Missing Hiker’s Companions Located and They Know He Was in Good Health Monday Morning
Missing man, Daniel Komins, is to the right in this photo of a group of hikers posted to Reddit by Arjun Mukerji, one of the group depicted. [Photo used with permission of Arjun Mukerji]
The missing hiker, Daniel Komins, summited Trinity Alp’s Thompson Peak Sunday, August 11th. He sent a celebration picture to his girlfriend Carli Hollis with two unidentified hikers by his side. This photograph would be the last direct form of communication Carli would receive from Daniel.
On Thursday, August 15th, the identity of the orange jacketed hiker was pinpointed when a Reddit user named “naura” uploaded a stunning photograph of Thompson Peak with four hikers admiring the view. Daniel is clearly in the right of the photograph demonstrated by the khaki sun hat and black, puffy down coat.
After direct messaging the Reddit account and confirming these observations, Arjun Mukerji introduced himself as the hiker clad in orange. He said he was “on a 2-night backpacking trip up Canyon Creek Trail with the objective of reaching Thompson Peak”.
Topographic Map of the Region where Daniel was encountered. The green dot approximately indicates where the group saw Daniel Monday morning.
Arjun recounted his group’s encounter with Daniel: “He was totally relaxed and chill. We encountered him along Upper Canyon Creek above the lakes around 6,500’ elevation. He said he had been up Thompson like six times and knew the route; he guided us up it. He was in the element and having fun, happy to be up there in the alps.” The group also encountered Daniel the following morning when he hiked through their camp. “We were packing up to hike out and he was heading to L Lake.”
Arjun became aware of his photograph’s importance “via the Facebook page Trinity Alps Wilderness- 30th Anniversary Celebration… which posted a link” to an article describing the missing hiker. He recognized the hiker that had guided him up Thompson Peak which compelled him to contact Trinity County Sheriff’s Office. “The dispatcher noted it all down,” he explained yesterday. “[T]hen shortly afterward I got a call from a sheriff who asked some more questions. They said they had helicopters on the case and a team going in tonight and one tomorrow morning. So, I get the impression they are mobilizing the SAR now.”
Facebook Profile picture of Arjun Mukerji[Photo used with permission of Arjun Mukerji]
Arjun was able to provide a thorough description of Daniel’s intended route from Monday to Wednesday. “He said he was heading over to the Stuart Fork Drainage, I believe to Sapphire Lake. He intended to go there by scrambling up to L Lake and then over to the north ridge of Sawtooth Mountain… once in the Stuart Fork Drainage, he planned to exit via Bear Creek Trail to his car at the Canyon Creek Trailhead.” This itinerary could prove invaluable to Search and Rescue operations.
After hearing Daniel’s itinerary from Arjun, Carli expressed relief knowing, “more specifically where he is going. He told one of the hikers that he was going up to Sawtooth Peak. And I didn’t think he would go up there so that’s some new info about where we can look.”
Since Daniel’s failure to return on Wednesday, Carli combed social media for any sign of Daniel at the Trinity Alps that weekend. She expressed how “it felt good to see a picture from the other group. It gave me hope that they had an idea of where he was headed.”
Daniel Komins is a 34-year-old EMT and a passionate outdoorsman. He is 5’9” and 150 pounds. He wears glasses and carries a blue backpack.
If you or someone you know has any information, contact Trinity County Sheriffs Department at (530) 623-2611.
Daniel Komins sent this photo to his girlfriend Sunday. [Photo used with permission of Carli Hollis]
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🕯🌳All Hope’s at finding him safe and well.🖖🕯
I wonder why they killed him for??
This would have been where he was headed by the route description. This is taken from the top of Little Granite Peak near the top of the Bear Creek trail. Looking NW across the Canyon Creek drainage.
Nice pic. I always like your Trinity wilderness shots.
Is that a previous year or early summer this year?
A previous year when I was in excellent shape. If I was in that kind of shape now I’d go run that route and look for him…. This trek was a 20 mile day partially with snowshoes and the first trek on that trail that season… lots of downed trees. Way back in 2007.
Nice.
If it was this year you would have needed a snowmobile unless waiting till May.
Those clouds didnt look like May clouds, I figured it was older.
Right on.
The family would be lucky to have you out there.
What’s your take on TCSO SAR?
My ‘puter says the photo is from April. Must not have been a heavy snow year.
Thankfully I’ve never had to need help from the Trinity County SAR. I’ve known some folks on it and they are good folks. Anyone willing to volunteer their time and risk their lives to help others are good people.
Very true.
Another view looking North. Sawtooth on the right and Canyon Creek Lakes below.
Good luck out there.
I really hope this turns out well. How great that the itinerary of Daniel is up to date from other hikers, and Daniel’s an EMT – so if hes hurt he can tend to himself better than many.
Good luck. Good luck. Good luck.
I’m not sure on TCSOs abilities and resources for search and rescue, but I would try to hire a private search group by tonight if no new news.
Regular TCSO operations are generally severely understaffed….
The pictures provided in this update should help searchers and the public should report any encounters with these individuals . Good update
The scramble down to Sapphire is no joke from the ridge above El Lake and Bear Creek trail is often very overgrown. So he was planning on walking down Stuart Fork trail to Bear or staying up on Sawtooth ridge? Hoping this turns out for the best and he is hunkered down waiting for help.
Sound like he’s going to smith lake/Morris lake through el lake. That’s some tough scrambling. But so nice. It’s easy to lose yourself in that paradise. Seems a little over reacting by family and friends— first off, there’s no cell service anywhere out there. Maybe enough to send a text message at the top of Thompson, but nowhere else. And give the guy a break who sends texts messages when they are backpacking? The whole idea is to check out for awhile. He’s fine. Just having a good time.
How are they overreacting if he was due at work yesterday (Thursday)?
His girlfriend says he often sends several messages a day.
There is no service out there. How could he send messages? I am 100% sure of this fact.
Some of the gps tracker services use satellite relays.
This one, for example:
https://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=102
Actually, there really is quite a bit of cell service in the Trinities now IMO.
He was also very responsible in his planning/telling people and sounds prepared, this should end well.
Thank you Kym for the updates.
Wrong about that. No cell service in that part. Let the guy disconnect and have some peace. Geez, helicopters? I will bet he shows up tomorrow tan and happy.
Overreacting?? People go missing all the time and are never seen again. Dan is an experienced hiker and EMT and when he says he’s going to be somewhere at a specific time then he will be there. That’s who he is. Your comment is unhelpful in finding him. He sends text messages to let his girlfriend know that he’s safe. He would not miss work just to stay out in the wilderness. Hes missing. I’ve personally hiked his itinerary and it’s not easy and there is plenty of room for injury. Literal injury. You dont knlw a single thing about him. Keep your ignorant comments to yourself.
Dan’s brother here. Thanks for your support.
To clarify the daily messages normally sent to his girlfriend and/or our parents are from his Garmin inReach mini GPS device. It sends messages out from locations without cell service. He presses a button and a preselected “all according to plan” gets messaged out. He didn’t send out any such messages beginning Monday. And the Garmin has an SOS button, which has not sent out any such SOS messages.
This lack a GPS communication is definitely adding to our family’s concern.
I truly hope he is found safe and soon. Many blessings to you and your family. My thoughts are with you all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family !
I stand corrected. I assumed cell service/text message. I hope he’s ok. It is rough country. I still bet he’ll be found safe and wondering why everybody is worried.
Hey Zack!! Keeping Daniel and your fam in my thoughts and prayers!! Daniel is a badass and he’s going to have a great story for us in the end!! xo
He may have lost the device during whatever happened to cause such a delay. I am going to trust his outdoors skills have him holding up somewhere as he waits for help. I will offer meditations of peace and safety for all involved until he is found.
Over-reacting? The guy is late coming out and no-show at work. Solo travel in a very rugged wilderness is a good way to disappear forever. People get over-confident. Do the trip five or six times, you think you are invincible. He’s still young enough to think he’s immortal. One small slip and you are done hiking. Hope he has basic equipment like a flashlight to signal planes and others at night. W.C., you sound very young yourself. Hope you survive your youth. Oh, to do it again. Youth is wasted on the young.
Obviously, from the story and pics, service is available at least in some areas.
I work with his brother…I pray it is not more serious than that
I’m actually his cousin and how dare you say we are over reacting because we care and are concerned about a loved one who was expected home 3 days ago! [edit] I pray you never have to worry about the well being of someone you care about. [edit]
Over reacting, when he was due back on Wednesday and to be at work on Thursday? I think any of us would be worried being two days late and no communication!
Wow the power of your site kym and great use of social media!!!!
Am hoping hes found soon!
Carli if i was you id get in touch with Diana Totten in case the tech rescue team is needed, Diana is an absolutely incredible resource in finding lost folks!
Also theres a lot of folks around junction city who know the alps incredibly well. It may be good to have a friend hang out at the trailhead and ask everyone coming out if theyve seen him.
Seriously hoping for the best outcome 💗
With all the National guard in the area busting pot, they should have plenty of resources available to save a life. Shoot PG&E is in the area with some good technology on the bottom, this rescue should be ABC. Put our tax dollars to work.
🕯🌳You made a very good point. It would VERY considerate of them to lend a hand.
Kudos great point.
He probably doesnt have enough cash or property they could take on his person so the pot cops wont be interested.
If the scramble over to Sapphire is anything like the scramble Thompsons, then there are countless opportunities to trip and break a leg or hit your head. Prayers for everyone involved. I wish I was in the area to help look.
This is sad to hear I hope he is ok. At least he can get access to water. I hope they find him soon.
I worry about rattle bites.
Not at that elevation.
believe it or not, there are timber rattlesnakes up there. i found one in the large boulder area just below lower canyon creek lake. But timber’s don’t look for trouble and rarely strike even if provoked. this search needs to focus on the slope down to mirror/sapphire from the ridge. the route to the ridge from L is not that technical. he most likely was using the high alp route map on PBASE. i found that map in 2007 and have hiked a few routes on it, but not the one down from the ridge to mirror.
Granted. Rare at 6k’ and even more so at 7k+ which it sounds like where he went.
Hmmm…. I wonder if he ‘hiked at night’. Might explain things.
Background: Was up there many years ago… a huge full moon (like a couple days ago).
Moonlight was so bright, and the reflected light on the white granite was unreal.
We came out the next day. A ways down the trail, we heard a noise off the trail.
Stopped (thought maybe a bear)… and a guy came staggering out of the brush,
clothes were torn, he kinda looked like hell.
Said he took off at night from Sapphire Lake, in the bright moonlight,
went over some ridges, got lost, fell down a ravine, and finally came out on the Canyon Creek Trail.
He asked where he was. We told him.
Unfortunately, he was off a couple canyons off from the trail where he left his vehicle.
He had a long back-country hike to get to his trailhead.
Hiking at night in the mountains is an excellent way to triple the danger of solo hiking which is already sky-high. Outstanding way to lose an eye or break a limb or your neck, rendering you helpless and unable to signal rescuers or even move. Slow, agonizing death will follow. Considering a tattoo? Try: I am not immortal.
I’ve had some wonderful full moon treks across the Sierra granite, the Marble Mountain karst and through the white Trinities. If life was all about minimizing risks no one would venture into the wilderness at all… maybe not even leave the house. Of course we’d all die of heart disease, or the like, at 50.
Life is a STD that is 100% fatal.
This is the view down to Mirror Lake, Sapphire, Etc.
Note to self:
Dont Scramble alone
Wear bright clothing, I suspect a dark blue jacket and tan hat will blend in nicely with the granite and shadows
Found these old reference pics, I took these shots July 11, 2010 from the distinct notch on the ridgeline above El Lake. First is looking back towards the prominent Thompson Peak. Second shot is behind me is the Stuart Fork drainage where he was to be headed including Mirror and Sapphire Lake.
Mirror Lake, Sapphire down below (hard to see)
Thank you for writing this article and Arjun for providing updates to the search efforts, that is very helpful.
Thank you to the Trinity County Search and Rescue
You might not be able to tell from the comments, but Daniel and your family are very much in the hearts of the community and we hope he is found safe and soon. There are good people waiting for him and good people looking for him, so keep faith that all that can be done is being done.
Second that Aclark!!
Thanks for your support.
We feel very fortunate that there are that there is so much support from the community. The search and rescue efforts are very substantial.
The description of Daniel by Arjun in the article fit my brother to a t. He loves the Alps and is so excited meeting people up there and sharing the experience. When he is there going on backpacking trips, he is completely in his element, absolutely loving life. And we are as hopeful in this situation as we could be given the circumstances.
Thanks for your support.
thank you
Anyone remember the 70 something yr old hunter that was missing for 19 DAYS about 5 yrs ago on NW side of Hull Mtn in the MNF ? He and his partner split up at dawn w plans to meet up for lunch and that was it. partner couldn’t find him, SAR couldn’t find him, family and friends couldn’t find him; finally another group of hunters ran across him, less than a half mile from Spruce Grove Campsites. He slipped in a slick dry ravine, conked his head, came to a tad disoriented, still had his rifle and landed by a small spring so he stayed put. Good boy scout ! He ate a lizard and a snake and made a bed of pine needles and he was JUST FINE……..water being the key and not wasting his energy moving about, Altho knowing where he was I still can’t believe he didn’t try to make it back up to M1. Apparently he thought sticking w the water was key to his survival ……….I just read on a Redding new site that Daniel’s GPS gizmo is no longer “ functioning properly” 🙏🏼 Hope he gets spotted by a chopper and no SARs folks get in trouble, that is tough terrain .
Gene Penaflor was very resourceful (and lucky). My heart goes out to the family, friends, professionals and volunteers involved in Daniel’s recovery. Peace be with you!
I wasnt a Bigfoot Beliver until I had an encounter just 3 years ago near Dyerville. Your sighting just feeds the flames of belief. Thanks for that, I’ve been trying to rationalize the tree knock and telepathy ….cause that all just sounds crazy. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
You carry a Randall? I appreciate a good blade, but it’s hard to justify dinging up a $1k knife in everyday carry…
Pheromone reaction. In the south called the skunk ape. Those that have encountered mister sasquatch seemed to be prewired to petrification and abject fear. It’s quite the defense mechanism from the skookum.
Down Stuart fork. Sawteeth on left
Wouldn’t that be looking up Stuart Fork?
Yes, but you’re looking down into it?
I suppose it’s a linguistic ambiguity.
Thinking about you and your family…praying for Daniel’s safe return.
Morris meadow down
Emerald, Sapphire
Being very experienced, I’m hoping he can get in a safe position to build a signal fire. He would be found quickly. I’m praying for a good conclusion.
I think your headline is confusing to people. Some on Facebook are reporting the missing hiker as found – when it appears his companions were the ones found. Just FYI.
I’m sorry that people are having trouble understanding it. It seems pretty clear to me. I even went on to stress that they last saw him Monday. As it’s Friday, it would seem that would provide a backup clarity for those who misread the first part.
The California OES has activated a statewide mutual aid response. My county is sending twenty skilled mountain rescue team members to the search today and tonight.
There will be hundreds of experienced mountain rescue searchers, myself included, combing those mountains tomorrow morning. Let’s hope we find him quickly and healthy.
That’s wonderful to hear!
Wow. That’s awesome. I had no idea there were hundreds of SAR people available. Great news.
In the California Region for the Mountain Rescue Association (CalMRA), there are currently 20 Regular teams, 8 Associate teams, and several Exofficio. Most team provide Mutual Aid Support anywhere within the borders of California (and sometimes beyond). Our team maintains a roster of around 60 active members and a whole slew of reserve members. And we are certainly not the largest. Always a good idea to call in the cavalry if you are concerned for a loved one in the wilderness. http://www.crmra.org/
How great many thanks to you!!!
Please let the community know if&how we can supporr you and your fellow searchers.
You are much appreciated!
Thank you, that really is so awesome!
thank you!!
I have been to L lake not much of a trail.More like cross country hiking.Would not do it myself.My hunting partner is a expert hiker with extensive knowledge packing in the Alps.We did a cross country to sapphire lake.he knew where we were at all times.
SO this witness’s story to me doesn’t make sense. You can’t “exit down Bear Creek” from Stuart Fork, at least it would be ridiculously hard. We need to seriously think about this route. If the missing hiker was hiking down from Thompson peak, along Sawtooth Ridge, and down to L lake (which is near Canyon Creek), it would be very difficult and quite pointless to then go back up to go over to Mirror and Sapphire, to only come back over the arduous ridge yet again. Hiking from Mirror to Sapphire is insane and nearly impossible unless you know of the two routes that are not well marked (One is a scramble straight down boulders along the bedrock, the other passes under a waterfall). If you try to go any other way, the polished granite alongside Sapphire is curved downward, slippy and smooth, a thousand feet up. It’s no joke. I almost fell off one time, and have heard of people falling up there.
L lake is not that spectacular and not worth just going to just go back up thousands of feet over the ridge to Mirror/Sapphire/Stuart Fork, only to have to come out back again.
Secondly, hiking down Stuart Fork puts you 20 miles away from the Canyon Creek trailhead and is nowhere near Bear Creek, and requires a long hitchhike just to Junction City, and another 20 miles up the back road. If he was going to hike out at Stuart Fork, he would have probably left a car at Bridge Camp in Stuart Fork, not Canyon Creek trailhead.
It makes more sense that the hiker went over to Mirror/Sapphire while he was coming down from Thompson, then backtracked to go down to L lake, either then continuing down from there to Canyon Creek (which is hard to navigate), or doing a crazy scramble up to Smith Lake, and down Bear Creek, which it sounds like he was planning. If he chose the latter, wow, that is a crazy hike, and probably like two people do it every year. But it would make sense given the witness account.
So timeline:
Thompson to Sawtooth to Mirror to Sapphire back to Sawtooth down to L lake up ridge to Smith lake, possibly over to Alpine lake because of its proximity, then down Bear Creek toward Canyon Creek trailhead, which it goes nearly directly to. Hope this helps.
Bigfoot, I totally agree w your analysis.
I came to this conclusion in my mind, but got out the maps to confirm, it is the only sensible option, if the poor man still has senses. Being this late doesn’t sound like the picture his family is painting. Then again, IF he just sprained an ankle or twisted a knee , he could also just be hunkering down for a few extra days to be able to keep going. Perhaps the InReach just went flying 🙏🏼
For what it’s worth I agree with your assessment. Although, when I was the age of Mr. Komins I had enough vigor and physical capacity that taking a route that added an extra 5 or 6 thousand feet of ascent would not have phased me.
Thompson to Mirror to Kalmu Pass, maybe sidetrack to L, back to the ridge, to Twin Pine Pass, East of Sawtooth to Smith then Alpine lakes to Little Granite Peak to Bear Creek trail. It’s a route I would have taken except the other direction.
Since the high apline routes aren’t official I’m using this map as a reference :
https://www.pbase.com/losthiker/image/55625310
Rechecked the original story. His last known position was at Upper Canyon Creek Lake on Sunday.
So the logical route is to L lake, to Mirror (maybe down to Emerald and Sapphire ), back to the ridge towards Sawtooth, Smith and Alpine lakes and finally down Bear Creek Trail.
I hope the SAR teams have someone hiking a route similar plus a team hiking from Little Granite Peak towards Sawtooth.
I know, it’s easy playing keyboard quarterback. I’m sure the SAR teams know what they are doing. I just hope the IC knows the Alps.
Rechecked the original story. His last known position was at Upper Canyon Creek Lake on Monday morning.
I see I thought it said they saw him up on Thompson Peak. Then I agree with your assessment. A little pit stop to L is pretty much the way to Mirror going up. Geez where is this guy. He must have deviated from his original plan as they are saying now, because I’m sure people have been searching this area. My gut was telling me he fell into a crevasse, but don’t know if there’s even ice up there at this point. (There was plenty of ice a month ago). If he is in a crevasse, he’s probably got no signal which would explain the lack of gps and cell, and would be tough to get out. I think some searchers should scour the ice fields in these areas if there are any.
It may seem illogical that he could fall into such a place, but ice fields up in the Alps are actually deceptively smooth and easy to walk on, and offer a nice reprieve from walking on unstable boulders and slippy gravel. But they are also mini-glaciers, and glaciers have crevasses, therefore one should not walk on these places. Him being an experienced hiker should know this, but it said he didn’t know the area that well, so who knows.
Oh. I hope they find him alive and not too bunged up. These things tend to gnaw at me, even when it’s a stranger.
I know of a geezer who teaches at UCSF who goes off on long hikes up into the Sierra every year, but he always goes with a buddy. They hike together to a specific spot, but go on solo day hikes once they get there. That way they can be alone in the wilderness, but have a safety net.
Maybe you need to be over 50 before you think of these things, but….
My fingers are crossed for this young man.
Well, I’m almost 50, and I hadn’t thought of that. Not trying to be facetious or anything, but it’s very important when people who have good ideas share them. So, thanks. It is a very good idea.
I, too, hope for this man’s safe return.
Oh, good. I’ve had a crummy day and it feels nice to know I’ve at least given someone a good tip. xoxox
Praying, knowing nothing. Just feel he must (maybe be near where he was supposedly seen on Monday)…but definitely within several hours of his last message location… whenever he would have stopped for refreshment and message. Definitely don’t believe everything(one); rely on proven facts and past behavior. Don’t give up.
Praying, knowing nothing. Just feel he must be definitely within several hours of his last message location when he would have next stopped and messaged. Wouldn’t he have sent a ‘good morning’ message Monday morning?? Don’t believe everything(one); rely on proven facts. Don’t give up.
FYI Update, since I read through most of these posts and did not see it referenced.
He was found deceased.
A CHP Helicopter spotted his backpack and a SAR team was directed to his location to assist with the recovery.
https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2019/aug/18/local-man-daniel-komins-found-dead-trinity-alps-pr/
My thoughts go out to his family and friends as well as the professionals and volunteers that assisted in the discovery and recovery. May this bring some level of closure.
If you follow the update almost at the bottom of the story and they succeeding update links on every article, they take you through the entire sad saga until Daniel was found deceased.