What is the chance of that? Why so many posts which pick at oversights or lapses of memory on the part of this poor old human being, but which do not invalidate my thesis...
... and none that would (if valid) actually prove they (1) ever camped; (2) were still camping after 5/24; (3) were lying dead for 5 or 6 days very near the Skyland Lodge, and (says the hook article) within sight of a dirt road and a horse trail?
The fact is, their friends strongly expected them the evening of 5/24 in Baltimore; the father of one was completely panicked by the morning of 5/27; and yet the official story is they were camped practically in the yard of the Skyland Lodge, but never made a phone call, never bought a meal or supplies, never appeared in public even on the trails or roads anywhere near there, for a week or so. Gimme a break.
I dont see how. The story was big news in this area when it happened. I am very involved with the hiking community and the Park and I have never heard anyone say they were camped "practically in the yard of the Skyland". They were 1/2 mile off the Applachian trail and secluded. As a matter of etiquette, hikers dont violate another campers space, so even if someone on a less traveled sidetrail or fire road saw a tent thru the brush they wouldnt approach.