Callout for Missing Hiker at Sam MacDonald Park
Scenario: On November 20, 2006 a 47 year old male, “avid hiker” told family members in Palo Alto that he was going on a hike in a park. No indication as to which park. When he did not return home the Palo Alto PD was notified. He was reported to be on a medication which could make him dizzy. Early morning November 21 his car was found at the Sam MacDonald parking lot.
At 0315 the initial page was received. Around 7:00 AM 2 MSAR members reported in to the command post at Sam MacDonald with horses. Ready to go on search assignment at about 8:00 when word came in that the subject had called from the pay phone at Jack Brook to report his location. A deputy was dispatched to pick him up and transport him back to the command post and his car. When the subject arrived he was showing no signs of distress or exposure, and was thanking us all for coming to his aid. This was amazing since he did not have warm clothes and it had been a cold night. He said that he spent the night in the vicinity of the Pomponio Trail near the Honor Camp. Apparently he hiked to Jack Brook in the morning.
