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The body of Jacob Adams, a 6-year-old boy who was swept into the Merced River on Aug. 15, has been recovered today. Jacob was wading in the Merced River with his 10-year-old brother, Andres “Andy” Adams, near the Vernal Fall Footbridge when they were swept downstream. Andy was pulled from the river by a park visitor shortly after the incident but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. (Read the previous story here)

Extensive search efforts for Jacob have been ongoing since last Wednesday. Yosemite Park Rangers located his body approximately 50 yards downstream from the Vernal Fall Footbridge. Fluctuating water levels in the Merced River, changing weather conditions, and treacherous terrain contributed to a difficult and challenging search. However, with receding water levels in the Merced River and dry weather over the last few days, Yosemite Park Rangers have been able to access areas within the river corridor that were
previously difficult to search. -NPS

Forest Service has its eye on snowmobilers

During the week of Feb. 13, six local residents were cited for trespassing in the Owens River Headwaters Wilderness, in the area known as the Slash Pit, according to a press release from the Forest Service. Reduced snowpack this year has led to a concentration of use in this area.

Inyo National Forest law enforcement personnel have started their snowmobile patrols for the 2012 season, the release continued. In a continuing effort to protect congressionally designated wilderness within the Inyo National Forest from illegal snowmobile use, law enforcement patrols will be routinely patrolling problem areas both on skis and snowmobiles and through aerial reconnaissance. The patrols will be looking for people whose snowmobiles have strayed into “off-limit” areas of the Forest, such as designated wilderness and other areas specifically closed to snowmobiles. Areas that will be regularly patrolled include: designated wilderness and Research Natural Areas, the Mammoth Lakes Basin, Obsidian Dome cross-country ski trails, Shady Rest cross-country ski trails and the area west of the G-trail from June Lake Junction south to the Glass Creek Hill. Free Winter Recreation Trail maps that display where the motorized restricted areas are located can be picked up at the Mammoth Welcome Center.

Law enforcement officials would like to thank the public for information that they have provided regarding snowmobile trespass, and they encourage anyone witnessing violations to call the Interagency Dispatch Center at 760.873.2405. For more information, please contact Lisa Walker, Recreation Specialist, at 760.647.3031.

The nation’s federally designated wilderness areas have prohibited motorized use since the passing of the 1964 Wilderness Act, making them off limits to all motorized vehicles. Despite these prohibitions snowmobile tracks and public reports indicate that numerous riders venture into these closed areas every winter season. Riding in a congressionally designated wilderness or other closed area is a Federal and state offense carrying fines of up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail, in addition to possible seizure of the snowmobiles used in the commission of the crime.

It is the rider’s responsibility to know where these closed or restricted areas are located and their boundaries. Major winter trailheads and launching points have kiosks with maps showing the restricted areas; maps are also posted online at http://www.mammothweb.com/scripts/usfs/snowcat.cfm.

If in doubt, you should check with a local Ranger Station or visitor center.

Ansel Adams Wilderness Map finally gets a tweak

The Forest Service has released its new map of the popular Ansel Adams Wilderness, managed by the Inyo and Sierra National forests. This topographic map replaces the older map, which was last published in 1987. Included on the map is the Owens River Headwaters Wilderness, recently designated through President Obama’s signing of the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act on March 30, 2009.

Designed to help visitors to the Ansel Adams, the 32”x45” waterproof topographic map contains two different coordinate systems for users of global positioning systems (GPS), as well as the more traditional Public Land Survey System historically utilized by land managers and surveyors.  In addition to showing campsites and trailheads, locations for equestrian opportunities and resorts under special use permit are also illustrated. To further assist in ecosystem protection, permanent fire restriction areas are identified and roads and trails on the map reflect the results of the recent travel management plans for both the Sierra and Inyo National Forests.

The map is available for purchase at local ranger stations and visitor centers, numerous map retail outlets or at www.nationalforeststore.com. -USFS

John Nathan Adams, the training and life coach and one of three SUV passengers who survived a horrific, fiery multiple-vehicle crash just south of Bishop on Aug. 9, died early Saturday morning, Oct. 9, at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nev. His passing came two months to the day of the crash that claimed two other lives in the SUV in which he was riding, as well as the life of another person in a passenger van that was also involved in the collision.

Adams, who lived in the San Diego area, was well known to many in Mammoth’s running and sports community. Mammoth locals Stu and Julie Brown were the last in town to see Adams and the four athletes traveling in the SUV prior to the accident. He was reportedly 39 at the time of the accident.

Adams passed away at 2:34 a.m. surrounded family and friends, including Julie Brown, who traveled to Reno on Friday to be with and support the family.

Doctors had kept Adams in a state of induced coma, never bringing him to full consciousness, in order to help him heal. He made considerable strides, given the severity of his injuries, which included punctured lungs, broken ribs and facial injuries. His breathing had improved and he recently began to “push back” when tested for pain response. Early hopes were that, since he appeared to have sustained no brain stem or spinal injuries, that he would be able to recover from his brain injuries as well, but Adams showed little or no progress during the past 8 weeks. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan of his brain last week apparently revealed extensive damage over large areas. Several concurring opinions from doctors across the country all agreed the prognosis was poor.

While Adams’ body fought and indeed recovered from several injuries that on their own would have each been life threatening, the family reportedly came to the conclusion that the damage to his brain was far too extensive to overcome, and made the painful decision to disconnect him from his support systems.

The Browns said there are plans to look into purchasing and placing a John Adams commemorative structure in Mammoth Lakes, and discussing ideas for an annual race in his honor with High Sierra Tri’s Alana Levin, another local who knew and was very fond of Adams.

Details on arrangements for services or other memorials are forthcoming.

Encinitas, CA – The Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA (200 Saxony Road) will be hosting a Zumba Benefit for John Adams this Sunday, Sept. 26 from 9:30-11 a.m. Doors will open at 9 a.m. This is a donation-based Zumba Benefit to help raise funds for Training Coach and lululemon alumni ambassador, John Adams, on his road to recovery.

There will be special guest Zumba Instructors (including Dejinira Lee, April Buck, Jan Saddington, Alicia Arroyo, Denise Perkins, Patricia Boissy, Dionne Thomas and Dre Garcia) from the community and it is sure to be a wonderful time in the name of a great cause. “We are asking for a $20 donation that automatically enters participants into the amazing raffle courtesy of our sponsors who have graciously pulled together for John. We are touched and honored at the outpouring of support from the community and look forward to this benefit for our dear friend, John.”, Zumba Instructor and Benefit Coordinator Dre Garcia said.

More information can be found on Facebook under, “Fight for John,” “lululemon athletica Carlsbad Forum,” CaringBridge.org and talbertfamilyfoundation.org (John Adams Renegade Fund). Sponsors from the area include: Pure Barre La Costa (Two 1 month unlimited passes), Phyzks (private session gift certificate), CrossFit Counter Culture ($225 gift card), Second Sister Jewelry  (custom jewelry), Total Woman Gym and Day Spa (gift basket), Headlines Hair ($200 gift card), The Shop Beauty & Art (gift card), Hoopify (Hoop & $140 gift certificate), Healing Touch Oasis ($60 50 minute Custom Facial) and Pro Beach Volleyball Player Mike Morrison (private session gift card).

John Adams is a Cardiff By The Sea resident and admired Professional Training Athletic Coach who was badly injured in the Aug. 9 multi-vehicle accident just south of Bishop that claimed the lives of three people. John is currently recovering in Reno, Nev. -Press Release