BajaNomad

Desert Rat

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mcfez - 5-22-2014 at 08:17 AM

No panic here but: Desert Rat's truck has been parked at my Baja place for ten days now...according to my camp Boss. I thought he said he was going hiking for 7 days......

Anyone here .....knows what his time line is for this hike? Oh....the truck is just fine for however long he may be gone.

David K - 5-22-2014 at 08:59 AM

I hope he had a friend or fellow Nomad go with him... climbing Diablo Mountain alone isn't a wise thing, I believe...

Ateo - 5-22-2014 at 09:04 AM

Do we know if he had a SPOT and if so who is monitoring it? Hope he's fine and enjoying the climb down.

Udo - 5-22-2014 at 09:33 AM

Diablo mountain was one of the places that I killed and ate (BBQ'd) the snake after cleaning.
It IS a very long hike, but the views are out of this world!

I would give him 10-12 days (if walking from SF).

mcfez - 5-22-2014 at 11:13 AM

Anyone here that knows him...will you make contact with the family.

Bob53 - 5-22-2014 at 11:17 AM

I hope he is ok.

mcfez - 5-22-2014 at 11:24 AM

What came in this a.m. to my mailbox:

Abril Flores xxxxxx

7:02 AM (4 hours ago)

to Jeanette, me
Hello Jeanette & Deno, I am not sure If I have Deno´s e-mail address right, so Jeanette if you get this e-mail can you make sure to tell Deno about it.
A guy came by this morning looking for me, he Said that Deno´s Friend went Hiking the Cañon del Diablo and left his Car under this guy´s supervision, and He told him that if after ten days he doesn´t show up, he needed to come to look for me and I must tell Deno About it, so I really do not know what to do, yesterday was the ten days. Did he tell you something about this?
Let me know,

Abril

Barry A. - 5-22-2014 at 12:16 PM

I don't like the way the info in this thread is trending----------

I have a bad feeling about it--------------Picacho del Diablo and the surrounding area of the east-scarp is HUGE, and very dangerous, especially if alone as David K says above.

And, I can't imagine why anybody would hike there from as far away as the San Felipe area as opposed to the base of the range?!?!?!?

Barry

motoged - 5-22-2014 at 01:15 PM

Let's hope the guy is OK :saint:

[Edited on 5-22-2014 by motoged]

rts551 - 5-22-2014 at 01:57 PM

DO NOT encourage her.

24baja - 5-22-2014 at 02:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
DO NOT encourage her.


I could not agree more.

motoged - 5-22-2014 at 02:56 PM

....took the bait off the hook.....:cool:

Ateo - 5-22-2014 at 04:39 PM

I posted this on Talk Baja.

mtgoat666 - 5-22-2014 at 04:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
What came in this a.m. to my mailbox:

Abril Flores xxxxxx

7:02 AM (4 hours ago)

to Jeanette, me
Hello Jeanette & Deno, I am not sure If I have Deno´s e-mail address right, so Jeanette if you get this e-mail can you make sure to tell Deno about it.
A guy came by this morning looking for me, he Said that Deno´s Friend went Hiking the Cañon del Diablo and left his Car under this guy´s supervision, and He told him that if after ten days he doesn´t show up, he needed to come to look for me and I must tell Deno About it, so I really do not know what to do, yesterday was the ten days. Did he tell you something about this?
Let me know,

Abril


he said 10 days. 10 days have passed. at this time you should call authorities and say someone is missing. don't waste time thinking about what to do,... just call the authorities and tell them someone is missing, let the system go to work. didn't the guy say to "ring the alarm bell" (so to speak) after 10 days??????

Start the notifications/search

bajaguy - 5-22-2014 at 05:42 PM

It would be better to call off any search effort if the Rat shows up than wait too long, just my two centavos.

Ateo - 5-22-2014 at 06:56 PM

Time is of the essence and considering it may take the authorities many days to get moving, a call would be a good idea.

Ateo - 5-22-2014 at 07:17 PM

Anyone have a current photo? BajaGringo at Talk Baja asked for one. All I could find was the 2002 photo from David K.

EnsenadaDr - 5-22-2014 at 07:19 PM

Last posts of Desert Rat on the board which has a photo of him.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=73448#pid9027...

Graham - 5-22-2014 at 07:21 PM

Just met Ron in the San Pedro Martir and gave him water, iced tea and some food.

He was beat and dog tired but he asked me to share that he's well and heading down from the mountains.

In fact, he hitched a ride out with some Mexican road workers... I'll post more when I can.

Graham Mackintosh

But just to repeat... he has left the San Pedro Martir.

David K - 5-22-2014 at 07:29 PM

Thank you Graham!

motoged - 5-22-2014 at 07:31 PM

Fantastic news....gracias, Graham:smug::saint:

Good advice, gang, on the suggestions to "get on it" !

mcfez - 5-22-2014 at 08:33 PM

EXCELLENT!

So I have to take the for sale sign off the car? ;)

Thank you all for a heart.

EnsenadaDr - 5-22-2014 at 08:52 PM

All's well that ends well, Deno!!:tumble:

Ateo - 5-22-2014 at 09:05 PM

Sweet.

McFez

captkw - 5-22-2014 at 09:06 PM

Hola,,You should have replaced Jay lenno !! you have better replys...LOL :lol: Glad he is OK!!

Graham - 5-23-2014 at 07:27 AM

I came across Ron on the road to the observatory, near the museum. He had been lost and had not picked up water for days. much longer and he would have been in trouble. Did not make Picacho. I will be back home tonight and will send pics.

motoged - 5-23-2014 at 09:15 AM

Baja Nomads are are wonderful group of folks when it comes to helping out in such situations !!! :saint:

What a small world: Graham, a true Baja legend, just happens to be in the area to find a Nomad in distress....:o ... who could have predicted such a "coincidence"?

Just a bit short of a miracle (a word I seldom use).

Just a year ago I put up a request to find a surfer whose mother was worried sick as she hadn't heard from him in a week (yep, real anxious mom :biggrin:) ) and two days later a fellow managing a development on the Pacific by Punta Conejo (northwest of La Paz) found the guy and told him to call home ....another success story:cool:

It's a bit heartwarming...

[Edited on 5-23-2014 by motoged]

micah202 - 5-23-2014 at 09:33 AM

.
....nice one...the beauty of mixing the internet with rugged beautiful baja!...glad all is okay,,,,,other than a very tired hiker!!

tripledigitken - 5-23-2014 at 09:36 AM

I wonder what Rat's plan is to get back to San Felipe? Hope he isn't planning on walking back.

David K - 5-23-2014 at 09:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Graham
I came across Ron on the road to the observatory, near the museum. He had been lost and had not picked up water for days. much longer and he would have been in trouble. Did not make Picacho. I will be back home tonight and will send pics.


Thank you Graham!:bounce:

watizname - 5-23-2014 at 11:50 AM

Boy, what a perfect example of how this board should and can work. It's impressive to say the least. Rat used good sense to let people know what his plan was and when time was up, Dino raised the red flags. Way to go guys. :yes:

mcfez - 5-23-2014 at 03:24 PM

Would love to take the credit.......
But I cannot. Abril of Campos Ocotillo is the real savor here. She manages the campos for us....and noted that the car was still in my driveway.

Wait til Rat gets the over due storage fee from me.
Quote:
Originally posted by watizname
Boy, what a perfect example of how this board should and can work. It's impressive to say the least. Rat used good sense to let people know what his plan was and when time was up, Dino raised the red flags. Way to go guys. :yes:

Graham - 5-23-2014 at 07:54 PM

Here are the pics from the San Pedro Martir of Ron as we found him. I was with a party heading to the observatory for a tour when we saw a guy stepping onto the highway and flagging us down. He was desperate for water.... and to get a message to Deno or to Nomad that he was OK.

While we were re-hydrating him the workers pickup came by and we agreed that he should jump in and head for the park entrance where he could probably use their email.

Just over an hour later we returned to the park entrance hoping to pick him up and take him down to Rancho Meling to spend a night with us and we could take him north to the bus station in Ensenada for a bus to San Felipe.

I was surprised and disappointed he wasn't there.. or at Meling. But the park rangers said he had decided to go down with the pickup, and they alerted their search and rescue contacts that all was well.

Ron has clearly had a terrible ordeal coming up the canyon, trying to find a way up Picacho Diablo - he said to me that it was almost impossible without a guide - and then picking up the last of his water at the bottom of the canyon and climbing up to the plateau and wandering lost for it sounded like days before we met him on the road.

I wish he'd waited for us at the park entrance with the rangers. He needed a night in a motel and time to recover and regain his strength. I'm anxious to know that he made it by bus or hitching back to his vehicle. Ron is one heck of a tough hombre...





rts551 - 5-23-2014 at 08:19 PM

starting from San Felipe, how did he end up at San Pedro Martir? That is a long walk/hike!

bacquito - 5-23-2014 at 09:03 PM

Glad to hear everything worked out for you Ron.

Ya Know !!

captkw - 5-23-2014 at 09:17 PM

Myself Left home around 12 yrs old>>and spent a lot of time time talking with retires....and learned Back then to get OUT THERE while you are able.....I heard SOOO many folks say that when they retire,,,they are gonna travel...IT DOSN"T work work that way !!! Travel while you have good health and you will stay a lot more healthy when you get out..OMG...caps are OFF !!! ....LOL...get a GRIP!!!

watizname - 5-23-2014 at 10:38 PM

Kudos to Abril tambien. A little good karma can go a long ways. :tumble:

mcfez - 5-23-2014 at 10:39 PM

Thanks Graham for the info.

I have to give this guy LOTS of credit for walking to the mountain. Bravo for not being an easy chair retiree. I know several guys in San Diego that are his age.....stuck with obesity and heart conditions.....getting third world medical/dental aid. Not this Desert Rat guy.....he is truly the lucky one here.

tripledigitken - 5-23-2014 at 11:46 PM

It's been over 30 hours since he hitched a ride, any word on Rat?

Graham - 5-24-2014 at 07:18 AM

I'm getting concerned too. Hard to imagine why he hasn't checked in? We need to know if he makes it back to his car.

tripledigitken - 5-24-2014 at 07:47 AM

Graham,

Did he say he was going to get a bus ticket? He strikes me as the type that might reprovision, rest and turnaround and hike back. I guess it's a waiting game for another day.

Graham - 5-24-2014 at 08:25 AM

He was really motivated to get a message out to McFez and Nomad that he was OK and get back to his vehicle.

There is no way he would not have posted somewhere on route unless he'd had a medical emergency or something has happened to him.

There was no way he returned to the mountains so soon to try again; he was exhausted.

I've sent an email to the ranger that told me he left in the "workers" vehicle pictured above and asked if he was in contact with them and could they say where they last saw him.

Unless he got out to walk down to the Meling Ranch and never made it, I have to assume he made it down to the town on the highway... San Telmo and either looked to get on a bus or tried to hitch a ride.

Definitely something wrong here!!!

bacquito - 5-24-2014 at 08:38 AM

I once again tried to call his Laredo, Tx. telephone number but nobody answered. He is married so perhaps he called his wife but I got no response.

[Edited on 5-24-2014 by bacquito]

EnsenadaDr - 5-24-2014 at 08:46 AM

Sounds to me like he might have gotten disoriented. I hope that people start traveling with a buddy and carrying a GPS or SPOT....I would hope after the Gary calamity and now another possible missing Nomad no one goes out alone, either with a human or something technological. There are too many health problems that can occur in the later years of life.

Graham - 5-24-2014 at 08:58 AM

I also tried calling his Laredo TX home phone number - no reply.

woody with a view - 5-24-2014 at 09:11 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
There are too many health problems that can occur in the later years of life.


i applaud the man for not sitting around waiting for health problems to arrive! GET OUT AND LIVE, before it's too late.

micah202 - 5-24-2014 at 09:13 AM

.

....found,,then lost seems verrry strange......I hope he's okay! :?:

[Edited on 5-24-2014 by micah202]

EnsenadaDr - 5-24-2014 at 09:30 AM

I agree Woody, but do it safely. Sort of like scuba diving. A buddy never hurts. What was he doing near Ensenada if he had been in San Felipe? Does McFez have an update if he picked up his car or not.
Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
There are too many health problems that can occur in the later years of life.


i applaud the man for not sitting around waiting for health problems to arrive! GET OUT AND LIVE, before it's too late.

durrelllrobert - 5-24-2014 at 09:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
What was he doing near Ensenada if he had been in San Felipe?

Never near Ensenada. Graham said that IF he got to Meling ranch a spent the night he was going to give him a ride to Ensenada to catch a bus back to SF which is on the opposite side of the mountain from Meling ranch.

[Edited on 5-24-2014 by durrelllrobert]

Graham - 5-24-2014 at 09:44 AM

I received a reply from the ranger at the park. As I read this it sounds like his condition worsened to the point where they asked the guys driving down to take him to Colonet for assistance... but they didn't do as they were asked????

I'd appreciate any Spanish speakers take on translating this:


A las personas se les dió instrucción de que dejaran a su amigo en la delegación de Punta Colonet y que dieran aviso a Protección Civil de Ensenada, pero al parecer no se hizo como lo dijimos, no tenemos noticias sobre esta persona y las autoridades estatales ya tienen noticia.

I've asked for clarification and if they could make further enquiries about Ron's whereabouts.

I feel terrible that we didn't just bundle him into our van when we met him and take him to the observatory and then down with us to Meling. He was reluctant to jump in saying he hadn't washed in days. He perked up considerably while we were talking to him, and I thought we'd find him at the park entrance.

woody with a view - 5-24-2014 at 09:47 AM

Persons were given instruction to leave his friend in the delegation of Punta Colonet and to give notice to Civil Protection Ensenada, but apparently not done as we said, we have no news about this person and state authorities and have news.

Graham - 5-24-2014 at 09:55 AM

Thanks... and here's the follow up I received:


Claro, cualquier noticia le escribo un correo a usted, no sé realmente que pasó pero nosotros le dijimos que dieran aviso a las autoridades de colonet, las personas que lo llevaron son trabajadores del observatorio que están construyendo el nuevo telescopio, no los conozco pero los vemos seguido aquí cuando entran.


If we don't get something certain about Ron's situation soon... I'm heading back down there.

woody with a view - 5-24-2014 at 10:02 AM

Sure, any news I am writing an email to you, do not really know what happened, but we told him to give notice to the authorities of Colonet those carrying it are employees of the observatory being built the new telescope, do not know but we followed when they come here.

David K - 5-24-2014 at 10:36 AM

I don't recall if Graham and Ron (Desert Rat) met before, but Graham's first book is what inspired Ron to seek adventures in Baja. Ron followed Graham's lead by walking from San Felipe and got as far south as Gonzaga Bay, in 1994.
Ron sent me his photos back in 2000 and I made a web page: http://www.vivabaja.com/desert_rat/index.html

In 2001, Ron took a bus from Laredo Texas to San Quintin to join us in the Viva Baja 4WD van for a week of fun and exploration in Baja (BBBB-1, Las Pintas, Tinaja de Yubay, L.A. Bay, a lost mission hunt, Gonzaga Bay and we dropped Ron off at the bus station in Calexico): http://vivabaja.com/van1

In 2002, Ron returned to San Quintin with his son to enjoy M's BBBB-4 party: http://www.vivabaja.com/bbbb4/

What I find incredible is that Ron's 'hero' and inspiration for exploring Baja 20 years earlier (Graham) is the person who first found him after trying to climb Diablo Mountain!

Ron is pretty indestructible, I believe he will pop up soon. All of us in the Viva Baja van really enjoyed his company and sense of humor and adventure... and I think he just had his greatest adventure, capped with a 1 and 1 million chance meeting with Graham Mackintosh.

mcfez - 5-24-2014 at 10:49 AM

The Mexican Cartel couldn't get Ron's car from my Baja house......being watched by four neighbors. :-) The car is the last thing anyone here should be worried about.....let's focus on Desert Rat.

The pictures of Desert rat....I didn't see a sleeping bag. If I was in San Felipe right now...I would take the day to go look for him....for sure. All of this isnt adding up.

Maderita - 5-24-2014 at 11:03 AM

Graham,
It is curious that he was so disoriented after climbing out of Diablo Canyon and onto the plateau. He knows the area from previous trips. Finding the "best" path might be difficult, resulting in a few hours delay. However, overall navigation is straightforward. If he just walked generally northwest he would have found a road (either the Vallecitos-Los Llanitos road or the observatory road).

Did he seem to have any cognitive (thinking) problems? Dehydration causes cognitive impairment; logic and good judgement decline. Dehydration (and the blood thickening) is also a trigger for TIA's and small strokes which result in cognitive problems. I don't see evidence of a stroke in your photos of him up on the plateau. Face is not drooping on one side, both hands are held in the air and fingers are able to grasp.
Did he show other signs of cognitive impairmant? Slurring speech, difficulty finding words, poor motor coordination, illogical/rambling speech, etc.
Physical impairmant - weakness on one side, balance problems?

There are other explanations for his decline after leaving the park. His kidneys may have suffered the effects of extreme dehydration. If he drank a lot of water without replenishing the electrolytes, hyponatremia (water intoxication) is likely.

If there is no word from him, he may have been transported to a hospital. South to San Quintin or north to Ensenada would be my guess. In any case, I hope that he is receiving medical care and making a full recovery.

EnsenadaDr - 5-24-2014 at 11:50 AM

I just spoke to Sargeant Nakoa Gutierrez in Punta Colonet. He was very nice and I explained the situation. They have not seen or heard anything about him. His number at the Police Station is 616-165-7720. He told me the nearest hospital was Vicente Guerrero IMSS Clinica 69 about 30 km.. There was no answer there and the police in Vicente Guerrero said they haven't heard of him. The Sargeant said he was going to get the number of the Observatory to find out where the workers left Ron and is alerting all of his policemen to start looking for him in the town of Punta Colonet. If Graham could get the Sargeant the pictures that would help. I will call him tomorrow at the same time to find out if he heard of anything.
Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
Persons were given instruction to leave his friend in the delegation of Punta Colonet and to give notice to Civil Protection Ensenada, but apparently not done as we said, we have no news about this person and state authorities and have news.

Graham - 5-24-2014 at 12:06 PM

Yes, it was an amazing coincidence that I was in the first vehicle he flagged down after strugging up to the road! And exactly this time last year the two of us and Bacquito were making our attempt on Picacho.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=66483&pag...

When we met him he spoke to the driver of our van in Spanish and we assumed he was Mexican... I jumped out to get him some water. I didn't recognise him under his hat and beard. He said, "Graham... it's me Christian." It still took a few moments to realise it was Ronnie. He was definitely weak and thirsty and thin. Might well have been more confused than we realised.

Maderita makes some good points and thanks EnsenadaDr for your wonderful assistance here. If we don't hear something I'm going to head down tomorrow and check out the road down from the observatory past Meling just in case he was confused and asked to get off the pickup.

Graham - 5-24-2014 at 12:10 PM

And Lencho, I did say I'd get a message out when I could. But even so given the uncertainties I'm certain he would sign on if he could.

rts551 - 5-24-2014 at 12:13 PM

Can we save the viva caca lessons until after he is found.


Maybe Ron from Talk Baja can help. He lives south of San Quintin.

Graham - 5-24-2014 at 12:55 PM

This is what he was wearing head to toe when we said goodbye.

Mulegena - 5-24-2014 at 01:14 PM

What's Ron's name, please? Age. Need it to find him now.

shari - 5-24-2014 at 01:35 PM

Have people called the clinics &/or hospitals in the area...perhaps that is what Mulegena is doing now?

Mulegena - 5-24-2014 at 01:38 PM

Just got his name via u2u.
We're on it.
Thanks.

bacquito - 5-24-2014 at 01:44 PM

I went to the General Hospital in Ensenada and Velmar but no results

Graham - 5-24-2014 at 01:45 PM

His name is Ron Christian and he's in his seventies.


Having been lost and late a few times myself, I'm not one to over-react, but the BEST plausible scenario I can conceive here is that Ron has suffered a medical problem and is somewhere being cared for and heading for a full recovery.

Whatever has happened, we absolutely need to keep asking and find him as quickly as possible.

Thanks everyone for your help.

David K - 5-24-2014 at 03:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Graham
Yes, it was an amazing coincidence that I was in the first vehicle he flagged down after strugging up to the road! And exactly this time last year the two of us and Bacquito were making our attempt on Picacho.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=66483&pag...

When we met him he spoke to the driver of our van in Spanish and we assumed he was Mexican... I jumped out to get him some water. I didn't recognise him under his hat and beard. He said, "Graham... it's me Christian." It still took a few moments to realise it was Ronnie. He was definitely weak and thirsty and thin. Might well have been more confused than we realised.

Maderita makes some good points and thanks EnsenadaDr for your wonderful assistance here. If we don't hear something I'm going to head down tomorrow and check out the road down from the observatory past Meling just in case he was confused and asked to get off the pickup.


Thank you Graham... I had forgotten you guys hooked up when Ron (D'Rat) last tried to climb Diablo.

As Don Jorge said here, I agree that this is Ron's passion and he is well able to get help if he needs it. I think (hope) he is just on the slow bus to San Felipe!

PaulW - 5-24-2014 at 04:59 PM

Don't be to hard on Ron.
My buddy who is a world class climber and explorer walked past Campo Noche and did not discover his mistake until he was approaching Blue Bottle. He retraced his tracks back to Campo Noche and proceeded to finish the climb. Of course he was embarrassed. The next year I did the same solo climb and made darn sure I found CN.
Turns out what we all do is walk up the drainage and do not pay attention to the terrain on the left often enough and miss the camping spot at CN.
After CN one must go straight up a crappy talus field as described in Ron's report.
The climb from the east typically takes 2.5 to 3.5 days to summit if all one does is walk. The half day is to get to the trail head and negotiate the two spill overs. The return to the TH takes a day less.
Ron asked me for tips and details, but by the time I got the message it was days after he had departed. In any event the various reports from the Internet are much better than anything I could provide.
PW

Graham - 5-24-2014 at 05:31 PM

Ron made an heroic effort to get to the summit of Baja... he was ten days alone in prime cougar country. When we met him he knew he had reached his limit and gone beyond. He said his thirst was such he could hardly speak.

We saw him Thursday morning... and he was out of the park before noon. Even if he spent a night in a hotel or with the folks who gave him a ride... we should have heard something by now.

And if for any reason he got out of that vehicle before reaching the highway, he could well have collapsed. I'm convinced he's in trouble. I think it will be a huge mistake to assume anything but the worst till we hear from him.

BajaGringo - 5-24-2014 at 05:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
Have people called the clinics &/or hospitals in the area...perhaps that is what Mulegena is doing now?


We have clients in from Korea and China so I am not able to get away but I called around to all of the hospitals and clinics in San Quintin and none reported to have him. I wasn't able to reach the the hospital in Vicente Guerrero so I sent a message to a friend nearby, asking if he could check for us.

I'll let you know once he calls...

Katiejay99 - 5-24-2014 at 06:10 PM

Hijack alert!

Hey Baja Gringo - you changed your avatar!!! SCARY!! The jail one is better. LOL.

Graham - 5-24-2014 at 06:12 PM

Thanks Gringo.

This is a long shot... but when we drove down on Friday morning there seemed to be a pair of old shoes or boots hanging over a road sign a mile or two west of Rancho Meling, on the north side heading back to the highway.

We just flashed by and didn't get a good look at them but after studying the picture of the boots Ron was wearing, they did seem a similar color.

Now he hasn't shown I'm beginning to wonder if they might be his. I'm heading down tomorrow and plan on combing that area just in case... but anyone in the area might want to take a look. I'll see if I can contact someone at the ranch or maybe Astrobaja can help investigate.

As I said earlier, it is possible Ron might have been feeling unwell and given up on his plan to get to the highway and asked to get off near Meling.

rts551 - 5-24-2014 at 06:29 PM

someone needs to get an answer from the workers who were giving him a ride. Way better than speculation!

Where do these workers stay? Do gthe Rangers know? I am sure we could get a question to them if we knew where they were.


[Edited on 5-25-2014 by rts551]

Graham - 5-24-2014 at 06:33 PM

I just called David at Rancho Meling. He thinks the boots might have been there awhile but kindly offered to send one of his workers out tomorrow morning to check it out.

Mulegena - 5-24-2014 at 09:44 PM

Thanks to everyone keeping focus on this. This man is one tough dude tromping around the desert like he does; he has my respect.

We all hope he's well and riding the bus back to McFez' house for his car as Don Jorge suggests he may be.

Really appreciate Graham's help and follow-up and certainly appreciate Ron making phone calls today and accessing his contacts in the area.

Hold good thoughts, Nomads.

Graham - 5-25-2014 at 09:10 AM

Sunday morning - I'm returning to the San Pedro Martir to see what I can find out up there - at the park entrance and hopefully from the observatory contruction workers that he left with.

We need to find Ronnie - make sure that this gutsy 82nd Airborne vet comes safely back to us this Memorial weekend.

BornFisher - 5-25-2014 at 09:16 AM

This is getting scary---- best of luck Graham.

DianaT - 5-25-2014 at 09:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Graham
Sunday morning - I'm returning to the San Pedro Martir to see what I can find out up there - at the park entrance and hopefully from the observatory contruction workers that he left with.

We need to find Ronnie - make sure that this gutsy 82nd Airborne vet comes safely back to us this Memorial weekend.


That is wonderful --- action, action. Best of luck with your venture! Good on you!

rts551 - 5-25-2014 at 09:23 AM

Thanks Graham. Best idea, even if he ends up to be on the road somewhere.

bacquito - 5-25-2014 at 10:33 AM

I went to the bus terminal in Ensenada today and checked with ABC personel and no evidence of Ron on any bus headed to Ensenada for the past 3 days.
Also, the police got involved and I ended up with the police at the tourist bureau. The suggested I file a missing person report. I have the address.

I am waiting for Graham to arrive from San Diego and possibly we will go together but in seperate cars.

We do not know what has happened. I would be carefull about talking to the workers that carried Ron away. Perhaps it would be better handeled by police. But then my wife says I exaggerate

[Edited on 5-25-2014 by bacquito]

bacquito - 5-25-2014 at 11:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
Quote:
Originally posted by bacquito
We do not know what has happened. I would be carefull about talking to the workers that carried Ron away. Perhaps it would be better handeled by police. But then my wife says I exaggerate

You're implying some shady action on their part? Pretty unlikely, considering the context.


Yes, I agree "pretty unlikely".

BajaRat - 5-25-2014 at 12:12 PM

The Fams prayers and support are with all involved

mcfez - 5-25-2014 at 01:00 PM

Graham .......bacquito

If you need to go onto my property to look at desert rat's car....you have my permission. Have cleared this with the security and manager/neighbors.

Anyone else here wishing to look at the car...you MUST contact me first. There is no open permission for anyone to enter my property.....or Campos Ocotillo. Dont try.

EnsenadaDr - 5-25-2014 at 02:52 PM

I called the Sargeant at Punta Colonet and he left for the day but the Commander at the station told me to report the missing person to 066, that no one had heard of him. Since I am in San Diego they gave me a number to call 011-646-1723500. I then spoke with Operator #4 who again was very nice and he filed a report with the police and the Ministerio Publico in Ensenada Jurisdiction which I believe covers Punta Colonet and the San Pedro de Martir area. I guess this number the emergency number, is the number you dial to file a missing person's report. I gave Ron's full name, Ron Christian, and he is in his 70's. he wanted me to send the pictures on Baja Nomad to email favitia@c4bc.gob.mx. I am waiting for a confirmation email that the received the pictures, but Graham might want to send them to this email as well.

[Edited on 5-25-2014 by EnsenadaDr]

Graham - 5-25-2014 at 04:22 PM

Bacquito and I just arrived in Colonet and spoke to three of the officers in the police station. They knew nothing about Ron and had no information. We gave tham a picture Bacquito printed out from our trip last summer.

I informed them of Rons age, Texas drivers licence and the circumstances of the disapperance and they said they would be making enquiries in the park and along Rons route to Ensenada.

Thanks EnsenadaDr for all your efforts. A missing Persons report will be a good move.

Bacquito and I are heading to the San Pedro Martir to see what we can find out... knowing where Ron exited that pickup is crucial.

BajaRat - 5-25-2014 at 04:36 PM

Gods speed

EnsenadaDr - 5-25-2014 at 04:43 PM

Graham please have the police run the license plate of the truck Ron was last seen in.
Quote:
Originally posted by Graham
Bacquito and I just arrived in Colonet and spoke to three of the officers in the police station. They knew nothing about Ron and had no information. We gave tham a picture Bacquito printed out from our trip last summer.

I informed them of Rons age, Texas drivers licence and the circumstances of the disapperance and they said they would be making enquiries in the park and along Rons route to Ensenada.

Thanks EnsenadaDr for all your efforts. A missing Persons report will be a good move.

Bacquito and I are heading to the San Pedro Martir to see what we can find out... knowing where Ron exited that pickup is crucial.

Desert Rat - 5-25-2014 at 06:55 PM

This is Desert Rat. I have just arrived in Laredo and this is the first opportunity for me to use a computer. I am safe and sound. I am utterly and totally embarassed by my actions that have caused my fellow Nomads to become so intensely involved working in my behalf. I will explain what happened after the ride to Ensenada with the construction crew just as soon as I get my thoughts together. I owe apologies to all that were involved in trying to come up with answers to the question as to where is Desert Rat. Please be patience with me. Thank you one and all.

[Edited on 5-26-2014 by Desert Rat]

mcfez - 5-25-2014 at 06:57 PM

I think we all are thrilled that you are alive! This is great news.

The bad news is I was hoping to sell that car for 8 fish tacos :-)

Very glad you are okay. Deno
Quote:
Originally posted by Desert Rat
This is Desert Rat. I have just arrived in Laredo and this is the first opportunity for me to use a computer. I am save and sound. I am utterly and totally embarassed by my actions that have caused my fellow Nomads to become so intensely involved working in my behalf. I will explain what happened after the ride to Ensenada with the construction crew just as soon as I get my thoughts together. I owe apologies to all that were involved in trying to come up with answers to the question as to where is Desert Rat. Please be patient with me. Thank you one and all.

rts551 - 5-25-2014 at 07:03 PM

Great news. Can someone call Graham. And Janeen...now we don't have to turn in the construction crew.

monoloco - 5-25-2014 at 07:03 PM

Glad to see a positive outcome.

tripledigitken - 5-25-2014 at 07:07 PM

Great news!!!!

EnsenadaDr - 5-25-2014 at 07:09 PM

WELCOME BACK HOME!!

DianaT - 5-25-2014 at 07:12 PM

I think everyone is just really very, very happy you are safe and sound. A happy ending.

rts551 - 5-25-2014 at 07:15 PM

The story you can now tell!!!!! Can not wait!!!


SOMEONE PLS CALL GRAHAM IF YOU HAVE HIS NUMBER!

[Edited on 5-26-2014 by rts551]

D'Rat's explanation of events after ride with construction workers.

Desert Rat - 5-25-2014 at 07:42 PM

The construction crew dropped me off at the Ensenada bus station so that I could catch the next bus to Mexicali. I arrived in Mexicali around 10:00 that same evening. I checked into the Border Motel right away and promptly fell into the bed and slept until 5:30 a.m. I quickly hustled back across the border to catch the first bus to San Felipe. I had the driver drop me off at El Crucero ( the intersection of highways 5 and 3. About a quarter of a mile north of inspection station there is a ramshackled restaurante called "Michoacan" where my car was parked. (My car was never left at Deno's place in Campo Ocotillo.) Since the restaurante was a perfect jumping off place for the beginnig of the hike, I got permission to leave my car there for at least 10 days.

I picked up the car around 11:am and drove down to Campo Ocotillo to talk with Abril the owner of the camp. I wanted to tell her as soon as possible to contact Deno and let him know that I was back and to stop any attempt of a search effort. I was two days overdue.

Abril was not home so all I could do was leave a message at her gate and hope she would return soon to get the message to Deno. I waited for her until 2:00 pm. I was so exhausted by this time that I needed to head back to the USA and start recuperating from the ordeal. As I pulled away from her house, I met a woman across the street and stopped to see if she would also relay the message for me. She said that she would, just as soon as she saw Abril.

For some reason, it seems as yet that that Deno never got the message. I don't know why!

I drove back to Calexico that afternoon and drove on to Yuma, Az and spent the night at a Motel 6. I got back home to Laredo today at 7:00 pm (Sunday, the 25th).

Tomorrow morning I have to drive to Monterrey, Mexico to pick up my wife. Once I am there, I will re-read the postings that y'all have posted concerning the episode and I will try to respond to each and every one of you.
Again, please have patience with me. Thank you! Desert Rat.

Desert Rat - 5-25-2014 at 07:46 PM

Yes, please, by all means call Graham and bacquito. I am going to try and contact him also. Thank you.

rts551 - 5-25-2014 at 07:51 PM

lots of questions answered Ron. Thanks


But hey whose car is at Deno's? the mystery continues.

Desert Rat - 5-25-2014 at 07:55 PM

I just completed a phone call to Bonnie and she will do her best to get a message to Graham as soon as possible.

mcfez - 5-25-2014 at 07:56 PM

Ha! Teaches you a lesson not to send third party messages. Only message that I finally got was what I posted...and you can see that it seems a little distance of the situation. Feel free to use the parking area again...but next time directly contact me (or whoever it is where you park) as it should had been done. Just glad that you are not dead in some ravine.... which most here where starting to take bets on.

[Edited on 5-26-2014 by mcfez]
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