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May 29, 2005
David Koch Missing in Canada
Long time industry friend Gary Bolles contacted me recently to help spread the word about his friend who is missing on a mountain in Canada. For those of you who know Gary, he's a great great person and deserves a bit of a viral word of mouth on this if you can help. (not to mention his friend who needs everyone's help to ensure his safe return). This should be the time and place where blogs can really show their strength and value-add.
Shel and Robert posted something on it and hopefully others will start. It's important to ensure the Canadian authorities don't give up the search for his friend David Koch, the associate publisher of DMReview.
Here's his message:
A friend of mine, David Koch, is missing on a mountain in Canada, and I'm looking for help to publicize his situation so the Canadian authorities don't give up looking.
Dave's the associate publisher on DMReview, a Thomson/SourceMedia publication. He drove from Seattle toward Vancouver on Wednesday, stopping in late afternoon to take a tram up a mountain he and his wife had visited years before. Apparently he missed the tram back, and attempted to hike down. He hasn't been heard from since.
A search effort was organized, but it's looking like the authorities in Canada are starting to give up.
Dave is a truly great person, and I simply can't imagine that he could be left on his own at this point. I'm looking for any contacts you can suggest in the national media - NYTimes, the wires, broadcast, etc. - who might be able to recommend a reporter who could help to publicize Dave's situation. If you have any ideas as to how we should go about the process, please email me or call me any time day or night.
May 29, 2005 in In the News, On People & Life | Permalink
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Comments
I hiked a Grouse Mountain trail on Saturday with my two mountain climbing dogs looking for David Koch. When we hike they fan out from me about 40 to 50 meters on each side of the trail. They are like little mountain goats.
We hike that mountain from bottom to top and back down again at least once a week. There was a summer when I hiked it every day. I know that mountain better than the back of my hand.
I saw a few seach and rescue guys wandering about. The search and rescue operation seemed to be disorganized and half hearted. Everyone I talked to seemed to think David was dead.
They refused my offer of assistance saying that they were only allowing official search and rescue personnel.
That mountain is climbed by 2500 people a day during nice weekends like this last one. It seems to me that they could have organised those people to assist with the search better than they did.
He is a big husky guy. He would not even be near to death from dehydration yet if he is lost on that mountain somewhere. It is so wild that you can see bears and hear the Grouse thumping and so close to civilization that you can hear car horns honking below.
They should not give up. They should use local hikers who know the trail intimately and they should search systematically up the mountain in a grid pattern.
God bless David and the searchers who are looking for him. They will find him, God willing. And you are very close to God on that mountain.
Posted by: Kathleen | May 30, 2005 6:47:38 PM
To the person who commented on the search being "Half Hearted" and "Disorganized"; I must take exception.
You have absolutely no idea how difficult it would be to organize 2500 people to help out in a search. We would know nobody's skill level, none of you would know how to use a radio, and 90% of you wouldn't even have the equipment or training to conduct the search.
The SAR people aren’t just wandering about. They are being directed from base to complete certain tasks. They record where they've been and report back to base regularly. The search is organized, methodical, and based on probabilities and best practices developed over many years.
Each searcher has completed a basic six week course and hundreds of hours of additional training. On top of that, each volunteer has probably conducted hundreds of searches, or, if they are a member in training they are with an experienced volunteer. On top of that, many searchers specialize in rope rescue, tracking, swift water rescue, helicopter rescue, avalanche rescue and mountain rescue.
The people you saw on the grind and perhaps saw in the parking lot are the tip of the iceberg. They are the ones resting or being given an easier task (and believe me the Grind in one of the easiest trails on the mountain). There are over 20 trails going down that mountain, some of them mere routes. We send out teams of two or three to comb these trails. Each one has, at this point, been covered up to three times. They've used IR cameras, dog teams, trained trackers, attraction techniques, and sign cutting. Yesterday they rappelled down cliffs, crawled through undergrowth, and climbed up running creak beds.
One searcher I saw was bleeding from about 50 scratches on his arms and legs. Another was patching blisters that were already three days old, and didn't have time to heal. I met forestry workers who had climbed up and down the mountain four times in one day, not a record by any means, but then they are not going fast because they have to be thorough. I’ve seen sunburned and dehydrated searchers come back to base to wolf down some food, and be back out in the field after 20 minutes rest.
I know you mean well, and I would suggest that if you want to help out, bring the searchers food, water and support. They are volunteers taking time off from work and school, and they feel the fact that they haven't been able to find him. If you still want to help, apply to become a member, but be aware that SAR requires over 500 hours of volunteer time a year.
Finally, NSR and the 10 or so neighboring search teams being called in from as far away as the Sunshine Coast, Whistler, and the Fraser Valley are professionals in every sense of the word. They are dedicated, exceptionally skilled, and determined. I know because I’ve been a member of one of those neighboring teams for five years and I’ve been on the search for David since Friday the 27th.
Posted by: lithohedron | May 31, 2005 2:05:23 PM
Get up and call somebody, CNN, your congressman, member of parliament Fox News, your local news, light a fire under this story.
Family frustrated over search for missing hiker
Last updated Jun 2 2005 01:28 PM PDT
CBC News
VANCOUVER – The search for a missing American tourist on Grouse Mountain has entered a new phase. Rescue teams are now using dogs to search the south face of the mountain and a grid search is planned for the weekend.
David Koch as seen on security camera video
There was a glimmer of hope Thursday when searchers found a sweater they think may belong to David Koch on one of the mountain's trails.
The search so far has turned up few other clues in the disappearance of Koch, and his sister is frustrated that attention in the case may be waning.
Speaking to CBC News from her Iowa home, Karen Koch says it took six days – and many calls to U.S. politicians – before the American Consulate got involved.
David Koch
"Once the American Consulate did get the word through Washington, they finally did show up on the mountain on Tuesday," she said.
Koch says she appreciates the thousands of hours spent by rescuers looking for her brother, but she wonders why they haven't accepted help from search crews across the border.
The lack of leads has led to speculation Koch might have disappeared on purpose. Search and rescue officials says they've investigated the possibility, but say there is no evidence of that. Karen Koch agrees, saying her brother is happily married and just moved into a new home.
The 36-year-old vanished more than a week ago after taking the Skyride to the top of the mountain. His ticket was never scanned for the return trip and his rental car was found in the parking lot.
Other than being spotted a few times on security camera videotapes, there has been no sign of the Wisconsin man.
Posted by: kathleen | Jun 2, 2005 6:24:06 PM
I am a local Vancouver resident and I hiked up and down Grouse Mountain today. I saw 3 search and resue people on the main trail with dogs, a search helicopter with front mounted infrared camera flying constantly up and down the mountain, and 6 weary looking searchers at the mountain base.
The search is being treated seriously, and must be handled by local trained search staff - the mountain is rugged with cliffs, dense tree cover.
Posted by: cynixnc | Jun 2, 2005 9:28:46 PM
Please take a few moments out of your busy day and press these two members of the Canadian Government to increase and improve the search efforts for David Koch, last seen May 25, 2005 at
8:00 p.m. in the Chalet at the summit of Grouse Mountain in North
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It will only take a moment of
your time and time may be running out.
Provincial British Columbia Member of the Legislature for Grouse Mountain Area
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.danieljarvismla.bc.ca
Office:
Room 201
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC
V8V 1X4
Phone: 250 356-3078
Fax: 250 387-9104
Constituency:
311 - 1200 Lynn Valley Road
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 2A2
Phone: 604 775-0803
Fax: 604 775-0883
Federal Canadian Member of Parliament for Grouse Mountain Area
Don Bell
Constituency: North Vancouver
Province: British Columbia Telephone: (613) 995-1225 Fax: (613) 992-7319
Email: [email protected]
Hill Office
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Constituency Office
1200 Lynn Valley Road Unit 302
North Vancouver, British
Columbia
V7J2A2
Posted by: kathleen | Jun 3, 2005 7:30:21 AM
What was he wearing when he disappeared and are there any strange circumstances? I understand that he got up there and was too late to take the last tram down? Also that someone found a sweater that they believe may have belonged to him, which seems strange considering how cold it gets up there. Im also curious about his occupation and financial well being.
Posted by: Gromit | Jun 3, 2005 1:25:29 PM
Re: What happened to David Koch, I spoke with a friend this morning who is a world class mountaineer: Kilamanjaro (Africa), Elbrus (Chechnea), Aconagua (Argentina) and I asked her whether she thought that Dave was still alive.
Although she is a tiny person less than 5 feet tall she has contributed to search and rescue efforts above 20,000 feet. She has climbed the Grouse Grind up, down and back up again in the time it takes most men to climb up. She said: You don't start or hold any preconcieved ideas about what happened or whether the person is dead or alive. You clear your mind of that. You look at all the evidence and the background and personality of the missing person. You keep your mind open to every possibility and let the evidence lead you where it will. I asked her what was the longest time she had heard of a hiker missing in the wilderness to survive and she said 35 days. We are a long way from 35 days.
Posted by: Kathleen | Jun 4, 2005 10:17:18 AM
This is Dave's sister Karen speaking...
I did this interview for Scott Robarts last evening please read it if you can....http://indiescribe.typepad.com/
Just want to say to the conspiracy theorists on the supposition that my brother took off, and yes we did address this in e-mail to you personally as well, (though there is a part of me that at this point would welcome the luxery of that supposition...as an "If oh God if only please let this be true" I could forgive him in a second and wrap him in my arms, if in fact it was true , at least I would be comforted by the fact that my brother was indeed alive and well)
My brother had been to Grouse Mountain before, he gets to Vancouver maybe twice a year due to his route on buisness...and has even been there, to Grouse Mountain, by himself and with his wife Suzanne previously when they both came to visit Vancouver. This particular instance he was traveling between buisness locations, that being Seattle which he left Wednesday...and towards Vancouver Wednesday evening. He crossed the border into Canada at 6:30pm...stopped briefly and purchased a drink and a snack along the way..arrived at Grouse Mountain at 8:00pm, and rode the tram at 8:30pm...I know in my mind that he had already envisioned having been at Grouse Mountain before, which path he was probably going to travel, regardless of time but ohh he probaly could make it if he hurried..It would be a path that he had not taken before to see something new (to get the most bang for his buck so to speak, making the most of his time, rather than see an area or take a trail he had traversed before)...(my dad always took the scenic route when we traveled growing up...it was always about seeing something new that you had not seen before along the way) (Why he did not check into his hotel first, is that he would have never made it back to the mountain in time to sight see while he was there in Vancouver as he had 2 buiness meetings the next day and his plane was to leave Thursday evening, and had spent a few hours driving in the car what better way to stretch one's legs..(and yes my brother would rather be with nature, than go out for a beer, or a round of golf, or sit alone in a hotel room in order to center himself)(He spent part of this recent Easter weekend taking my sister Kisten and his nephew canoeing in fact) You see him in the video footage taking long and puposefull strides, knowing he would have to hurry to make his desired destination as he glances at the clock to check the time, my brother was double checking the time, locking it in his mind as he never carries a watch, (it bothers his wrist he says)The clock is also located where the suvellience camera is kept so perhaps making it seem like he is glancing around, when in fact he is looking directly at the clock. He hurries off to his desired destination, a mental goal he is off to conquer in a way...My guess was Dam Mountain as he probaly not gotten that far on previous visits to Grouse Mountain..
This is about all the energy I have to respond to for now, please look at the interview I did for Scott's blog as well.
http://indiescribe.typepad.com/
God please keep my brother safe, and please bless all those that have searched for my brother these past very long days and to those that go out tomorrow as well to search for him...A heartfelt thanks to all the outpouring of support to my family (For Dave especially, as well as my mom (Ardell Koch), Dave's siblings..including myself (his sister Karen), his sister Kisten, brother Erik, my sister Korrine, (and his 5 nieces and nephews who adore him so much) and importantly Dave's wife Suzanne who truly is a sister to me...your well wishes are truly heard by us...
Pray also for my Mother whose birthday is tomorrow, Monday June 6th...
Thank you all so much Karen Koch [email protected]
Posted by: Karen Koch, Dave's sister on June 5, 2005 05:51 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karen: I just came back from David's SAR camp on Capilano road near the fish hatchery on the way to Grouse Mountain. I couldn't believe how big and well organized it was. There were SAR vehicles from Washington, Coquitlam, North Shore Search and Rescue etc.
There were only four people in the camp to greet me because everyone else, over 100 searchers and fifteen family members were out on Grouse mountain finding your brother Dave.
It is driving with rain, which is a very good thing because that will wash away the scents of other hikers who have been on the mountain and leave only Dave's scent.
I dropped off 15 dozen Tim Horton's assorted doughnuts for the searchers to make up for my attitude last week. Tim Horton's doughnuts are to Canadians what crack cocaine is to crack addicts. But I digress.
You would have been so impressed by the setup of the SAR. It was like a big mobile army unit. The people there were so kind to me that I started to cry because I remembered how indebted to them for saving my beloved son six years ago. If I had lost my son I would be a different person today. My son's life has a price above rubies.
When I dropped off the doughnuts at the SAR camp I became very emotional for that reason and started to cry. I so want those searchers to find your Dave alive.
One last point, about two years ago I was hiking up Seymour Mountain in winter. I thought that I was okay because I thought that I had left my headlamp in my parka pocket because I could feel something like a headlamp. When I got to the top of the mountain in the dark I reached for the headlamp and found a shower head that I had put there to remind me that it needed to be replaced. No one knew where I was and if I had slipped I don't think I would have been easily found. People do stupid things like that.
So Dave probably made a stupid decision like I did and got lost. But like me, I am sure that he is a survivor.
We do not have the luxury of believing that Dave voluntarily left the mountain. There are years down the road when we can sort out that scenario.
Right now we have to focus on the possibility that he is alive and waiting desperately for rescue because that is the time limited scenario.
I am praying like crazy for you and your family and for Dave's save return.
Your friend, Kathleen
Posted by: Kathleen | Jun 5, 2005 1:06:13 PM
Hi,
My name is Kay Truman & I live in Sydney Australia. We have just come back from holidays over in Alaska, Vancouver & one of the places we went to was Grose Mountain. It was a couple of weeks before your brother went missing. I came across the fact that your brother was missing when I visited the web site to Gross Mountain for information for a friend of mine who is planning their trip. There were other Australians who were heading to Vancouver as part of their next stop in their holiday who I know were planning on visiting Grose Mountain. In Australia we don't hear of stories such as these but I would like to let you know that I am sending the details to our morning news program called Sunrise which is the most watched news program on in the mornings, maybe they can put it on the show & somewhere here in Australia it might jolt someones memory. My belief is your brother has taken a wrong turn but will be found safe & sound. Keep strong. Kay Truman
Posted by: Kay Truman | Jun 5, 2005 7:06:30 PM
The volunteers spend an incredible amount of personal time to do SAR duty. please pray for their efforts!
Posted by: T | Jun 5, 2005 10:34:41 PM
I'm really touched by how many comments have been posted here on this blog. Thanks for sharing and all of your insights, concerns and suggestions.
I don't even know David personally but am friends with a close friend of his, hence the post and interest in trying to do something, anything at all to help.
I hope and pray for his safe return and may strength go out to his close friends and family during this trying time.
Renee
www.downtheavenue.com
Posted by: Renee Blodgett | Jun 6, 2005 1:03:38 PM
CKNW News 980 in Vancouver has reported David Koch's body has been found.
Posted by: Allison | Jun 7, 2005 3:24:24 PM
" NORTH VANCOUVER(CKNW/AM980) - RCMP confirm the body of missing American David Koch has been found on the North Shore.
He was last seen on Grouse Mountain the night of May 25th.
Constable John MaCadam speaks for the North Vancouver RCMP.
"We this afternoon received a tip from an anonymous hiker that he may have recovered the body of Mr Koch and four of our members attended to the scene this afternoon and hiked to this area and we have recovered the body of Mr Koch and the family has been notified and the body is being airlifted out as we speak"
MacAdam has more information on where the body was found.
" I believe it's roughly 650 metres east of The Bluffs Trail is I believe the name of the trail in quite a precarious spot""
Posted by: | June 7, 2005 04:25 PM
How sad. What a tragic loss. I hope everyone rallies around the family because they are going to need a lot of love and support right now.
Posted by: Kathleen | Jun 7, 2005 4:42:25 PM
To: Koch Family Members and Friends,
My sincerest sympathy in the loss of your dearest loved one and dear friend.
Sincerely,
D. McMartin
Posted by: D. McMartin | Jun 7, 2005 6:43:06 PM
Dear Koch Family Members & Friends,
I am very sorry for your loss. Although I didn't know David, he has been in my thoughts during the search.
My prayers are with you all.
Yours sincerely,
H. McLennan
Posted by: H. McLennan | Jun 7, 2005 8:51:26 PM
From my family to yours, you have been in our thoughts and we are so sorry for the loss of your loved one.
Posted by: Irene Lim | Jun 8, 2005 12:50:19 AM
Dear Koch Family,
I don't know your dear David, but I just feel compelled to offer my condolances. I've been disturbed about this story since I first read about it last week.
I hope you can at least take some comfort in now knowing that he is at peace.
Thinking of you and wishing you strength,
S.Lindsay
Posted by: Sara Lindsay | Jun 8, 2005 3:50:18 AM
you probably have already heard this fellow's fate.... my personal condolences to his family and friends....
Darrell Marklinger
Courtenay BC
From the Victoria Times-Colonist newspaper this morning:
Eagle circling mountain gully leads lone searcher to body of U.S. businessman believed carried down slopes by run-off
VANCOUVER -- An eagle circling high above a deep gully on the slopes of Grouse Mountain late Monday afternoon was the clue that ultimately ended the lengthy search for American businessman David Koch.
A solo searcher who had been combing the trails and woods of Grouse Mountain for more than a week looking for clues in the mysterious disappearance of Koch noted the location of the circling eagle and returned first thing Tuesday morning.
Just before noon, the searcher discovered the body in a drainage gully east of the Grouse Grind, where it had likely been carried down the mountain by rainwater and snow melt run-off.
The independent and determined searcher -- who wants to remain anonymous -- told George Zilahi, search manager with North Shore Search and Rescue, that he spotted the eagle after he had hiked up and down the mountain three times Monday and vowed to return to the location Tuesday.
Koch's family has asked to meet the mysterious solo searcher to thank him for his tireless efforts.
Zilahi said the searcher worked independently of North Shore Search and Rescue, but cooperated and communicated with the team. He said the man is in his mid-50s and is very familiar with the trails on Grouse Mountain.
More than 400 people spent 10 days scouring the trails and bush on the mountain looking for the 36-year-old, who was last seen at the upper gondola terminal at about 8:30 p.m. May 25. Sunset that night was just half an hour later.
Zilahi said searchers and dogs went over the area where Koch's body was found several times, but failed to turn up any clues, likely because the body was submerged in a pool of water.
"Those gullies are usually dry except in areas where there are depressions in the rock where there may be pools of water," Zilahi said Tuesday in an interview.
"He more than likely was in a pool and then when the heavy rains came on Sunday the water level would have risen and then he would have been carried downstream and then onto this portion of the creek-bed."
Koch's body was airlifted to the coroner's office Tuesday afternoon, where the precise cause of death will be determined.
Zilahi said it appears as though Koch walked from the top of the tram -- wearing sandals -- to the top of the Bluff Trail, where he would have arrived about 9 p.m.
"From there, all we can speculate is that he got into some steep terrain and more than likely slipped or fell. Something made him tumble into the drainage [gully] below," Zilahi said.
"He didn't have the appropriate footwear to get into technical terrain."
North Vancouver RCMP Const. John MacAdam said there is no evidence of foul play and "it appears to have been an accidental death."
Koch's wife, Suzanne Koch, flew to B.C. from Wisconsin shortly after her husband went missing and maintained her determination to find him throughout the frustrating search. She said during the search that her husband was an avid outdoorsman who would "rather be in nature than go for a beer or a round of golf."
Tuesday evening, the family issued a statement thanking North Shore Search and Rescue, the North Vancouver RCMP, the U.S. Consulate and others for doing their best to find David Koch.
"Now that David has been found, it is time for the family to grieve his loss in private," the statement said.
Zilahi spoke with the family earlier Tuesday and said they were devastated by news of David Koch's death, but relieved to have some answers.
"Our feelings and our thoughts go out to the family," Zilahi said. "My satisfaction is that we brought David home to his family, so it allows them some closure."
Posted by: darrell | Jun 8, 2005 9:04:51 AM
God Bless the Koch family, all their friends, and every one involved in the search! My heart goes out to you all! I had never met David but I know his sister Karen and how much David means to her. I wish them an eternity of the sweetest dearest memories of their beloved: brother; husband; son; relative; and friend! My prayers are with you!
Posted by: kiera | Jun 8, 2005 1:00:38 PM
To David's family,
I cannot express to you the amount of emotion I am feeling about the loss of Dave. I have been in close contact with DM Review throughout these two weeks, and now a tragic end has come. I sincerely thought Dave would walk out of there. It breaks my heart and many others at Sybase, where we know Dave from. I am so glad at the last time Dave and I saw each other, we got to hang out for a while.
I would like you to know, I didn't lose just someone I worked with. I lost my good friend. I am sure that many of Dave's clients feel the same way.
Peace to Suzanne, Karen and all of the Koch family.
Namaste,
Kristy Summers Dempsey
Sybase, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado
Posted by: Kristy Dempsey | Jun 9, 2005 3:56:50 PM
I was one of Dave's clients also, although I never thought of Dave as a vendor or a publishing rep. He was just Dave, like a buddy - someone you looked forward to seeing when he came through town. I simply cannot believe how all of this has ended. I too was certain that Dave would be discovered alive because it just didn't seem possible that something so awful could happen to such a great human being and his family.
I met with Dave two days before his disappeared. He was the same as always, happy, hilarious and generous with his time and considerable knowledge. He was smiling as he headed out the door on his way to Seattle. For almost two weeks I watched and waited for Dave to be rescued and have a joyful reunion with his family and friends on the mountain. That’s how it should have ended. Dave was smart, funny and genuine – how I will always remember him.
There is nothing I can write about Dave that his family doesn't know since they are clearly part of the reason Dave was such a stellar person. Or say that will ease their pain. Nothing at all. I can only express my highest regard for Dave and heartfelt sympathy to his family.
Peace
Posted by: Ann McMullen | Jun 9, 2005 6:49:34 PM
