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Missing California Hiker Found Dead at Base of Waterfall
SFGate ^ | March 22, 2024 | Andrew Chamings

Posted on 03/22/2024 10:44:45 PM PDT by nickcarraway

Missing hiker Caroline Meister, 30, has been found dead, authorities confirmed Friday afternoon. Meister’s body was found by a search and rescue crew at the bottom of a waterfall in a steep ravine on Friday morning at about 10:45 a.m. Foul play is not suspected. The coroner has yet to confirm the cause of death, but the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said her injuries were consistent with a fall from height.

Meister had been missing after embarking on a hike from the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center since Monday, March 18. Meister had lived and worked at the Zen center on a remote road in Carmel Valley for about 18 months, authorities said.

“We are all deeply saddened and in shock. The sanghas at Tassajara, Green Gulch Farm, and City Center are gathering to support each other in the wake of this distressing news,” the San Francisco Zen Center said in an emailed statement.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Local News; Outdoors; Sports
KEYWORDS: california; hiker
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To: nickcarraway

Wife and I hiked up to Hickory Falls at Chimney Rock in N.Carolina. A guy had his hat blow off and it sailed down to the rocks near the falls, landed about 100 feet down. The guy went down the rocks and got the hat. The rocks were wet and slippery near where the hat landed. There was still a long drop from where the hat was. There were maybe 20 people watching the guy and everyone was holding their breath.

It was a very nice hat, probably $200 at least, but no way I would have gone down those rocks.


21 posted on 03/23/2024 12:08:52 AM PDT by Roadrunner383 (m)
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To: Jonty30

A $100 Garmin gps will keep you on trail. It doesn’t need a cell tower. Might save your life.


22 posted on 03/23/2024 12:28:21 AM PDT by Equine1952
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To: nickcarraway

I have a relatively cheap GPS locator that can send two messages that I can create (”I’m good - love you!” and “Need help but not an emergency”). Also has the emergency button that will send rescue crews to my location.

Working in a remote location it is comforting to my wife to hear from me at lunch out at the site and then back at base camp for the night.

There are better ones (and more expensive) where you can send and receive text messages via the satellites too.


23 posted on 03/23/2024 12:56:18 AM PDT by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant. Never Fearful.)
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To: 21twelve

Smart. Places I’ve elk hunted a broken leg is as lethal as a bullet in the head. Lost in December in the Rockies can and is terminal in a lot of cases.


24 posted on 03/23/2024 1:03:28 AM PDT by Equine1952
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To: Beowulf9

“She probably leaned over for a better photo or something”

Yup. Death by selfie.


25 posted on 03/23/2024 1:35:28 AM PDT by Brooklyn Attitude (I went to bed on November 3rd 2020 and woke up in 1984.)
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To: Brooklyn Attitude

Is that what they mean when they say “Bend back and kiss your🐴 goodbye”.

I think it was John Wayne that said “ Life is hard, it’s harder when you’re stupid”.


26 posted on 03/23/2024 1:55:00 AM PDT by Equine1952
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To: Jonty30

What if you stumble and drop your phone?


27 posted on 03/23/2024 2:56:17 AM PDT by piasa (Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge)
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To: Zhang Fei

If sunny, don’t need a compass - can tell by sun’s position easily.

If not by sun, by moss on sides of trees. Or on rocks.

Any outdoors person can......


28 posted on 03/23/2024 4:12:27 AM PDT by Arlis
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To: nickcarraway

Very sad for all her family and friends.


29 posted on 03/23/2024 4:21:34 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Sounds like a great idea, with the best of intentions. What could possibly go wrong?)
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To: nickcarraway

How sad. Especially sad her parents came out to help find her only to get that devastating news.

I always wanted to visit Tassajara but never got there. It was supposed to be a wonderful retreat area. It didn’t fare well in the fires a few years ago, I recall.


30 posted on 03/23/2024 4:49:26 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“Occupy your mind with good thoughts or your enemy will fill them with bad ones.” ~ Thomas More)
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To: Political Junkie Too; nickcarraway

I use Gaia GPS for GPS navigation, even in well traveled areas. It’s a great app.

Even places with lots of trails can get very confusing (think Almaden Quicksilver), so good nav is very useful. If you plan ahead, you download the maps for your destination area.

My wife bought me a Garmin inReach Mini Handheld GPS Satellite Communicator last Christmas which allows satellite text messaging outside cell service areas. It’s good insurance for such emergencies.


31 posted on 03/23/2024 4:59:31 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“Occupy your mind with good thoughts or your enemy will fill them with bad ones.” ~ Thomas More)
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To: Jonty30

Ten essentials for hiking. Perhaps this will help you in the future.

https://www.nps.gov/articles/10essentials.htm


32 posted on 03/23/2024 5:02:21 AM PDT by cyclotic (Don’t be part of the problem. Be the entire problem)
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To: cyclotic

Thank you so much.


33 posted on 03/23/2024 5:04:09 AM PDT by Jonty30 (Do you know why I'm always right? It's because I know everything. )
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To: Arlis

I spent many days fifty years ago doing day hikes with a compass and a USGS quadrangle map, before the cell phone era, out in the mountains north of Gunnison. We knew enough to stay off the scree and travel loud.


34 posted on 03/23/2024 5:10:45 AM PDT by KC Burke
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To: nickcarraway; All
I just posted on another comment (and cc’d you) that the satellite GPS text messaging devices don’t need cell service. You just need to bring a solar charger or aux battery pack only for very long outings. Some of these devices have 28 day battery life!

I have the Garmin inReach Mini Handheld GPS Satellite Communicator.

A great feature of these devices is “Passive Tracking.” You turn it on and forget about it - viewers at home can watch your progress on the web. Maybe this could have saved this young woman’s life.

Here is an updated Cabelas review: The 5 Best Satellite Messengers of 2024

35 posted on 03/23/2024 5:12:16 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“Occupy your mind with good thoughts or your enemy will fill them with bad ones.” ~ Thomas More)
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To: libh8er

I call them “Selfiecide”


36 posted on 03/23/2024 5:15:49 AM PDT by Farmerbob
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To: Political Junkie Too

I do that. Carry an small extra phone which is for music only


37 posted on 03/23/2024 5:29:14 AM PDT by Chickensoup
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To: Beowulf9

Or she could have been pushed. Dangerous to hike alone in an invaded country.


38 posted on 03/23/2024 5:31:40 AM PDT by Chickensoup
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To: nickcarraway

Taking a Selfie ?


39 posted on 03/23/2024 5:44:43 AM PDT by butlerweave
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To: Zhang Fei

In the age of GPS, Garmin, TomToms, etc we have lost the skill of orienteering with a compass or the stars.


40 posted on 03/23/2024 5:57:05 AM PDT by desertsolitaire (Kobe Bryant was the worst helicopter parent.)
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