Mt Whitney Zone
Posted By: wagga Yosemite Rangers Search For Missing Hiker - 05/06/13 09:57 PM
Report from KSEE-24.

"Yosemite National Park Rangers are conducting a search for a missing hiker, 73 year old Kenneth Stensby, who set off on a day hike early Sunday morning, May 5, en route to Vernal Fall"

SteveC hiked Panorama on Sunday, starting at 4 Mile.
From the KSEE report:
Quote:
Stensby's dark colored North Face day pack was found at the top of Vernal Fall, by the guard rails, late in the day Sunday by National Park Service personnel. It did not contain his camera.

Sheesh! I probably walked right by that pack! Didn't notice it when I was there, though, since there were dozens of people in the area.

I myself have tried to look over the top of the cliff and take a picture. These days, I'd clamp the camera to my hiking pole and hold it out over the edge.

You can see the pack in the picture lying right by the railing.
Originally Posted By: Steve C

I myself have tried to look over the top of the cliff and take a picture. These days, I'd clamp the camera to my hiking pole and hold it out over the edge.

As I recall, about three years ago, there were two Sun employees hiking in that same spot, who tried to look over the edge, slipped, and fell. Hopefully not the same outcome for this hiker.
sorry to be morbid, but the last time I was there and with a "railing issue at Vernal Falls" this was the scene and sign:



Posted By: Bee Re: Yosemite Rangers Search For Missing Hiker - 05/07/13 03:39 AM
Very sad; he is probably someone's dad or grampa (this always comes to mind when the legions of "darwin people" crawl out of the slime and take to the keyboard)

I guess they will begin the wider search of the area. *Sigh*
Posted By: KevinR Re: Yosemite Rangers Search For Missing Hiker - 05/07/13 10:22 AM
Originally Posted By: Bee
(this always comes to mind when the legions of "darwin people" crawl out of the slime and take to the keyboard)



I sure wish there was a "Like" button ...
Originally Posted By: Bee
Very sad; he is probably someone's dad or grampa (this always comes to mind when the legions of "darwin people" crawl out of the slime and take to the keyboard)


I believe there has been a great misunderstanding of the picture.

The cross was placed in 2011 even while the search was going on for the missing who were known to have gone over the falls. Other families might have left other symbols or mementos, but the cross was there as a symbol of respect.

It was a powerfully moving and sobering experience to come up the trail and be reminded of the frailty of human life. That cross stopped a lot of us in our tracks. Requiescat in pace

I'm sorry my posting was interpreted it a different way. That was not the intent.

Harvey, Bee's reply was not in response to your picture. It was more a commentary on what we often see in comments following such news reports.

I hiked past that point on Sunday, and earlier in the day, I found the prettiest blooming manzanita I've ever seen. When I heard of this man's fate, I thought how appropriate to see those flowers on the day he passed.

                                Kenneth Stensby, these are for you.  May you rest in peace.




Posted By: HikeUp Re: Yosemite Rangers Search For Missing Hiker - 05/07/13 05:30 PM
Originally Posted By: Steve C
May you rest in peace

They found him?
Posted By: tif Re: Yosemite Rangers Search For Missing Hiker - 05/07/13 09:17 PM
They found and recovered the missing hikers remains yesterday:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/parknews/stensbysar513b.htm

Yosemite Nat'l Park just posted the news item on Facebook.
Posted By: Bee Re: Yosemite Rangers Search For Missing Hiker - 05/07/13 11:29 PM
No, no -- Harvey, I was not thinking or responding to your post (if I "replied" to you, it was for convenience of beeing the next poster)

I was just sort of bracing myself for the usual insensitive comments that follow reports/accidents such as these. (other boards/posters are familiar with my wrath towards these types)

My apologies for not clarifying the post.
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