Bob Gnewuch Update

This page was last updated: Wednesday, 8/18 at 3:10pm

Bob Gnewuch was discovered Monday evening, around 5:40pm. He has been airlifted
back to the Dorst Creek Campground where he has been re-united with family and friends!

A gallery of photos is now online!

On behalf of the Gnewuch family,
thank you all for your prayers and encouragement during this ordeal.

To the National Park Service crew,
The wonderful experts of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon Search and Rescue,
Yosemite Search and Rescue, CHP,
and everyone else who helped bring him back,
"Thank you" does not adequately express our deep gratitude for the work you've done.

From the WebMaster:
This site received over 4000 hits in less than 24 hours. That is a testimony to
the amount of care and concern that you all poured out over
Bob and the Gnewuch family during the last few days.
May God bless you for all you've done, even from afar.

I have received many emails from people that wanted to let Bob know that
they were thinking about him and his family during this time.
If you want to send Bob a personal message,
please feel free to use the email address at the bottom of this page.
All messages will be collected and forwarded to him.

-- TIMELINE --

Sat., 8/14, am	Bob and Jacob Gnewuch go looking for for Diane, who didn't return from her morning run. Bob and Jacob split up to cover more area. Diane and Jacob separately return to camp, but Bob never shows up. There is a brief communication with Bob using walkie-talkies, but one of the units ran out of power before they can figure out where Bob is. As of approx. 5pm, Bob knew that Diane had returned [updated 8/16] and that he was somewhere near camp, but was now lost. National Park Rangers were notified and Search and Rescue teams, including canine units and a helicopter, were called in. No signs were found and the search was called off after dusk.
Sun., 8/15, am	Search and Rescue teams began their search again. Five 2-man teams, two canine units, and two helicopters are involved.
Sun., 8/15, 12:30pm	Approximately 1.5miles NE of camp, footprints that look like they were made by Bob were found. The prints were heading in a generally western direction.
Sun., 8/15, 5pm	Reports from the site indicate no new leads.
Sun., 8/15, 7pm	Pastor Ed Trenner and a handful of friends are approximately 45 minutes from the campsite.
Sun., 8/15, 10pm	The team from GCO was able to get into the campground. The search was called off for the night, but will be re-grouping at 6:30am Monday. The Dorst Creek campground was evacuated due to contaminated water, but all the Gnewuch family and their friends were allowed to remain. Arrangements for another helicopter were made, and Yosemite Search and Rescue was notified.
Mon., 8/16, 10:45am	3 footprints that match Bob's shoes were found in the area of the previous footprint. The search teams are focusing their attention to this area, trying to "box in" the area to make sure that he cannot leave that vicinity without being seen. Yosemite Search and Rescue has responded with an additional 10-16 people. There are two canine rescue units on the scene. A helicopter from California Highway Patrol was called in; it is equipped with sensors that can detect a person's body heat. The Search and Rescue teams are very optimisitic, saying that this scenario has worked out successfully many, many times. Local authorities have stated that they do not need any volunteers at this time. Bob's employer has been notified and is spreading the word through their organization and to their prayer support teams. George and Lupe Martin live about 80 miles from the campground and have opened their home to anyone who needs it. Bob's kids are all in good spirits, treating this like "Dad's adventure". :^)
Mon., 8/16, 1:16pm	Alex Picavet, park Public Information Officer, reports that there are still no major changes. She has spent some time with Diane and says that she is doing well. There are currently 55-60 professionals on the ground involved in this search. One canine team had a prior comittment and will be assigned elsewhere today. She emphasized that this seach and rescue operation is not unusual and they are well-equipped for this situation. The park has received many, many calls regarding this Search and Rescue operation, and to help keep the information flowing to all of Bob's friends, any news that the Information Office receives will be reported here as news comes in from the field. Again, Unless you are direct family, please do NOT come up to the campground. There is no need for volunteers at this time and there are several people already here to support the Gnewuch family.
Mon., 8/16, 1:30pm	Rachel Gnewuch and Jennifer Christian spoke with one of the SAR team members not long ago. They report that a team is still tracking Bob's footprints from earlier today. He seems to be moving along a creek and moving quickly. This likely means that he is strong, healthy, and determined to get home! This information has not been confirmed by an official source yet.
Mon., 8/16, 2:30pm	Ed Trenner called in from the field to report that the SAR team has found Bob's name and a date along the creek they were following. It was dated 8/15 (yesterday), but this is the first solid evidence we have that this is really Bob's trail. Good news!
Mon., 8/16, 3:00pm	I have received official confirmation that the SAR team has found Bob's name and date. This new information has everyone very excited! With such a "hot" lead, the SAR team will follow the trail as long as the daylight allows. The area where Bob's tracks were found is not a well-travelled area, so this makes his trail easier to follow. The campground was just re-opened to the public. There were reservations for the sites where the Gnewuchs are staying, but the incoming campers are being very understanding and pitching their tents around our existing camps.
Mon., 8/16, 4:49pm	The SAR team found another message from Bob! It reads, "Bob slept here" and is dated 2 days ago. This not only lets us know that Bob's spirits are high and he has kept his sense of humor, but tells the SAR which direction he is going.
Mon., 8/16, 5:40pm	Alex Picavet, park Public Information Officer, reports that Bob has been found! He is being taken by helicopter back to the Dorst Creek campground, where he will be given any necessary medical treatment. He is in generally good condition after his ordeal. We'll know more details later, but the important part is: He's back!
Tue., 8/17, 12:35pm	Bob, family, and friends have packed up the camp and are headed back home right now. Bob is driving, but he is being followed to make sure he doesn't get lost while coming home. ;^) His health and spirits are good. He was treated for minor scratches and infection, but nothing serious. Ed Trenner snapped several pictures over the last couple days and I will post some of them here as soon as Ed makes them available.
Wed., 8/18, 10:05am	Bob arrived home safely last night! I have just received photos from the scene and will post them as soon as I am able. There are two links below for local newspapers that carried this story; the Fresno Bee article is especially good. Bob will be retelling his "Great Adventure" this Saturday at the monthly Men's Breakfast at his home church, Grace Church of Orange. Bob will likely be speaking at the regular Sunday service as well. Contact Grace Church of Orange for more information.
Wed., 8/18, 3:00pm	The gallery is open! I have posted many pictures from the campground. You can access them here, or by using the spinning camera at the top of the page. Thank you to Ed Trenner for taking so many pictures!