Re: Missing Person: Yosemite Falls Trail

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Yosemite National Park Searches for Missing Person Near Upper Yosemite Falls

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Date: June 19, 2011
Yosemite National Park is searching for 30 year old George Penca, from Hawthorne, California. Penca was last seen on the Upper Yosemite Fall trail in Yosemite Valley where he was hiking with a group of people from his church. He has been missing since Friday, June 17.

At approximately 9:00 p.m. on Friday, the Yosemite Emergency Communications Center received a call from a member of the group reporting Penca as a missing person. The group began hiking to Upper Yosemite Fall earlier in the day. Once at the top of Yosemite Falls, the group dispersed. Upon return to Yosemite Valley, the group noticed that Penca was absent and thought he may have returned ahead of the party. Penca did not return to Yosemite Valley and a missing persons report was filed.

Yosemite National Park is asking anyone in the area of the Upper Yosemite Fall Trail who may have information on George Penca to please call the Search and Rescue Command Post at 209-372-0311 or 209-372-0252. Penca is 5’ 10” tall, weighs 240 pounds, and has dark brown hair, blue eyes, a stocky build. He was last seen wearing gray sweatpants with white stripes, a black t-shirt that says “D&B” across the chest, or a black tank top, and gray/blue running shoes. He was carrying a blue cloth bag and had very little food and water. The group was intending to hike to Upper Yosemite Fall as a day-hike.

The park helicopter has been assisting ground teams in the search for Penca. Additional Search and Rescue teams include personnel from Yosemite National Park Search and Rescue, Mariposa County, Mono County, Fresno County, Marin County, and Yosemite Search and Rescue Dog Teams.

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If you were near the top of Upper Yosemite Falls, the Upper Yosemite Fall Trail, or any trail between Yosemite Valley and Tioga Road on Friday or Saturday, June 17-18, please call the Yosemite National Park Search and Rescue Office at 209/372-0311 or 209/372-0252 whether you have seen George or not. Your information will help us focus the search area. If you have trouble getting through you can call 209/379-1992 at any hour. (If you have information, please call these numbers rather than posting it here.)

GEORGE PENCA
-30 years old, 5 ft 10 in, 220 pounds
-Dark brown hair about 4 inches long, blue eyes, stocky build, speaks English.
-Last seen wearing gray sweatpants with white stripe, a black t-shirt that says “D & B” or a black tank top, gray/blue running shoes, had a blue cloth bag.
-Last seen at the top of Upper Yosemite Fall on Friday, June 17 at 4pm.

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Yosemite National Park Press Release:

Search Continues for Missing Hiker in Yosemite National Park

Date: June 21, 2011

Search Efforts Scaled Back on Fifth Day of Search

The search continues in Yosemite National Park for missing hiker George Penca, who was last seen at the top of Yosemite Falls on Friday, June 17, 2011. Due to the fact that the area has been thoroughly searched by personnel and dogs, the terrain is rugged and steep, and no clues have been found, search efforts are being scaled back.

Penca, from Hawthorne, California, began hiking the Upper Yosemite Fall Trail on June 17 with a group of 20 people from his church. The group dispersed at the top of the waterfall and later regrouped to hike back to Yosemite Valley. Penca did not meet back up with the group and a missing persons report was filed later that night.

Initial search activities began on Friday night, June 17, with ground Search and Rescue personnel searching the area Penca was last seen. A full-scale search operation was initiated on Saturday, June 18, including approximately 105 Search and Rescue personnel, two helicopters from Yosemite National Park and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, dog teams, and 14 California County Search and Rescue teams. The search area included 70 square miles of rugged terrain ranging in elevation from 4,000 feet above sea level to 8,000 feet above sea level.

The change in search strategy was implemented after review of continuing risk exposure for Search and Rescue personnel and the lack of clues as to Penca's location. Yosemite National Park Search and Rescue teams will remain in the Yosemite Falls area and will continue ground search efforts.

Yosemite National Park is asking anyone in the area of the Upper Yosemite Fall Trail who may have information on George Penca to please call the Yosemite Emergency Communication Center at 209-379-1992. Penca is 5' 10" tall, weighs 240 pounds, and has dark brown hair, blue eyes, a stocky build. He was last seen wearing gray sweatpants with white stripes, a black t-shirt that says "D&B" across the chest, or a black tank top, and gray/blue running shoes.

Agencies involved in the search for Penca include: Yosemite National Park Search and Rescue, Inyo County, Mono County, Mariposa County, Marin County, Fresno County, Tuolumne County, China Lake, Los Angeles County, Nevada County, Sierra Madre, Yosemite Search and Rescue Dog Teams, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and California Explorer Search and Rescue.

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parklover
I can't imagine the pain that the family and his friends are going through not knowing what happened. My thoughts are with you all.

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hotrod4x5
Going on a week now, I'm afraid the outcome is very grim at this point. This is a good reminder to always keep other members of your hiking party in view. Sad.

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plawrence
Not to get too morbid, since people who know him might still be reading this thread, but I would think if he had accidentally gone off the cliff (or the falls itself) at the top, that his body would have been spotted pretty easily below the falls by now. My guess is that if he fell or slid off the trail, it was probably further down the trail away from the falls themselves.

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Ohnivy-Drak
If he did go into the river/creek, or scramble to the brink, you'd think someone would have seen him. There are usually lots of people sunbathing, getting water, or in the creek cooling off during that time of year. If he climbed over the rails at the Overlook, people would probably notice even if people mostly mind their own business. Overlook/Footbridge is a popular area, yet no one saw a thing. I guess it only takes a few seconds for something to happen.
A leader of a large group should assign partners.

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qumqats
He also could have headed east or west along the rim trail.

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hotrod4x5
Going on a week now, I'm afraid the outcome is very grim at this point. This is a good reminder to always keep other members of your hiking party in view. Sad.

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ERICG
Any updates on the missing person? I still can't understand where this guy went. In the photos, he doesn't look like someone who could even make it to the top of the falls let alone continue to hike away from the area.

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ryanmj
Hate to say it but he most likely wont be found until the water level goes down a bit

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ERICG
Now that the water level is down around Yosemite Falls, you would think if he did fall in/over the falls, he would have been found by now.

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yosemitenut
I'm hardly a forensics expert, but if the worst actually occurred, I would have thought some bone would have been found at the base of the falls or under a boulder.

Bone is fairly strong, and easier to spot against the darker boulders.

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healeygirl
I was wondering that also. I climbed to the top of the falls last week and thought about him.