[UPDATE 10:52 a.m.] Missing Father and Son Mushroom Hunters Located
According to a tweet from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office,
[The] missing mushroom hunters have been found safe after a long, wet night in the woods. More information to follow.
Gavin McFarlin and his nine-year-old son, Kieran McFarlin, were last seen Saturday at 11:33 a.m. The two had gone hunting for mushrooms in the Big Lagoon area. Their vehicle was eventually found alongside Hwy 101 and a search was began last night.
At approximately 9:55 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office tweeted that the two had been located.
We’ll update when more info comes in.
UPDATE 10:14 a.m.: The Sheriff’s Office just tweeted, “Missing father and son have been found alive and well, but cold. Will release more details soon.”
UPDATE 10:52 a.m.: From the Sheriff’s Office:
Gavin and Kieran McFarlin have been found safe following search and rescue efforts in the Big Lagoon area.
The two missing persons were located around 9:45 a.m. by a passerby driving on U.S. Highway 101. The two subjects told deputies that they had been mushroom hunting when they got lost in the woods. Due to darkness, the two stayed put and made shelter in the woods until daybreak, at which time they were able to hike back out to the highway. The two were located several miles south of their vehicle. They were evaluated and treated on scene by medical personnel for cold exposure.
Earlier Chapters:
- Ongoing Search for Two Lost Mushroom Hunters Near Big Lagoon
- Nine-Year-Old and Father Missing Near Big Lagoon, Search Ongoing
Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules
Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/
Yes! What a relief, nice to have happy endings!
Good to hear some good news… after a long cold night !
Yes , good that they were found.🤘🏻 I love mushrooms 🍄🙂
Awesome update this am…
Outstanding news!!!
So glad for a happy ending. I was once lost in the woods at night, alone, for several hours while I was out mushroom hunting. It is very easy to do, as you are looking down as you walk and not always paying attention to where you are going. I stumbled and slid for hours in profound darkness in the woods, cold and panicked. I was not far from houses, I would have likely been fine hunkering down, but I really, really didn’t want to spend the night out in the woods with the bears. In the end I got lucky. I yelled “Help!” a lot, at the top of my lungs – I was shameless – and also, I was missed, so I was eventually found by friends over a mile from where I started out. Very glad I did not have Search and Rescue called in, but it was close. Yes, staying put is a very good idea. Also, don’t be a fool and go out at sunset like I did – “I’ll just take a quick look out back, just for five minutes!” It happened to be a great year, I was greedy, and those mushroom fairies can lead you astray. Lost my entire haul anyway in the Forest of No Return. What a learning experience for me. So – when going into the woods, even for a walk on a trail, bring a light source, bring warm clothes, bring a compass, bring matches or a lighter – a fire source. A night out without shelter at this time of year can be deadly. And most importantly, just as in hiking, tell someone that you are going after shrooms, where you will be, and when you expect to return.
Good warning. Another thing to bring with you if you can is a good dog. While I have lost myself a few times, my dogs have always known how to get back.
City folk! He put his son at risk with his carelessness. Buy the way whose land was he trespassing on ?
You just made three assumptions in a single comment. Congratulations.
🕯🌳Well I tried to say it the first time but I guess it didn’t take but I think they were taking what they where picking. 🤯👁🇺🇸
No one has ever just gotten lost in the woods? C’mon…
Exactly. Mushroom hunters get lost all the time. There was a whole episode of Survivorman about it.
A good example of why it’s always good to have a butane lighter in your pocket. Also, perhaps one of those pocket size silver colour “space blankets”. Maybe even a compass, for those who don’t understand about moss on the north side of a tree. Good to read they are safe. Giving some serious thought to getting my young kids some survival training. Keep in mind there are many places around here where you can drive off the road and be forced to use your survival skills until someone finds you.
Have you ever been in those coastal spruce forests this time of year, you can’t start a fire with a flamethrower. I keep dry kindling in my car and was at a Big Lagoon county park campsite and there was some wood set under a picnic table to stay “dry”, the only warmth I ever got was from exertion trying to get that damn fire going.
Glad they are safe. This time of year there are dark holes where you need a flashlight at high noon, it gets dark quick.
Once, I read the 20 step test for edible mushrooms; the final step was to try them and see what happens. That’s the crapshoot part of hunting mushrooms. Who needs casinos?
If you’re venturing into dense forest carry a game string. I like the belt mounted unit with yellow string and it’s biodegradable.
Find yourself a wood rat nest. They’re all over this country. Coastal and inland. Kick it apart.( watch for fleas) Then use the road flair you have with you and you’ll have a fire If you don’t have a flair the middle of the nest will start with one match
I do my best to get lost in the woods at least once a year.
A candle is a great addition to any survival pack. Lighting anything on the Northcoast this time of year is a challenge and a candle helps since you can keep a flame on it. Dig deep into dead alder and you find dry punk…. makes good tinder.
In all of my packs I have a self-made fire kit with a tea lite candle, matches, and newspaper vacuum sealed and waterproof.
North west- great idea on using wood rats’ nests.
Whan i go out in the woods i always carry a deck of cards with me, (forget the compass) if i ever feel like i am lost I sit down and play solitare.Someone will always tap me on the shoulder and tell me the card I misplayed.
Funniest comment I have read on this site!
Don’t worry, I always have an eye on you
Gavo!