1955 TANNER TRAIL SEARCH FOR NAU STUDENT, C. BOYD MOORE

On May 26, 1955, Prof. Harvey Butchart and 22 year-old C. Boyd Moore, both from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, were attempting to cross the Colorado River on inflated air mattresses above Kwagunt Rapid. (River Mile 56) Boyd Moore got carried away by the current and was last seen by Prof. Butchart around Lava Canyon Rapid. (River Mile 65.5) On May 31, Park Ranger, Don Black and Ken Patrick started down the Tanner Trial to search for the body of Boyd Moore in the vicinity of Tanner Rapid. Below are the trip reports submitted by Patrick and Black.

TO: Ranger Don Black DATE: June 6, 1955 FROM: Ken Patrick SUBJECT: TANNER TRAIL RECONNAISSANCE - May 31 and June 1, 1955 In my opinion, the Tanner Trail Reconnaissance, as a whole, was a success. The wind was quite strong, which, along with drifting sand, erased all sign that could have been valuable in putting together the pieces of the story we hoped to find. Leaving the head of the Tanner Trail at 5:10 a. m. Tuesday morning, we hiked until 9:00 a. m., which put us at a point about three miles from the Colorado River. Here we made radio and signal mirror contact with Desert View Watchtower. Having taken 4 large canteens of water with us, we cached two along the way, one about three miles from the top and one at the contact point. We arrived at the river at 11:00 a.m., made camp, had lunch, and made another contact with Desert View at 12 noon. After this, we made a 2-hour hike up the river and made as thorough a search as possible of the water and the shoreline. We were convinced that there was absolutely no trace of anyone being there recently. We had another radio contact at 5:00 p.m., a good supper, and turned-in for the night with plans for an early start next morning. Up next morning early, and after a quick breakfast we set out for the canyon rim. We made good time going up, and at 12 noon had another radio contact with Desert View. This was at our first water cache from the top. We made arrangements for someone to meet us at the head of the trail at 3:00 p. m. However, the going was easier than we thought, and at 1:45 p. m., we topped out of the Canyon, where Carl Lehnert picked us up at about 2:30 p.m. In my opinion, the present condition of the trail makes it impassable to livestock as it is washed out in several places, leaving large boulders in place of a trail. Also, the trail is difficult to follow at times, making it easy for an inexperienced person to get lost, and since there is no water on this trail, it could prove dangerous to tourist hikers. Following are a few suggestions regarding this type of reconnaissance which might be of interest: (1) A pack of the pack-board type, or a pack with a frame on it. --The old feed-sack type pack gives one absolutely no ventilation and is very uncomfortable when packing items with irregular shapes and edges. Also, it is difficult to adjust this old-type pack in order to put the weight on one's shoulders where it can be controlled. The frame type pack overcomes these disadvantages and, in my opinion, would be more suitable for inner-canyon work. (2) Rope -- I would suggest a length of stout rope, not heavy rope, but with sufficient strength to hold a man in case of an emergency such as a fall, to either pull one's self back up, or let one's self down to a trail or safer position. (3) A good knife --for use in emergencies. (4) Hat with good ventilation -- To some men, a felt hat which is tight could cause fatigue and headiness on hot days where a hat with good ventilation could help conserve one's strength. (5) Small bottle of spirits of ammonia carried in the shirt pocket may prove handy. A few drops in a small amount of water can help overcome water sickness, or a few sniffs can clear one's head when heat causes dizziness. (6) Good shoes are very important and an extra pair of clean socks taken along on long hike s could mean the difference between sore and blistered feet and being able to continue with your work. (7) Taking dried or concentrated foods in packages instead of canned foods --Carrying too much canned goods, in my opinion, is a waste of energy. They can take up too much space and add too much weight which will tax your strength on long hikes. I would prefer more concentrated foods and dried stuffs, which might not necessarily be as savory but will serve the same purpose as the canned goods, with the advantage of much less weight and space. The army-type dry rations would be suitable, as well as certain dried, packaged foods such as mashed potatoes, soups, beef, milk, tea, cocoa, to name but a few. I would also suggest carrying some other foods, such as coffee and other canned foods where consistency allows, in aluminum foil wrapping and paper sacks rather than in the heavy, bulky cans. Bacon is good for pack trips as it does not spoil readily, and is easily packed. Fresh fruits, such as oranges, would be of benefit to the hiker, since they provide nourishment as well as refreshment, and are easily packed. By eliminating as many canned foods as possible, and filling the balance of the menu with concentrated and dried foods, one could carry a large amount of food of much less weight than by carrying all canned foods. Thus, a long hike would be much less tiring and safer insofar as a too-heavy, improperly balanced pack is concerned. In closing, I would also like to mention the importance of a good companion. Two men who can work well together, can depend on each other, and are fully cognizant of the job to be done, can accomplish much more than two men whose personalities and capabilities are not in line. One more thing -- I was extremely pleased to be chosen to assist on this reconnaissance, which added considerably to my Canyon knowledge and hiking acumen and experience.

MEMORANDUM DATE: June 4, 1955 TO: District Ranger, Headquarters District FROM: Park Ranger D. M. Black SUBJECT: Search for Lost Person in Vicinity of Tanner Creek (Boyd Moore) Plans were made and food and equipment were secured on the afternoon of May 30. Truck driver Kenneth Patrick was selected to accompany me on the search. At 3:55 a.m. on the morning of May 31, Park Ranger Glen Swapp drove Mr. Patrick and myself to Lipan Point and after a brief search for the head of Tanner Trail, we started down at 4:30 A.M. In one and a half hours we were down through the Coconino Sandstone and a short distance into the Hermit Shale. Three Different sets of footprints were observed on the trail. One was a slightly pointed print with a medium size heel; another with a medium heel; and the other, a moccasin, was apparently Theodore Lovington's print. Lovington, a seasonal ranger at Desert View had hiked down the trail a short distance the previous week. We stopped at 8:55 a.m. for our scheduled 9:00 a.m. radio check with Assistant Chief Ranger Carl E. Lehnert who was at the Desert View Watchtower. The Minipack FM sets operated very well. In compliance with Mr. Lehnert's request, we flashed our position with a signal mirror and were informed that we were still approximately three miles from the Colorado River. A second radio contact was arranged for 12:00 noon. We arrived at the river at 10:40 a.m. which was 40 minutes later than estimated and prepared a lunch. Lunch consisted of Scotch Broth soup, crackers, and fruit cocktail. Just prior to finishing lunch, the winds started blowing and continued throughout the remainder of the trip. A continuous sand storm was encountered on the beach areas. We scouted for a camp site and Mr. Patrick located an overhang that was sheltered by mesquite and used by boat parties to cache provisions. The mesquite broke the wind enough to where the sand would drop before entering the shelter. We made camp, took a short rest, and then made our 12 o'clock radio check. We were still in line of sight with the Watchtower and radio contact was good until the batteries in Mr. Lehnert's radio gave out. When this happened, I radioed twice that I would make a radio call at 5:00 P.M., and that if my message was received. Mr. Lehnert was to click his transmitter. Each time the requested signal was heard, so it was assumed that the message had been received. We flashed our position with the signal mirror once again. And Mr. Lehnert later reported that reflection was extremely bright, so bright that it hurt his eyes. During the afternoon we made our way around the steep cliffs and embankments bordering the south shore of the river upstream from the mouth of Tanner Canyon. Much time was consumed in making our way around the heads of canyons between the cliffs. Here we found one set of footprints on the Hakatai Shale. These prints appeared to have been made by a pair of G.I. type shoes. About 2:00 p.m. we finally made our way down to the long sand bar bordering the south shore of the river. Mr. Lehnert had informed us that the river discharge had been decreasing. so we searched the willows lining the shore in case the body had been lodged there by high water. A careful search was made of present shore line on our return. After completing our search without success, We spent the remainder of the afternoon in returning to camp. The evening meal was most welcome. we had hiked approximately 16 miles over rough terrain and were ready to call it quits for the day. Our evening meal consisted of beef pot pie, chopped beef, orange juice, salt crackers, date nut roll, and limeade. We had filled one of our empty canteens with river water before leaving and it had settled enough by evening that we had an ample supply of water. At sundown, the temperature dropped and was cool all night. One blanket was sufficient and, surprising enough, we both slept soundly. We awakened at daybreak, but felt that a little extra sleep would do us more good than the time we would need getting out of the canyon, so we slept until 4:00 A.M. We then fixed a breakfast of coffee, cold cereal (we lined the beef pot pie tin with foil and they made excellent bowls) nut bread and tomato juice. Another canteen of river water that settled overnight furnished plenty of water for drinking. Extra food (Treet. cranberry sauce. peanut butter, Vienna sausage, and salt crackers) and two blankets were cached with items left by boat parties in the overhang. We broke camp at 4:58 a.m. and headed back up the trail. In two hours we were in the Shinumo Quartzite and by 7:45 a.m. we reached the second of two water caches which was the same location from where our 9:00 a.m. radio contact was made on the previous day. The weather continued to be windy and partly cloudy. At 8:40 a.m. we were in the Redwall fault zone and later in the lower Supai shales, we found some small-heeled footprints. These were leading up out of the canyon and unlike those observed in the Hakatai Shale lower in the canyon. We reached our first water cache at 11:35 a.m. and ten minutes later, while in line of sight of the Watchtower, we stopped for lunch and prepared for our noon radio schedule. Contact was made with District Ranger Joseph Lynch at the Watchtower and arrangements were made for transportation to meet us at 3:00 p.m. since we still had to climb up the Hermit Shale and Coconino Sandstone formations. After a lunch of consommé soup, date nut roll, chicken spread, salt crackers, fruit cocktail, and limeade we continued up the trail. Pinyons and later Douglas Firs afforded shade and the temperature was cooler enabling us to hike out without requiring any water. We topped out at 1:45 p.m. and were met by Mr. Lehnert at 2:30 p.m. After checking in with District Ranger Lynch and picking up the radio and spotting scope, we returned to Park Headquarters at 3:30 p.m. Although the search for Boyd Moore was unsuccessful, the experience was valuable to Mr. Patrick and myself. There were only two places in the Bright Angel Shale that were hazardous. Otherwise the trail was safe for hiking. Water caches, as suggested by Mr. Lehnert, proved satisfactory. We had four large canteens, which, with the river water, was most adequate for two people. We appreciated the opportunities afforded us by being selected to make this search and are certain that our experience will be of value to the Service on future trips. Donald M. Black Park Ranger