decided not to climb out of the drainage to a ridge top because drainage to a ridge top because he was tired and concerned about he was tired and concerned about leaving his water source.leaving his water source.

He made two fires to create smoke, He made two fires to create smoke, which did not rise up in a plume which did not rise up in a plume but hovered low in the drainage, but hovered low in the drainage, likely due to prevailing weather. likely due to prevailing weather. Had one been a flaming fire, it is Had one been a flaming fire, it is possible the first sortie would possible the first sortie would have seen it.have seen it.

He used charcoal from his fire to He used charcoal from his fire to filter drinking water from the creek.filter drinking water from the creek.

Information obtained from Patrick, when interviewed at ICP (continued): Information obtained from Patrick, when interviewed at ICP (continued):

He heard horns of searchers on Wednesday, and he blew his whistle, but He heard horns of searchers on Wednesday, and he blew his whistle, but since he was low in the drainage, the sound probably did not carry very far.since he was low in the drainage, the sound probably did not carry very far. He saw the search plane on Wednesday and figured they were looking for He saw the search plane on Wednesday and figured they were looking for him, since the plane was flying him, since the plane was flying a grid pattern, so this was a a grid pattern, so this was a psychological boost for him.psychological boost for him.

The mirror he used to signal The mirror he used to signal the plane was only about the the plane was only about the size of a quarter, like the multi- size of a quarter, like the multi- function survival aid pictured function survival aid pictured here. Patrick had one just like here. Patrick had one just like this slung around his neck this slung around his neck during this interview at ICP.during this interview at ICP.

Other than being tired and Other than being tired and dehydrated, he appeared fine.dehydrated, he appeared fine.