00:00It looks idyllic. A vast green field with granite cliffs in the background and a river flowing through the landscape.
00:08You can see birds flying and people having a picnic. But then, a scream cuts through the laughter.
00:14No, you're not watching some horror movie. This is what happened to a visitor who found a severed hand in Yosemite National Park.
00:22Running into crime scenes in national parks is unfortunately more common than you think.
00:27Yosemite, for example, holds a record of police investigations, making it the second most dangerous park in the U.S.
00:35Not only that, but this is also a pretty huge place, bigger than some countries like Samoa or Luxembourg.
00:42You can see why this is an ideal place for you to become a missing person photo on a milk carton.
00:48Out of everyone who went missing in Yosemite, Patricia Marie Hicks' case is, I think, the most disturbing one.
00:55Remember the hand I mentioned? Well, it was found in 1983 on Summit Meadow by a visitor.
01:02The police tried to find more clues about this crime evidence, but the case eventually went cold.
01:08In 1988, a skull was discovered, but again the case got stuck.
01:13It was only in 2021, with the help of a genetic genealogy test, that the police finally confirmed this was indeed the remains of Patricia, a woman who had been missing since 1982.
01:27However, not every missing person leaves a trace.
01:30This is the case of Sandra Jensen Hughes, last seen in July 2020.
01:36Sandra was camping alone in the nearby Sierra National Forest when she crashed her vehicle.
01:41Passers-by offered help, but for some uncanny reason, she refused it.
01:46This was the last time anyone ever saw her.
01:49All her stuff was still at her campsite, except for her sleeping bag, found two and a half miles north of where she crashed her car.
01:57Sandra is not the only person still being searched by the police.
02:01In fact, there are more than 30 cold cases of missing people in Yosemite alone, including a guy who separated from his group in 2011 at the top of Upper Yosemite Falls, a man who has been missing since 1972, and even a guy who vanished 116 years ago.
02:19In most cases, people disappear in circumstances less grim than the one involving Patricia Hicks, for example.
02:28But it doesn't make these cases less tragic.
02:31So what are the reasons why people go missing?
02:35First things first.
02:36Yosemite Park is the home to nine waterfalls, including the biggest one in North America, standing at nearly 2,500 feet.
02:44Many people like to visit it to go fishing, kayaking, and hiking.
02:48However, the water stream velocity increases near waterfalls, and falling from a waterfall is not a woody woodpecker experience.
02:56You'll find yourself stuck in a powerful whirlpool or have an unpleasant meeting with rocks, most possibly a smashing one.
03:05Another natural reason may be that central California is prone to extreme storms, which can make the river rise suddenly and even form water spouts.
03:14One more famous attraction in Yosemite National Park are the mountains.
03:20There are more than 10 popular sites, with heights that range from 4,000 feet to 10,850 feet.
03:27Some mountains are so tall, climbers must spend the night in a makeshift camp halfway up the granite wall.
03:33It is quite popular, and even though you need a special permit for these types of rock climbing, you don't need to be a pro to climb smaller mountains.
03:42This explains why so many people get hurt falling from tall places.
03:46Besides, rock climbing causes permanent damage to the mountains, and the valley is prone to rock falls.
03:52Now, if you're like me and are terrified of climbing, the second best option is hiking, which just so happens to be the number one reason people fall in the first place.
04:03The hikes in Yosemite are some of the hardest hikes in California, and you can bet even an experienced hiker can make a mistake and get lost.
04:11In 2024, for example, the body of a former park ranger and pro hiker, Kirk S. Thomas Olson, was found after he tried to venture along an especially complicated trail.
04:2420-year-old Grace Roloff also lost her life in 2024, after slipping and falling while descending Half Dome's climbing cables during a sudden thunderstorm.
04:34And finally, animals.
04:36About 300 distinct species live in Yosemite, and guess what? Wild animals are not your pets.
04:44If you're unlucky, you might wander into a mountain lion den, which is already bad enough, given that these animals are the type that silently stalk their prey.
04:53Not a fun way to go.
04:55But the ones you really should be afraid of are black bears.
04:58They usually only eat tall grass and berries, but they will break into your car, tent, or lodge if they smell food.
05:06And unlike mountain lions, black bears are not afraid of humans.
05:11Now, the National Park Service makes it clear that rescue is not a certainty, and that you must be prepared to get yourself out of whatever trouble you got yourself into.
05:21But how do I do that? You might ask.
05:23Well, here are some pro tips to avoid getting caught in a tight spot.
05:27First, try not to do solo trips.
05:32If you really want to have a me time, then let others know about your plans, like all of them.
05:38Most of those people went missing because their families didn't know about their plans.
05:43Secondly, always pack an emergency supply bag with stuff like a flashlight, compass, knife, multi-tool, paracord, and a thermal blanket.
05:52Remember, you are not Bear Gryllis, and real life is not a fun episode of Naked and Afraid.
05:57Although, if not careful, you might just end up like that.
06:02Heat is also a big problem in Yosemite.
06:04So stay hydrated and go for a hike during cooler parts of the day.
06:09Seriously, drink water.
06:11The lack of water and food can lead to disorientation, a fatal symptom if you are literally in the middle of nowhere.
06:17But I'm visiting Yosemite during the winter.
06:20Well, one more reason to keep your water and food levels up, because you burn more calories when hiking in the snow.
06:28Survival expert Jesse Krebs also recommends always bringing a whistle with you if you need to call for help,
06:35especially if you haven't planned your trip well, which is a huge mistake.
06:40Wilderness is not a place for much improv, I'm afraid.
06:43Now, when it comes to hikes, some are so steep they require a cable route to help hikers.
06:50If the cables are down for some reason, avoid these areas.
06:53And do not rely on the internet or phone services to communicate with others if you find yourself in danger,
06:59because the connection in parks is usually not particularly good.
07:04Oh, and don't feed or engage with wildlife.
07:07I know bears are friendly-shaped, but unfortunately, they are not your friends.
07:12Learn how to safely store your food, so wild animals don't bother your camp and do not feed them.
07:19Fail to comply, and the park might give you a $5,000 fine.
07:24Also, be careful of where and how you drive.
07:28Car crashes are the second most common reason why people need medical assistance in national parks.
07:33So, use tire chains during icy periods, wear your seatbelts, and don't go driving around like you're Dominic Toretto.
07:42And just in case I didn't stress this enough, watch out for the weather.
07:46Not just because water streams are dangerous, but also because lightning is a common occurrence in Yosemite.
07:52A lightning bolt may not strike you, but it may strike a tree, causing a fire or making it fall.
07:58A thunderstorm may trigger rock slides or make a climb slippery, like it happened to Grace Roloff.
08:05And finally, be careful with strangers, okay?
08:08Remember, stranger equals danger, etc.
08:11Well, that surely was fun, light, and not terrifying at all, right?
08:16Well, hopefully now you'll be wary of strangers, nature, and everything in between.
08:21Stay safe, be smart about it, and enjoy the park!
Comments