An acquaintance of mine has gone missing in Colorado. Here is the information...

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Search-Intensifies-for-Missing-Chicago-Hiker-104718429.html

... please keep James in your thoughts and prayers.

Sadly, they've called of the search... http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2796540,james-nelson-search-holy-cross-wilderness-101210.article

Wow Laurie.

I'm sorry to hear this. I was there last month - eerie.

It is my prayer that he is found ok very soon.

Todd

There but for the grace of God.

Our thoughts and prayers with him.

Keep us posted?

acronym 10/12/2010 9:20 PM

I will... I haven't corresponded with Amber since before the weekend but I am sure she's just devastated that the search has been called off. People are posting positive vibes, hope and prayers on both Amber and James' social networking pages.

If any of you happen to be out/up that way can you keep an eye out please.

Both the CT and the CDT go through the Holy Cross wilderness. The CT sees far more hikers than does the CDT, but the last of the CDT folks should be going through there now. Maybe they'll find something.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family of the hiker!

I saw this article from October 23rd: Climber Vanishes Without a Trace in Colorado Wilderness Area. I take it that James is still missing? Dang. I'll say a prayer tonight.

HJ

Just saw this article in the Chicago Tribune. Dang.

HJ

It's really sad. My heart goes out to his family, fiancee, and most of all his Mom.

Heart wrenching is right. My prayers are with his family and friends. I hope that he is found, in whatever condition, just so that there is closure.

HJ

From Bluff Country News:

11/17/2010 10:37:00 AM
Update on the lost hiker;
Journey vs. Destination
By Lisa Brainard


Missing hiker

Some of you have asked for an update on my online backpacking acquaintance James Nelson of Chicago. He went missing in the Holy Cross Wilderness area near Vail, Colorado, sometime shortly after Oct. 3. That's the day he headed up the trail into the rugged wilderness.

I'm sorry to report there is no more information on James. An initial, four-day concentrated search and rescue mission on his likely route turned up nothing. Experienced individuals still continued to go up into the wilderness to search, even as the weather turned bad and winter snows came. Their last report shared a snow depth of around 2 ft. - and undoubtedly it's deeper by now.

Hunters, too, roamed the wilderness at times during elk-hunting season. Still, nothing has turned up. It certainly bothers everyone that no single physical clue has been discovered.

Barring an unlikely find of something over winter, it looks like the horrific situation - the waiting and wondering and praying for some sign - will continue for family and friends. Unless there's some unusual and fortunate turn of events, the SAR teams will return for a search and recovery mission as snows go off the mountains in late spring and early summer.

Vigils are now being held for James. Family hosted one in Iowa City on Nov. 6. There's another at a seminary in Chicago on Nov. 17. James attended a seminary and earned a theological degree. You may recall I wrote he was working at the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) headquarters in Chicago, where his fiancée also works, when he took this trip.

Following the Iowa City vigil, James' sister - Christy Nelson Waters - wrote a note in a forum. I hope you'll send your thoughts to this family after reading her words:

To all:
As the weather starts to get worse... I want you to hold a little of James in your hearts through the winter. James' family is still keeping hope that some clue will surface. It may have to wait till the weather gets better... which is very hard to swallow.

I thank those that have spent time looking or thinking like James.

I hope to keep this forum alive with the hope that some clues will turn up - or James.

I also hope to come out this spring or summer and hike some of the trail. I was not allowed to hike with search and rescue and would like to see the beautiful mountains that my brother loves.

As the snow falls I ask this little favour from you all... Keep the hope alive! Keep trying to bring James down from the mountain so our family can rest in peace. I will forever carry this with me and it will forever be a part of me.

God bless you all and keep you safe. "Hike the Hike and brew the beer," James would always say.

A toast to you all!

Christy

As to the rest of us - yes, keep James and his family in your hearts and minds. And always try to research and prepare as best you can to "hike the hike..."

This reminds me so much of when Dan Pauze and Susan Barnes went missing in the Torngats in August 03. My niece worked with Susan and I had chatted with her online before the trip. They found them the next year. As sad as it was having closure was helpful to the grieving family. I pray for closure for James' family and for Amber, his fiancée.

I "met" James (just online) because he would send me photos of my food taken at backcountry campsites on Isle Royale and such. I found him inspiring especially in a time when I was ready to throw in the towel due to the challenges of this latest work. He would tag me on Facebook in one of the food photos. My favorite was his photo of my Chana Masala recipe. I've just submitted the manuscript and as a tribute to him I asked Amber permission to write a little more about them and where the photo was taken as the pre-amble to the recipe.

I just feel so sad for this family as I did for Dan and Susan's folks. It has to be hell.

A camp linked to missing hiker James Nelson has been found in Colorado:    
http://www.realvail.com/article/1450/Sheriff-locates-campsite-with-human-remains-believed-to-be-missing-Chicago-hiker-James-Nelson

HJ
Adventures In Stoving

Edited by hikin_jim on 05/27/2012 09:12:40 MDT.

Just saw the article when I picked up the Vail Daily today.

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20120527/NEWS/120529857/1078&ParentProfile=1062

Crazy how his campsite was found only 50 feet from the Holy Cross Jeep road.

The majority of my usual trail companions are friends and acquaintances of James - and to them (and to James' family as well), I can only hope that this development will bring them what peace there is to be had.

Edited by Dianoda on 05/29/2012 13:32:38 MDT.