“This is a very dangerous mountain that my organization tries to alert PCT hikers to, because they think it’s Southern California, it’s no big deal, but the PCT goes to 9,000 feet on this mountain, and it peaks at over 10,000 feet. And for the early hikers, when there’s snow up there, it’s extremely dangerous,” Tarr said. “There’s a lot of stories on this mountain, and a lot of people who have gone missing.”
Budinski decided to avoid the heavy snow on the trail and instead took a safer route along Black Mountain Road to reconnect with the Pacific Crest Trail on the north side of San Jacinto Peak. He made it back to the Pacific Crest Trail, according to Tarr, who says another hiker confirmed seeing Budinski’s camp set up along the PCT. From his camp, it’s about a 16-mile descent to the base of the mountain, where Budinski had plans to pick up a package from a “
trail angel,” who are informal volunteers that support PCT hikers along their journey.
These data points were expected to make the search for Budinski easier, Tarr said. Part of the foundation’s mission is conducting search efforts after official efforts have been suspended, which often occurs when the missing hiker is believed to be deceased.
fofound.org
