Mountain Project Logo

Stolen Gear - Fisher Towers

Original Post
Joe Forrester · · Palo Alto · Joined Aug 2005 · Points: 2,112

Dear Mountain Project users(particularly those climbing in the Fishers and/or Mystery Towers),

Sometime between Labor Day weekend, 2014, and January 16, 2015 a large stash of climbing and camping gear was stolen from what (we thought) was a well hidden location in the area between the Titan and the Mystery Towers. This was not near any of the known bivy spots in this area. The gear included a full desert iron aid rack, a double set of cams, double set of aliens, over 20+ draws and screamers, ropes, and camping gear. This gear had been painstakingly hiked out to this location over months in preparation for a trip in the area. Needless to say, when the gear was gone, we were disheartened and disappointed. Neither the BLM nor the Sheriff's office removed the gear.

This leads us to suspect that either ne'er-do-wells (ie, meth-heads, scavengers) stole the gear, or climbers did. Given that the gear stashed included a cast-iron skillet and a cast-iron dutch oven, we suspect it was the former as no climber would hike that stuff back out from where it was stashed. This gear was well off any trails that any casual hikers would be on, and in a location where only a small select group of climbers would ever venture. If, for some reason climbers moved the gear, or took it assuming it was abandoned, I can assure you it was not. I would like to believe that it was an honest mistake. If this is the case, please pm me with the current location of the stash, and all will be forgiven.

However, if this gear has been intentionally taken by climbers and it is not returned, I will do everything in my power to determine who took the gear. A lot of blood, sweat, and time went into getting the gear out to where it was, and the trip we had planned was ruined and had to be postponed. Even worse, this had been a trip that I had been looking forward to after two deployments overseas. We have pictures that will allow us to identify all of the gear that was stashed. Any information leading to the identification of any individuals who removed the gear will be graciously rewarded.

Please pm me with any information. This was also posted on Supertopo.

Stay safe,

Joe Forrester

Nathan Self · · Louisiana · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 90

I've stashed gear overnight before, and wondered if it'd be around the next day.

You left gear for 4 months? Perplexing.

Good luck.

SRB25 · · Woodside, ca · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 5

I hope you find your gear. That sucks and costs a fortune. 4 months seems crazy to me too. Good luck.

Brian C. · · Longmont, CO · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 1,100

Dude that sucks balls. I've left stuff out there before and always assumed it was safe. I can't imagine anybody being that big of a dick to steal your stuff. I really hope you find it.

Chris Massey · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 5
Nathan Self wrote:I've stashed gear overnight before, and wondered if it'd be around the next day. You left gear for 4 months? Perplexing. Good luck.
Man these days I sometimes wonder if my pack is going to still be at the base when I get back after climbing a long multi pitch route.
Nathan Self · · Louisiana · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 90

So true, Chris.

Ar Turd · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 15

I'm sorry your gear got stolen, but honestly stashing gear for 4 months sounds to me like littering. You played a dangerous game and lost.
After reading other threads and people ranting about stashed pads and leaving fixed draws on sport projects, I find it hard to justify leaving all that equipment for such a long time.

I hope you somehow get your gear back ...

Joe Forrester · · Palo Alto · Joined Aug 2005 · Points: 2,112

Thanks to those who provided constructive suggestions. No doubt that gear stashed can be stolen, just surprised that it would happen in a place where so few go, and how anyone that far back would know what it took to get the gear back there.

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Joe Forrester wrote:Thanks to those who provided constructive suggestions. No doubt that gear stashed can be stolen, just surprised that it would happen in a place where so few go, and how anyone that far back would know what it took to get the gear back there.
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if it was discovered by the kids of the "casual hikers" you mention exploring and scrambling around. The Fishers aren't exactly remote, unknown, or have long approaches relatively speaking, which leads to a different question: base camp siege tactics in the Fishers? Seriously?
Trad Princess · · Not That Into Climbing · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 1,175

Hey. Be cool, guys. We all modify ethics to fit our most favorite way of doing things, yeah? You can rationalize anything if you work hard at it. Bottom line is - dude is bummed his gear is gone. We can all understand that.

M Mobley · · Bar Harbor, ME · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 911

Fishers are not that remote. I wonder if an offer of reward money could help your cause, all I see is threats and accusations.

Joe Forrester · · Palo Alto · Joined Aug 2005 · Points: 2,112

This was not in the Fishers proper, but between the Titan and the Mystery towers. The area where the gear was located was pretty remote. To address Miike's comment. From the original post:

"If, for some reason climbers moved the gear, or took it assuming it was abandoned, I can assure you it was not. I would like to believe that it was an honest mistake. If this is the case, please pm me with the current location of the stash, and all will be forgiven."

and

"Any information leading to the identification of any individuals who removed the gear will be graciously rewarded."

All I really care about is getting the gear back. Again, thanks to those with helpful comments to add. To others, well...the internet is the internet, enjoy.

Dustin B · · Steamboat · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 1,275

That sucks but doesn't surprise me. So much stuff to haul out it seems whoever did it went there with the intent to take it.
A few more theories:

-A naturalist/environmentalist type may have stumbled upon the cache or heard about it and took it, returning the earth to its natural state.

-Feds/Rangers took it, trashed it and aren't telling you for some cop reason.

-The tower you were planning on climbing on fell over and your stuff is buried under the sand pile.

-Barack HUSSEIN Obama.

I hope you get your stuff back. If you guys need to borrow any iron and stuff to continue your project I offer up mine.

I will be expecting a full trip report of the climb...WITH PHOTOS.

Btw...was just down there Monday, Damn is the weather nice or what! Get to it.

Paul-B · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 115
Dustin B wrote: -Barack HUSSEIN Obama.
Its this one. Its always this one
JD Merritt · · Eugene, OR · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 2,637

Bump. Most unfortunate

Michael Brady · · Wenatchee, WA · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 1,316
Dustin B wrote: -Barack HUSSEIN Obama.
I don't get it
Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Mike Brady wrote: I don't get it
The right, Fux "news", and the American Tea/Taliban Party have blamed Obama for pretty much everything and anything, so by that logic he probably stole the gear as well.
Trad Princess · · Not That Into Climbing · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 1,175
Marc801 wrote: The right, Fux "news"...
In my office, they've got Fox news going in the background.

I've noticed lately, that Stacey Dash is on there all the time. Maybe Fox news not so bad after all...



Incidentally, Stacey Dash once told me to meet her out at the Valley of the Gods for a fight (LOL), called me the B word if memory serves. Perhaps this tactic might be useful for getting the gear back?
Andy Novak · · Bailey, CO · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 370
Adam Burch wrote:, Stacey Dash once told me to meet her
Spray
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Lost and Found
Post a Reply to "Stolen Gear - Fisher Towers"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.