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[pct-l] MISSING HIKER -- UPDATE



John Donovan is still missing.  

His cousin was contacted, and she indicated that John did not arrive there, and she was getting frantic.  The partner he'd been hiking with (who got off trail at Warner Springs), indicates that it was John's intentions to bypass Idyllwild.  Two hikers here in Agua Dulce now, Shamu's Trainer and Barnyard, indicate they'd seen John by the side of the road at Pines-to-Palms having breakfast, cooked by Meadow Mary, at 10:00 a.m. on May 2.  He told them he'd see them up the trail.  Numerous hikers remember seeing John, but all at or south of Pines-to-Palms.  No one has seen him north of that point, and he has not been heard from since.

Riverside County Sheriff's have contacted their volunteer mountain rescue team, and a search is planned for this weekend.  Planes and helicopters who frequent the area have been alerted.  Four hikers who skipped the section between Anza and Cabazon went back to complete that section, and are actively looking for John.  

There may be a different hiker going by the name of "Seabreeze" this season.  Those who aren't sure if they saw Seabreeze or John Donovan, please let me know and I will email John's picture.  

Thanks to all of you out there, and the hikers who have been pouring in, for all of the information they have been able to provide.  

L-Rod
aka Donna Saufley

-----Original Message-----
From: dsaufley@sprynet.com
Sent: May 22, 2005 11:42 AM
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net, paulbear1@hotmail.com, csiechert@hotmail.com, 
	jackcain70@hotmail.com, bigpines@hotmail.com, carl.s@charter.net, 
	carlito@gmail.com, director@pcta.org, info@pcta.org, 
	lollyjean@verizon.net
Subject: [pct-l] MISSING HIKER -- INFORMATION SOUGHT

A 60 year old hiker named John Donovan from Virginia is missing.  His trail name is unknown, but he does have one.  His last confirmed location was May 2 at the Anza Post Office, where he picked up his boxes and signed the PCT register.  He did not pick up his boxes at Cabazon, Big Bear, or Agua Dulce.  Mr. Donovan has completed the AT, and is an active member of a local hiking club.  It is his nature to stay in contact with friends in his hiking club, and he has not contacted them.  

There is a faint glimmer of hope in that Mr. Donovan's schedule showed that he would be staying with "cousins" when he reached Wrightwood.  No other information is known about the cousins and if he might be with them.  However, Mr. Donovan is also well aware that his friends back home in Virginia are watching his progress and concerned about him, and they indicate it would be very uncharacteristic of him not to let them know he was okay.  Perhaps the Wrightwood network of supporters could check their local registers and ask around to see if he might be there.

Needless to say, in between Anza and Cabazon lies the San Jacintos and Fuller Ridge, which is the jurisdiction of the Riverside County Sheriffs.  They have been notified of Mr. Donovan's disappearance.  Their plans to locate him are unknown at this time.  

Any information about Mr. Donovan's whereabouts will be appreciated.  Please pass this message along to anyone you think might have information, and let me know their contact information.  I will provide updates as available, including official agency contact information if/when it becomes available.  

L-Rod
aka Donna Saufley





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