Re: Search Underway for Missing Person

June 10, 2008
For Immediate Release

Yosemite National Park staff continues to search today for Esmin Garmendia-Barrios. Garmendia is described as 22 years old, a native Honduran, who is 5’8” tall. Mr. Garmendia speaks Spanish and broken English. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue t-shirt, and black shoes.

Approximately 100 searchers from Yosemite National Park and Mono, Tuolumne, Marin, Santa Clara, and Sierra Madre Counties, including dog teams and aerial spotters, are participating in the search. Anyone in the area ONLY of Sentinel Dome, Washburn Point, or Glacier Point after 2pm on 6/8/08 or on the Illilouette, Panorama, or Pohono Trails is asked to please call Yosemite National Park at 209/372-0311 whether they saw Mr. Garmendia or not. Any information, even from those who did not see him, will help park staff focus the search area. Media calls should be directed to Public Information Officer Adrienne Freeman at 209 372-0480.

(-NPS-)

Apparently he was in the area of Washburn Pt. and asked to be alone 30 minutes with his Bible:

SFGate article

Suicide? Beamed up to Heaven? Got lost? Or simply just slipped?

He probably thought he knew his way back and got lost. The problem is if he keeps walking. That could make it difficult for search and rescue to find him.



Post Edited (06-11-08 11:24)

Found the guy near Mount Starr King on Wednesday, spotted by helicopter around 2 p.m.

I wonder what his story is.

Yosemite News Release
June 11, 2008
For Immediate Release
Missing Visitor Found in Yosemite National Park

Esmin Garmendia-Barrios was found alive and responsive today, June 11, 2008, at approximately 2:15 pm. Mr. Garmendia was located by helicopter near Mt. Starr King inside the designated search area, south and east of Washburn Point where he was last seen on June 8.

Almost 200 searchers from Yosemite National Park, the California Conservation Corps (CCC), and Mono, Tuolumne, San Mateo, Marin, Santa Clara, Ventura, Fresno, Contra Costa, Santa Barbara and Sierra Madre Counties, as well as the Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit and China Lake Search and Rescue participated in the search Media calls should be directed to the Media Relations Office at 209/372-0248.

"Chief Ranger Steve Shackelton wishes to express his gratitude for the remarkably spirited outpouring of support shown during this week's successful search. Along with the huge number of park staff people who committed their time, park partners including the Yosemite Institute, DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite, Inc., and the CCC were invaluable as was the help of fourteen county and area search and rescue teams who responded from all over California to lend a hand-- including many who volunteered their time. This amazing cooperative effort made the success of the operation possible."

Ranger I talked to seemed to think that the guy was possible planning a suicide. The guy was surprised to find out that people were looking for him. I don't know... a guy is missing for several days with no gear and in the middle of nowhere...? Strange...

Probably a cultural misunderstanding. He probably was scared but thought by walking he'd come across a road or store, etc. He was sure by praying he would be rescued or find his way out. When he was rescued, he probably didn't know what they were saying since he doesn't speak English so they thought he wasn't surprised.



Post Edited (06-15-08 08:33)