A Puzzling Two-Person Disappearance At Craters Of The Moon
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- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
- This video covers the disappearance of Amy Linkert and Jo Elliott-Blakeslee in Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho.
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This channel has to be up there in the top 5% for missing people investigation the depth is exceptional
Top 5% for all channels IMHO.
He's better than a lot of the books I've read. Exhaustive and reaches out to law enforcement for their records. So many channels just copy and paste wiki and news articles. The quality is too notch
How do you calibrate that opinion? What nonsense.
Agreed
Agreed
Thanks for taking the time to actually visit the site. I think most people who read about this case can't imagine the terrain unless they're actually out walking it, so bravo sir!
Agree strongly with this. Things look deceptively easy on a top-down map--which has caused its own tragedies as well.
@@etaoinshrdlu927 I personally suspect that they had decided for some reason to go off-trail and just.... forgot where it was?
For me the name "Craters of the Moon" lends to the imagination a vista of a relatively smooth terrain? As for why go off trail we'll never know, but I'd suggest the #1 reason to answer the call of nature. Especially if they had a bit too much water/coffee/etc to drink earlier before the walk and with that terrain walking off trail with eyes forward (never looking back) its probable they'd imagine being visible for farther away then they were?
@@johnanon6938 I think that's the most likely reason for going off trail, and in a more open area anyone worried about privacy would have to go further off to find a tree. From experience that sort of rolling terrain can also look flatter and easier to traverse than it really is too.
@@marhawkman303 It's like he said: once you're not on the trail any more, you look back and just see a sea of unmarked brush with no indication where the (sunken) trail is. If they wandered a little, they probably got lost before they knew they were lost.
As a SEARCH & RESCUE mission pilot for 10 years, this case exposes the myth of many widely held beliefs by hikers and outdoors minded people.
The moment I saw your video of the location, I came to a very similar conclusion that you arrive at in the end of video.
It’s fairly obvious IMO what happened, at least with a fair amount of certainty. I’ve seen it over and over again in many lost/missing persons cases.
These ladies made an unwise choice to leave the trail. More than likely, to see something in particular they spotted while the trail. Distances are deceiving in wide open areas.
After venturing off trail to see what they had spotted close up, they became turned around not knowing the way back to the trail. The trail cannot be see from even a short distance away, because it’s cut down into the ground and rests below the level of the surrounding ground cover. Even a mere 100 feet away from trail, they had no idea which way to go. This happens frequently. In heavy forested areas, people become turned around and lost as close as 20 FEET off trail and never find it again! I’ve been in numerous cases where this happened.
And the great MYTH that people have, is that Search & Rescue will find you if you get lost. I can assure you even with the best equipment, the chances of being found quickly are next to NONE. The chances of being over over a number of days is better, but is STILL A LING SHOT. Sadly, people don’t understand this. And IMO I think it’s because when these things happen all we hear about is law enforcement patting themselves and us Search & Rescue pilots and found folks on the back saying how great we did, and how large an effort it was, and how well all the teams cooperated with each other. That’s the standard press release.
But being a S&R pilot for 10 years I can assure you that we don’t have that false confidence that is portrayed to the public by law enforcement agencies. The fact is, if you get lost the chances we’re gonna find you in time is slim. Therefore, YOU must prepare yourself. YOU must bring and carry what YOU need, just in case. YOU must exercise common sense and do NOT go off trail, unless you’re fit and equipped to spend a week or more out there all alone. Because IF we find you at all, it will likely take 5 or 6 days AT BEST. And that’s IF we find you at all. And that’s a very big IF.
PLEASE be prepared. Carry the essentials. Don’t take ANY chances. And PLEASE use common sense.
Damn thats an essay
It amazes me how many people on the internet are so quick to jump to something being criminal or paranormal when someone goes missing in the wilderness. I’ve spent a lot of time deep in the woods and recently just got lost in an area I’ve spent a lot of time in. Was following a dry creek bed down to a cabin next to a dirt road. Ended up not being able to find at all even though I had done that hike a few times, once just as recently as a few days prior. Thankfully it’s a shallow valley and I knew that if I just followed the dry creek down to the river I could downstream and find the road I’m looking for. It started getting dark so I knew that was the best bet instead of spending more time and and getting more lost trying to find the cabin. I redid the hike the next day to find out where I got lost. There’s a big field next to that cabin. I had looked right at that field no more than 20 yards from me and from where I was in the trees I thought to myself that was way too small of a field to be the one right next to the cabin, but that was in fact that field. Just something small like that and now you’re walking further and further away from where you’re supposed to be, deeper and deeper into the forest thinking you’re heading the right way now… scary stuff
@@dickwellington8578absolutely dude, one look the wrong way at the wrong time and suddenly your screwed. Knowing what to do saved ur ass and a lot of people don’t know what to do because everything is peachy keen and they don’t pay attention.
I would encourage anyone who goes hiking, anyone at all, DON'T!! Especially if you're a senior citizen with a limp. For God's sake, there are soooo many other things you can do.
And why would anyone volunteer to look for those who made such incredibly irrational choices? Don't they have anything better to do with their limited time in this life? And why aren't taxpayers protesting when their money is getting used in such senseless endeavour? Isn't there any more important activity where the money gets used well? Who even decides that funds be allocated to such meaningless operations?!! It's all just beyond me 😠
@@HellaKwik All gonna be geriatrics one day......
This video probably took 6-7 months to make
And he actually went there and give more context about the place
This channel deserves bigger audience and more views 💜💜💜
I agree 💯♥️👊
Good footage, too. I wouldn't have known that they'd lost any of it if he didn't mention it.
i got lost pretty good this year during deer hunting season in state gamelands. i kept thinking to myself you do not want to end up in a video from The Missing Enigma. Took 4 hours but I found my bearings.
Could you share any lessons learned for us or something you wish you had taken or done otherwise? Thanks!
@@jayhache5609 I would recommend learning to use a lensatic compass and basic land navigation skills. As portrayed in this video anytime you can't see the trail it's very easy to become lost once you lose sight of the trail and lose your sense of direction. There are many instructional videos on CZcams covering this topic. Best tip when hiking off trail is to continuously turn around and look behind you to identify landmarks along the way to remember your way back. If you don't do this along the way your trip back will be unrecognizable and you might question yourself as to whether or not your going the right direction.
@@jayhache5609 a couple of things. first off, a compass is worth it's weight in gold. i didn't have one at the time and now i have one on a lanyard clipped to my day pack. i usually relied on the sun but a dense fog bank rolled in on the mountain i was hunting on. secondly, make note of the terrain you traverse from where you park to where you end up. i live in pennsylvania so it's very hilly, but knowing whether you have to go uphill or downhill to get back to where you started is invaluable.
@@poopmcgee3826 thanks
Glad you found your way home!
If you have loved ones who like to hike, get them a personal locator beacon for their birthday or because you care about them and want them to be safe out in those woods. If a trail seems to end and you’re not sure which direction it resumes….turn around and go back…..just go back.
All great advice! I would add to highly stress to hiker friends and family to 1) always let others know where they will be and 2) when they plan on returning, even 3) informing someone when they do return. So, if there is no end-of-mission (hiking trip) confirmation, then the search can begin all the sooner. t. former military CSAR professional.
This is the best advice, period.
@@dtaylor10chuckufarle Yes, every hiker and outdoorsman should have a PLB (and know when to turn around!), but PLB’s can be dropped, lost, misplaced, or have dead batteries (seen all those), whereas letting others know your whereabouts, return time and confirmed return adds important links to the “chain of custody” of the individual(s), if you will. Cheers from VA!
@@jayhache5609 Very true sir! Cheers from fly-over country!
The fact you go out and show us the terrain where people have gone missing helps to show how it could have happened a lot better than simply using a marker on a map. Looking at that park it's easy to see how they could have wandered off trail, panicked and how it all ended in tragedy
When I was a kid, we'd go camping, hiking, and I never thought of this stuff.
Until one day, as we were all leaving. It was a large group of us, as I was heading down the side of the mountain/hill, the ground gave way beneath me. If it wasn't for my dad holding my hand, I'd have fallen in. Who knows how deep or if anyone else would've noticed. It was big enough to fit a grown person and it just collapsed in.
I've also seen several videos on CZcams, of hikers who stumble upon caverns and holes and all sorts of cavernous places.
I often wonder, if some people just stumble upon them and disappear or just fall in, to never be found.
We have sand dunes over ancient forest, occasionally someone will step on top of a cavity and fall in, getting buried up to a point on their body. Someone who was not aware of this hazard could get buried and never be heard from again.
I live in NH and hike in the winter. When you are walking on 4 or 5 feet of powder snow, sometimes even with snowshoes, you posthole right through it. If there is a small cave or or sharp granite underneath you are screwed. I've gotten cut before. I've seen friends almost plunge into a cave.
WOW I never heard of that- that is so scary- good thing your dad saved you!
Well that,s indeed possible.Around here in the Texas Hill Country, there are limestone caves all over the place.Natural Bridge Caverns, Wonder Cave, Cave Without A Name and Bracken Bat Cave.This last is home to millions of Mexican Free Tail Bats.You can go there and see the bats flying out at night to feed.However, only biologists are actually allowed in the cave.
If there’s one thing I’m learning, it’s that the majority of missing people end up being found far beyond the initial search area. We must be far more capable than we thought when faced with life and death situations. You do such an incredible job making these videos. In my opinion, far better than anyone else out here on yt. The amount of research you do is amazing.
Exactly!!!!! I noticed that too, you’d think searchers would know that!!!
Keep in mind, we only hear about the unusual missing persons cases. Most people who go missing ARE found in the search radius, but those stories don't get much attention. But when people are found way outside of the search areas, those stories get a lot of attention. It creates a feedback loop where we only hear about the unusual cases and then think they're typical.
@@danharp7273es, it’s similar to confirmation bias. If you go looking for cases of strange disappearances, you will find them, and not realize the thousands of routine normal searches that happen all the time .
@@lornadryden5650
Exactly hahaha. Its actually the very few cases that can only be explained by something not human being involved. Oh i Wonder why all those people aren't alive to explain there super ability. Of getting taken🤡
Charlie B your not learning your assuming from the few missing 411 cases. You people have no clue where you (livevil) clue for you farmZoo.
When hiking anywhere it's a very GOOD idea to turn around frequently and look at your backtrail so that you can recognize the scenery upon your return journey. With a cellphone you can even take images of it.
I have been on so many searches where we got screwed because SO insisted on sticking to expected parameters like "person this age is expected to travel no more than 1.5 miles" etc. The lack of vegetation will hinder dogs on lava beds because it does not hold scent as well with rocks not being moist in addition if sun hits the lava heat rises as does the scent for our dogs. I was on a search in the lava beds of Skamania County Washington, guy went missing hiking right behind his hiking partner, we never found him, it was like the Earth swallowed him.
He went up. That's why the dogs can't track
😊
@@jokesonyou1373 need to start training eagles
An old guy went missing, not far away from me. A police search failed to find him. His neighbour found him two days later after the neighbours dog was barking at night. He was a few hundred yards from home in the bush.
Never saw a single marker on the trail in your video, even though you said there were markers there.
I worked with Jo. She grew up in the area and had hiked in Craters many times. It troubled me for some time - then I was told by one of the searchers who himself knew the area well - including weather patterns. His well thought out estimation was that by the time the ladies had reached the end of the trail a heavy rain was falling, and they did in fact get disoriented because they probably couldn't see more than a foot or two in front of them, but could hear traffic, and headed that direction. Once Amy couldn't go on, I am not surprised at all that Jo made it so close to the road - that is who she was.
I like this channel because dude knows that nature is scary enough w/o making up stories about bigfoot or aliens. It is criminally underrated. Be sure to sub, people.
To me this feels like a great example of what panic can do. Two adults, in broad daylight, shouldn't have found themselves in a life and death situation just because they lost the trail. Calling them "novices" sounds correct to me, because they didn't seem to have even basic situational awareness. Even a rudimentary understanding of what to do in an emergency would have saved them. But it sounds like Amy and Jo simply began to panic, and continued to double down on their bad decisions until it was too late.
Relatives of folks like this who go missing always want to convince you that they were like Delta Force Commandos and could never get lost, but I doubt it's usually true.
But they didn't even have a compass. Trying to find a trail without a map and a compass would be very difficult. Situational awareness doesn't work when you are placed in a situation without any references or landmarks.
@@lonebeagle The lack of a compass is itself an example of a lack of situational awareness. If you're going out into the wilderness, it's important to have some basic tools and awareness of what can happen. They treated this like it was a half mile walk at a city park. But if we're talking just about their actions once they got off trail, even without a compass there are basic techniques every hiker should be aware of. The 1st rule if you find yourself hopelessly turned around is to STAY PUT. You don't need a compass for that. Just stop walking. Stop doubling down. Stop thinking that the road you see in the distance is only 15 minutes away. Stop walking. Sit down and wait. Not for 5 minutes, not for 10 minutes, stay put for hours.
@@danharp7273 I was thinking about this situation that these two senior women found themselves. If they had wandered off the trail and couldn't find it, since there were two of them they could have done this: One person stays put and the other person walks in a straight line away without ever losing sight of the stationary person. If no trail is found, the walker returns. Then try again at 90 degrees, etc. If they only wondered 100 feet off the trail, they should be able to find it quickly. If not, stay put.
I read about a solo backpacking woman that got lost along the Appalachian Trail. She left the trail to relieve herself and she couldn't find it again. She tried to find her way back and couldn't--so she just made camp and waited. It took a long time before anyone noticed her overdue and nobody knew exactly where to search. The woman had food and water, but ran out of food. She ended up starving to death. Some time later someone stumbled on her body and they found out what happened from her diary. In her case since she was lost in a dense forest, her best hope would have been a PLB. Moral of the story, don't leave the trail especially if you're by yourself.
@@lonebeagleI know that story...when they finally found here, she'd only been a mile off the trail, but that was enough.
I've lived near the Idaho Oregon border most of my life and followed this story in real time. It is incredibly easy to lose your way looking at and interesting formation or bit of wild life. I only hope that their suffering was minimal and the families coping well.
I can't stress this enough: leave an itinerary with a friend or loved ones, including a map of your intended route. If you can, leave a list of clothing that you're wearing and gear that you're carrying. Bring more water than you think that you'll need and at least an extra sweater. Bring your phone. Take time to check your position on a map and to assess your well-being.
Be safe, friends.
This sounds sensible, but most people going out with another person for a mile walk aren’t going to go through that effort
@@samim.5446yeah, the real takeaway is STAY ON THE TRAIL, not just for your sake, but for the sake of the natural surroundings.
Tall Poles with reflective paint every mile or so would be good. Sunset and sunrise would give you a direction to head in.
Hi, professional long distance hiker here. Bring pink contractors tape with you. If you get lost, orient yourself to the sun then tie pink tape to trees in a straight line and walk straight in one direction. If you can't find your way out, go back and take another cardinal direction and repeat but with two straps to mark that it's your second cardinal direction, if you don't find your way out, repeat until you do.
Or just learn to use a compass.....
a paper map and a compass weigh less than a roll of contractor's tape - will get you out faster, and with less trash left behind in nature. but definitely necessary to know how to use them!
Also "orient yourself to the sun" doesn't work half the time due to cloud cover, fog, dense tree canopies, or nighttime. compass will work any time of day!
Some years ago, my BFF and I were at a small volcanic cone you could walk up (approx 500m).
It was about 330PM, and we were discussing if we should hike up, or just enjoy the view and head home. In the end, we decided it wasn't an optimal time to do the hike. Hot, later in the day, not many people around...... we talked about those programs where people have said "I'm just going to do one more ski run before I pack in" and then disappear, get lost, or get hurt and can't get back.
When I watch this, I think we made the right decision.
Never, ever leave the trail. Always take a fully charged cell phone, water, a high calorie snack, and a small first aid kit with you on a walk/hike. Don’t forget to dress in layers, tie a jacket around your waist. Always inform someone of where you’re going/at for the day, the trail you plan to walk/hike, and when you plan to return. Never deviate from the planned hike. You can always come back another time for additional adventures.
They need to post signs like that at all these outdoor parks and trails and have a big red warning for the ones where people have died. Mostly only common sense and with today's technology, no one should ever be lost; can't blame the searchers for "failing".
10 essentials. It's not hard... But can be highly consequential. I've been locked out of a lodge where I was staying overnight, and having just those couple of pounds in my backpack left me to pass a comfortable night in marginal weather. (I could've broken in if I needed to, but I didn't- so didn't have to damage a friends property).
A compass is also a useful tool.
Personal locator beam
@@johndonahue3509 Alway an option when stuck on the moon, beam me up Scotty!
Since listening to your videos I've become aware how easy it is to become disoriented and get lost. I do alot of walking alone in the wilderness near Young, AZ. I now have a Spot satellite rescue gps and will pay more attention.
Great, well researched videos. I always jump on one as soon as you post
Young, AZ. Cool area. I used to enjoy the restaurant there. Antlers. Heard it closed. Take care
If you can please also carry a firearm and know (practice) how to use it.
@@TheTrevelyansway It burned to the ground and then Pam bought it. I am sure that you know all of this. It closed again, but recently opened with a new couple giving it a try. We need it, as you know. Some R&R for Gila County residents...
Yet another fantastic video. you go beyond simply talking about these cases for your videos. This is forensic level investigation. A true step above the rest.
How many others do you take in?
@@BlueBeeThemeMusic quite a few. They are all a little different but revolve around the same topics.
I cannot express how much I appreciate the fact that this channel seeks to verify information with original investigative sources. While taking personal trips to the actual locations is a definite bonus and well worth the footage and context, the fact that so much effort is taken to ensure accuracy make this channel top-notch for mystery investigation and commentary.
You are the best youtuber to present missing persons! The work, detail, due diligence, and respect is unequaled, thank you!
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I really wish people would realize their physical limitations! I used to be a super active athletic man, but the moment I turned 45, I noticed significant decreases in my stamina and strength. I constantly have to remind myself that I'm not that 21 year old man anymore!
I visited this park in my youth, and the best part is the otherworldly experience of the sights. What I found to be so dangerous were the remnants of lava tubes. One time, I fell into a collapsed tube that was fortunately only a meter deep. If it was a bigger tube, I would've gotten so hurt as to not get out. At that time, the park did not have any warning signs about possible lava tube collapses. I sure hope they have those warning signs now! Those lava tubes are a death sentence!
I 100% agree with recognizing physical limitations! Like you, 45 is about the time I had to acknowledge I wasn't a perfectly healthy young guy anymore and had to learn to pace myself properly when going on hikes. I can still do moderately strenuous ones no problem, but the preparation and pacing is definitely quite different these days.
@@johnchedsey1306 Just a few years ago, I could easily hike 12 miles in rough terrain in one day! Now, 4-6 miles in rough terrain in one day is my limit!
Also, I used to easily sleep in the forest without tent and sleeping bag and with only a fire. Now if I did that, I would easily catch a cold.
I am always extra careful nowadays because one injury will be the end of my activities. This usually happens to others guys in my age group.
Take care, sir, and hike safe!
People in their 60s to 80s would find themselves exhausted even on a short day hike.
You: "Because of all my unanswered questions, I knew this was a place I needed to visit"
Us: "Awesome!"
And this is one reason why you're the best channel for missing people/investigations ! Thanks dude!
Please do not stop making these videos. You are doing something great, bringing awareness to those who watch your videos, as well as keeping those who have been lost alive to the public. Keep it up man.
I love that you'll go out to some of these places instead of sitting at your desk talking with authority.
With an over saturation of these types of videos on CZcams, you manage to make a mark for yourself as one of the best with something different to offer than just regurgitating a story.
Thank you for posting 👍
I lived my first 4 years of life and have family in a small little town 30-45 minutes away from Idaho Falls. We'd ride 4 wheelers up at craters of the moon when we'd visit. The old mines out there are really cool. We found some crystal one time and took a few pieces. Kinda crazy I never heard this story before. Thanks for the awesome content!!!
Those aren't mines out there. Those are lava tubes that are left over from the Yellowstone hotspot crossing southern idaho. Thousands of lesser known caves are littered around the Shoshone area and I think you can find those same hot spot lava tube remnants all the way to Yellowstone.
@@johnburbridge8757 I must have merged memories between two different trips because we definitely found crystal in an abandoned mine (I was 6-8 years old). I do remember finding a huge 6"x6" chunk of obsidian while we were out there though. I lost it somehow, but I still have a few small pieces and a half completed arrowhead. It was one of the most interesting landscapes I've ever seen. I'll have to go back someday.
@@ryanfrank1309 no doubt, ive also found a lot of mines around Idaho. There might be some near craters of the moon too, but I've mostly explored old lava tubes in southern idaho.
But that Yellowstone hot spot passed from Oregon to Wyoming across southern Idaho. You might have some amazing lava tubes over there in Idaho Falls
Yes, you must have merged memories because 4- wheelers and all off road vehicles are strictly prohibited from the monument and all NPS sites with the exception of a few recreational areas. Like the narrator said too, not even dogs are allowed on trails or the back country. I've been to Craters of the Moon, it's vast, desolate and rugged terrain . The monument got its name because of its moon like landscape. Lava tubes are common, but no mines.
@@patricktompkins1103 it was Big Southern Butte right next to Craters of the Moon.
Wow the terrain is so sharp! Very cool to get the on scene reporting. Easy to comment on stuff from the comfort of home. On scene view then things make a lot more sense.
That landscape is so similar to some parts of Iceland but greener. Walking long distances in that kind of rugged lava rock formations without heavy duty hiking boots is inimaginable. Excellent video as always.
I am so impressed by your thoroughness and dedication. It was really illustrative to get footage of the actual location and generally nice to look at. I agree with you that it makes it much clearer how someone could get so hopelessly lost even without traveling so far, but also it made it clear why someone would make the trip in the first place. Thank you so much for your hard work telling Jo and Amy's story.
What is odd is they left their purses and cell phones in the truck. In what..2013? I read people still do that but both of them? Having hiked a bit in somewhat remote areas, it occurs to me one or both went off trail to take a pee. They would have gone far enough to not be visible from potential other hikers or view point. And could not find the trail after that. Enjoy your work a lot! I did sign up for your patreon. Also as always, your art is a great part of your videos.
Maybe that's something that people in that area do, but to me it's inconceivable to leave either one in the car.
And the dogs, people generally enjoy hiking with their dogs, and I think pretty much everyone knows nowadays about the risks of leaving a pet in a car.
I live not too far from this National Monument and have been there many times; and this explanation makes sense. Firstly, their career choices indicate both women were intelligent and possibly curious people who might be interested in finding tree molds. Additionally, while the surface is very rugged, the overall topography is flat. One could easily lose sight of the trail as it would be hidden by the rocks and brush around it. But semi-trucks on the highway would stick up above the landscape- and things out here often appear closer than they actually are, and sound carries further. They might have thought that highway was closer than it actually was.
The poor dogs too. Heartbreaking. So glad the dogs were found alive in the car.
I do a lot of hunting on a wooded property. I can’t get lost but I sometimes are not 100% sure of where I am at. I get a little anxious until I recognize where I am at. It can get really scary if you truly are lost somewhere you are not familiar with. There is a frightening need to keep moving to find your way out. I think this might be the reason so many lost hikers are found way beyond where the rescuers are looking.
This story is so sad. Dr. Elliott-Blakeslee sounds like a wonderful person. They both have kind eyes.
Really glad to see this case covered, always seemed one of the most baffling. The footage was extremely helpful and does suggest the only logical explanation was something lured them off trail. Not an obviously risky thing to do until you actually do it. I think you've helped clear up the mystery. Great work.
They had to pee.
you might be interested in a recent report - DogMan & Paranormal Research 20Aug24 Jeff reads a report from a Creaters of the Moon Park Ranger stationed there from 72-92.
@@glory5918 Thanks, will check that out
Good job buddy!! Always sad when people go missing and found deceased
I live in Boise and have been to Craters of the Moon a couple of times; it is rough, rough country. I was mystified that the searchers even bothered to bring in canine teams since the territory is so unsuitable for them. Probably just an SOP, and I suspect that the presence of search dogs tends to reassure searchers & families.
Very intelligent analysis of the situation. Pretty often I see this "unexplained" disappearances get talked bout with theories abound. However if you actually go to the location you suddenly have a complete understanding of how someone could get lost.
It really helps to be on location when investigating these cases. Even when using words such as 'rugged' and 'unforgiving' it may mean something different for each person. Thank you so much for recording it, even if half of the footage was unusable I got a pretty good idea of the area because of your efforts.
Never knew about this area until I was riding freight across the country and just happened upon it. Can't really describe it without seeing it in person, crazy area
My theory is they both walked off trail to use the bathroom, then turned around and couldn't see the actual trail. Everything blended in and they both got disoriented that way. Its always wise to use a stick or whatever and point it back to where you walked from because something simple as a bathroom break can easily get you lost. I think it was the same scenario for hiker Geraldine Largay too. Sad story.
More important than a map, gps, plb, radio, cell phone is tell people where you are going and when to expect you to check back in! If the search had started that evening or the next morning, they may have still been alive and found! I love it when you go to these locations so we can get an idea of how rugged and desolate some of these areas are.
Came here to post this. I didn’t quite catch it in the video. Surprised he didn’t, as great this and all his videos are. t. former miliary CSAR professional.
I’ve been to Craters of the Moon maybe three times? Most of The trails (as shown by his footage) are clearly dileneated because it is a smooth maintained path bordered by jagged rocks. There are some lava tube caves with big jagged boulders and loose rock that I could imagine someone getting hurt inside exploring. But it is bizarre to me that these two ladies would have gotten lost on The Tree Mold trial.
There's a clear delineation between the trail area with the plant growth, and the lava field with none. And there's always the cone of the hill that tells you where you are in relation to it.
Hard to understand, but some people indeed have no sense of direction at all. My wife astonishes me from time to time by heading off in the wrong direction or not knowing where we are, whereas to me it's utterly obvious.
Great channel and great Reporting. This woman was a Doctor and calculates risk everyday. Hard to believe she went far enough off trail, to lose the trail, which you could simply mark by dropped items or sight landmarks. Plus, would love to know the distances they traveled off trail and how someone fit like you could do on that rock surface and how far you could make it in an hour or so. I don’t think these women could have made it as far as the bodies showed up, even if ther lives were on the line. Be curious the state of their shoes, if they showed severe rock wear and tear, or were pristine. Great show. Best chance to solve these mysteries is shows like this and open discussion
One thing I learned when hiking is to be Aware of Landmarks that are aligned with North South East West and carry a compass.
In bad weather you can't navigate by the Sun or stars so having a compass or your phones GPS is crucial.
Also stopping and looking back every 50 steps to where you just came from so that you will recognize the sights on the way back to camp.
A Viet Nam vet told me about that tactic which he was trained to do every 10 steps to avoid getting lost or being killed from a sneak attack.
You're on a roll, man! Loving it.
Ditto!
This channel is absolutely one of the best missing persons based channels. Thanks for the work you do.
Hikers, among others, should have a GPS on their person at all times without exception. It's hard to say what happened to the women otherwise. Overconfidence and lack of preparation have been the downfall of more than a few people. Thanks for another excellent feature!
If you really want to be careful, a satellite phone too. Even for a day hike. If you combine the sat phone and a gps, you can always reach help and give your precise location.
So take an activity that anyone can afford and make it unaffordable
You see, Most people have the fortitude and the skills to not need daddy govt to hold our hands when leaving home
@@norml.hugh-mann Good luck out there buddy. I'm sure you will be fine.
Norm will surely be better off than you based upon mindset.
@@Torrque I'm sure the two of you will make a lovely couple out there.
I wish he uploaded videos more often because he's by far the best channel on CZcams. I would love more videos but I also understand the amount of time m, energy and effort he puts into every video. Absolutely amazing content!!! Keep it up!!!
I lived near Boise when this happened and remember it - very sad. I still live in SE Idaho and have been thru this park as well. It has it’s own form of beauty, but to me it was a creepy place - didn’t have good vibes - for me anyway. Your artwork, presentation and footage - and especially when you are able to go to the location is outstanding! Thank you for another great video!
I’ve heard this too about this park. Dark vibe. Hard to imagine these ladies made it that far across ‘the glass’. Or that they would leave trail, especially as dog lovers, an their critters were in the truck.
Love the on location videos.
If we had a nickel for everytime we hear "we can't believe they made it that far" even with children.
As you said, the human will to push through is incredible
Thank you for your excellent content. I'm so impressed when you walk the paths of the deceased, you are so respectful and yet concise. May I say ... Craters of the Moon is an extremely beautiful part of the world, as you saw. It's terrain is also extremely brutal if one ventures off trail. Razor sharp volcanic rock as far as the eye can see, extreme heat in summer, caves galore. This is an area deserving of deep respect. The signage is direct ... do NOT leave trails. While these warnings are issued in order to "protect the delicate environment," they actually are protecting humans from this harsh and unforgiving environment. I'm so sorry for these ladies, this was a terrible thing. My condolences to families and friends.
Tfsharing.
Never heard their story.
I liked that you were able to go to the park and film. So sad for these ladies.
RIP🦋
AMY & JO
I commend you for trying to make sense of this tragedy and showing us viewers what it must have been like for the women being on that trail.
its baffling that 2 people can walk such a short distance and die of exposure.
Those lava fields are no joke. I surveyed similar terrain in Northern California a few summers back and wore out a dedicated pair of heavier hiking boots in the span of two weeks. It's slow moving with any misstep meaning either a twisted ankle or a skinned leg. On top of that, the undulating terrain has the effect of disorienting and makes it easy to misjudge distances.
The distance their bodies were found might not be exactly how far they walked. You could be walking in circles and never know.
No it's not. They were elderly, with no water, it gets to freezing at night. Horrible way to go.
And one was a doctor!
Thanks for mentioning the first responders critiquing themselves. Many people don’t realize police and other agencies do this regularly and tend to blame the agencies for not doing enough. Sad story for sure. I’m glad the dogs were rescued.
Always STOKED when a new missing enigma vid pops up on my feed!
I believe Amy tripped and fell, unable to keep going.. and then Jo went to go get help and got disoriented under the stress of the situation. Interesting case.. and great video! Really cool you got to visit..provides some more perspective, thank you!!
Search dogs in that terrain is rough, I’m surprised they were able to get the hits they did. When I went to Fossil Falls in California I put boots on my dogs and they were shredded in no time, we didn’t stay long because I didn’t want their feet shredded too.
I watched like 6 or 8 of your videos last night and decided I'm never going outside again, thanks!
Love the live footage. Puts viewers so much deeper jnto the story and adds incredible context.
I would love to see this channel visit many more places and walk the trails hopefully this channel can get the funding and support it needs for that style. I know it would be very expensive to be traveling all the time
The best way to help him achieve that goal is to subscribe and like the video. Share it with friends so that he gains more and more subs and makes that money thru utube.
That absolute best production of missing hikers & sound rationale. And on sight footage!!!! Keep up the great work!
Invest in a personal locater beacon and carry it with you no matter the length of the hike. It truly is a matter of life or death. These perplexing and tragic stories needn't happen. RIP, Amy and Jo.
Thank you for a sensitive telling of this case. These documentaries are so fascinating. Also, I enjoyed the knotty pine back drop in one scene. Brought me back to my childhood!
Always good to download a maps app for your phone I use one for iOS that is free and works without cell signal. You can see your recent steps and the compass works, too. It's awesome, and I've used it many times in the backcountry. Also goes without saying: tell people where you're going and when you'll be back if they'd have started searching for them when they were overdue by two hours, it probably would have been a far better outcome. RIP.
Imagine what it must feel like, at the moment of being lost and trying to make your way to salvation. When they realized they couldn’t make it to the highway, they could probably see and hear cars going down, and just having to resign yourself to sitting down and dying where you are at.
Great episode. It’s hard to convey what happens to the mind when you turn around in the wilderness & you immediately lose your orientation, even just for a moment. I’ve done it a few times in low-risk areas. The mind shuts down & panics because the orienting reflex is impaired in a general way. You’re in a house of mirrors. Getting control over that is essential to finding where you are. If you don’t know the cardinal directions outdoors, learn that. If you do, please find ways to teach it to others. TY for another great video. PS I really like the soundtrack you chose for this trail footage. You could do great trail videos for relaxation.
The art work on this channel is fantastic. I wish I was artistically gifted/talented/inclined. But sadly I’m not. 😢
Also, I’m glad the dogs were ok. Hopefully a family member or friend was able to adopt them and care for them.
Edit: 12:20 😍😍 🥰🥰
Anyone can use computer generated cartoons, you can too!
Why don’t you learn then ?
@@catsymurphyandrews1769 haha right? People out here thinking this guy is spending hours with a sketchbook and a set of charcoal 🤦♀️
He’s been doing the drawings for years beforehand. Back when he started AI wouldn’t have even been able to create a solid smiley face lol. Some ppl are just good at drawing.
I live near the craters of the moon and it is definitely recommended to not go off trail. There has been a lot of cases where people go missing. It is super dangerous if you do so. The terrain is very rough to say the least!
I'm glad you posted this despite losing your footage. As a child, I became lost once in the wilderness and it took a sheriff helicopter to find me. It's sad that these two women weren't as fortunate. I am curious though - maybe this is an idea for a future video - about how successful search and rescue is at finding missing people. The missing people on this channel always seem to end up in places they never think they could reach. Maybe this is just that these are the most interesting cases so you delve into them. But it might also be interesting to understand how good search and rescue generally is
I visited Craters of the Moon just a few months after this happened, in May, 2014. Lave flows like this are extremely rugged and unforgiving. What a tragedy that these two ladies decided to do a bit of off-trail exploration in such a potentially deadly landscape.
If one doesn't respect just how easy it is for things to go south and for people to become lost, this channel certainly helps change your mind. Very sad story!
I was there in 2021, it is one of the most rugged terrains I've ever seen. I don't understand how they would have gone off the trail. The rocks around the trails are just so sharp, jagged. It would be easy to break an ankle traversing them.
Oh, and there are so many bees there, it's insane. We tried having a picnic, but had to pack up due to the nuisance.
Edit: it really looks like the moon in many places there. Btw
You are the best on CZcams at collecting and communicating this information
I would have to say your videos are the best on missing people. I really like that you go on site in some. The drawings are a nice touch too.
Interesting case. The landscape is exactly how most of the land is down from the mountains here in Hawaii on the big island. It is very easy to lose your way, and very treacherous. Although here in Hawaii you have ridiculously high and humid heat, which wipes you out literally in minutes.
The broken “a’a” lava as it’s called here is like broken glass. Yet you can see wild goats running across it at full speed, quite a sight.
I lived near Craters of the Moon for a bit and you can definitely get lost and hurt. The landscape is unforgivingly rough. Bring lots of water and a first aid kit
thank you so much for going to the trail. no other missing person channels show this
When hiking NEVER leave the trail. That is one of the most important rules to follow.
The video was more than adequate. What a professional, thorough, thoughtful job you do! Thanks.
Severely underrated channel. Interesting cases, thorough research, top shelf presentation. Love the channel. I got a fever, and the only cure is more Missing Enigma! Thanks fren.
I was never much for missing person/unsolved mystery stuff until I found your channel late last summer. One is all it took and now I always look forward to new videos.
I love craters of the moon - I went twice as a kid and once again as an adult, and the landscape is just so unlike anywhere else I have been. Especially in comparison to the lush tangle of jungle that is coastal BC where I grew up. unfortunate that these women got into trouble there.
Older people need to able to have the inner reflection and honesty to more accurately understand their limitations. There are so, so many older people who succumb to the wild during hikes. It is NOT uncommon. Admitting you're too old to hike like you use to is not weakness, it's intelligence.
Absolutely going all out for your viewers and to get to the bottom of these mysteries for the loved ones involved by visiting the site. Any SAR team would be lucky to have such an intelligent, articulate and caring member! Great video!
You really have such great content. Even if you lost a little footage, you sure pulled together a documentary that rivals anything on Broadcast Tv. I look forward to the new episodes of TME.
Please put this in every pack you carry, on every single hike:
• Emergency blanket
• Headlamp
• Firestarter
• Extra water
• Warm jacket (puffy, thick fleece, etc.)
• First aid kit
These are all fairly small items, easy to carry, part of the "10 essentials", and could save your life. I place far less emphasis on a cell phone (many places have zero coverage) GPS (better, but batteries could die), even map & compass, as you need to know how to use them. It's my belief that experience, specifically in orienteering and directional awareness are paramount in this regard. Carrying a PLB such as a Garmin Inreach is never a bad idea either.
I'm not saying these women would be alive today if they took my "six essentials". I'm just hoping someone reads this, sees the logic in what I am writing from my 40+ years in the great outdoors plus working in the outdoor industry, and takes heed.
I tend to keep my six items, plus several more, in a small duffel bag in my home. I then put what I need from that duffel into my daypack/backpack depending on my planned trip. I may need water purification, decide to take a map, take my rain jacket/poncho, etc. also. But the above six items I take every single time, every single hike.
Excellent video, btw. Extremely well done!
I've been to prison. The same one that gal worked at. Maybe she ran into a familiar face...one that wanted to hurt her because they finally got the chance to. I've ran into several prison guards in regular life...a couple actually asked me if they were asshats to me. They might have been chased off trail by an ex con. No lady is going to leave their puppies.
Interesting take. Something pushed them way off trail and out of security. Agree with the dog take for sure. I’ve had prison guards tell me that when they run into released prisoners outside, they still call them ‘big bossman’ or ‘captain’ or some form of respect name, he said it was strange the first few times, but always happens. Other guards told me the same. A conditioning thing for some I guess.
Still the best channel covering things like this
This is the best missing persons video I have seen on CZcams! Well done!
Lettttttsssssss gooooo!! Thank you so much
Great coverage and analysis of the case. You know it's quite disheartening to actually be "on scene" and end up with even more questions than you had before. 1) Why did they separate in the first place? 2) What was the cause of their disorientation? 3) Did they panic or suffer a mental episode? 4) Where they lured off track by someone/something? 5) Were they in a state of malnutrition when found? (A key point not always referred to). 6) What was the actual cause of death?, a stroke?, heart failure? With each case, everything seems to be always one step ahead of every possible solution, it's really insane.. Kudos for the quality content and commitment to your channel and audience👍
The sulfur fumes from the lava or they got in an argument and got lost and they met their well you know
@@GODCONVOYPRIME There are no sulfur fumes from this lava or the cinder cones. Even the most recent of these flows is thousands of years old. They probably just stepped off the trail to check out some tree molds or an interesting rock formation, or even just to take a pee, and couldn't find their way back to the trail.
One of your best. Taking the viewer there provides valuable context and I for one appreciate it
Quality over quantity. An approach that is appreciated me and many others. I truly believe your massive influx of followers is coming sooner than later. Nice work dude👏
Coming from a fellow Oregonian!
Excellent video. As Gandalf said " ..Don't leave the path, for you'll never find again if you do.."
This is your best video IMO. Ive watched it a few times. I just watched it again with my son to teach him how the seemingly inexplicable can seem more understandable when you have the right information.