After six days of intensive – but futile – searching the High Sierra west of Bridgeport, Mono County Sheriff’s Department and National Park Service officials announced Sunday, August 10, 2003 that the search for overdue backpacker Fred Claassen had been downgraded due to lack of any sightings or evidence. Basically, all active field searching was suspended Sunday evening, but it could resume if any firm leads are discovered.
Background
Fred Claassen, 46, 5 ft 10 in, 155 lb, of Livermore CA, entered the Hoover Wilderness behind Twin Lakes on Thursday, July 31 and hasn’t been heard from since. Claassen, who was carrying photography and sound recording equipment, was traveling alone in the rugged backcountry around Sawtooth Ridge. He has been described as a "experienced hiker" who was physically fit. Thunderstorms passed over the area early in his trip, and the high-elevation area includes steep slopes. He had planned on returning home Monday, August 4.
His known itinerary was general and ambiguous, but was thought to include the rugged high-elevation areas around Sawtooth Crest and the Matterhorn (elevation 12,279 feet). Claassen was reported to be well equipped with black Dana Designs backpack, light blue day pack, Leki gold hiking stick, khaki shirt, hat and pants, red down jacket, navy blue rain gear, light sage green/gray GoLite Den 2 Quonset Hut tent, navy-blue large Thermarest pad, MSA Whisperlite stove, and an orange tarp.
Claassen is using a light sage green/gray
GoLite Den 2 Quonset Hut tent
When Claassen failed to return home, Mono County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Team (MonoSAR) initiated a search that quickly evolved into a major operation involving over 100 personnel at a time.
Search Area
The search area includes Robinson Creek drainage (Barney, Peeler, Robinson, Crown, and Snow Lakes area); the Horse Creek Drainage; and the northern part of Yosemite National Park between Mule Pass, Burro Pass, and the Matterhorn.
The Search
On August 5, Mono SAR set up an incident command center at the Forest Service helitack base at Bridgeport Airport. That morning, a California Highway Patrol helicopter from Fresno flew over Claassen's planned route but did not locate him. That same afternoon, an Air National Guard helicopter from Mather inserted two Mono SAR teams near Matterhorn Peak, while a third team searched Horse Creek Canyon below.
During the evening hours, a helicopter from Yosemite SAR flew over the area to recon it under different light. The overdue backpacker still wasn't spotted.
Early the morning of August 6, mutual aid searchers from the Inyo County and China Lake SAR teams were dispatched to search the area. Yosemite SAR personnel were positioned along trails leading out of Yosemite, asking hikers if they had seen Claasen. Similar trail blockers were in place on the eastern side of the search area at Twin Lakes.
As the search continued, field teams searched approximately 25 square miles of wilderness. Searchers, dog teams and even horses combed the area’s trails, alpine boulder fields, canyons, and mountain peaks. Agency and military helicopters flew aerial reconnaissance and transport. An incident command center at Bridgeport Airport coordinated the complex operation.
Mutual Aid From All Over
MonoSAR and Yosemite National Park Search & Rescue Team (YOSAR) were assisted by the following organizations, some of which traveled far to provide mutual aid:
- Inyo County SAR
- China Lake SAR
- US Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center
- San Bernardino SAR
- Sierra Madre SAR
- Ventura SAR
- Marin SAR
- Fresno SAR
- California Explorer SAR
- WOOF Wilderness Finders (dog teams)
- Yo Dogs (dog teams)
- California Rescue Dog Association (dog teams)
- Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (wilderness rangers and helitack facility)
- Yosemite National Park (field teams, investigators, & helicopter)
- California Highway Patrol (helicopters)
- Army National Guard (helicopters)
- Naval Air Station Fallon (helicopter)
- Civil Air Patrol (fixed wing)
- Mono County Sheriff’s Department (incident command & logistics)
Thanks To All Who Helped
Many of the above organizations are composed of unpaid volunteers, whose efforts we appreciate very much. Also appreciated are the many hikers, climbers, and other members of the public who talked with investigators in the search for clues and sightings.