Michigan Backpacker Dies in Smoky Mountains
LyttleBryan May 9th, 2010
sad news from this weekend…
via…
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/may/09/michigan-man-dies-backpacking-trip-smokies/
NEWFOUND GAP — A Michigan man has died after being found unresponsive during a backpacking trip in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, authorities said.
According to park spokeswoman Nancy Gray, Ross Sabin Enderle, 26, of Pontiac, Mich., and his three hiking companions had stayed Friday night at Icewater Spring shelter along the Appalachian Trail.
When members of the group awoke on Saturday morning and tried to arouse Enderle, he was unresponsive. One of the hikers contacted E-911 by a cell phone and park rangers were notified around 7:45 a.m.
When rangers arrived at the shelter at 9:14 a.m., Enderle showed now signs of life, according to a press release.
The man was transported 3 miles to Newfound Gap, where he was then taken to Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva, N.C.
Authorities are awaiting results from an autopsy and a toxicology report. Rangers are continuing an investigation to determine the cause of death but preliminary findings indicate there was no foul play.
More details as they develop online and in Monday’s News Sentinel.
- Hiking
- Comments(1)
I hope to squash any rumors floating around about the deceased hiker. I was with Ross when he passed away at Ice Water shelter on May 7th.
Ross was my brother and also a US Marine. We don’t know exactly how he died, though his health had deteriorated since his return from combat in Iraq in 2005. He did not die from alcohol poisoning; I can tell you that much.
I woke up at 730 am on Saturday May 8th 2010 to find him dead next to me. I know everyone means well, and they want to know exactly what happened, but plese be respectful and understand that it is really none of your business how he died.
If you care to pay your respects to Ross’ family, please email me at contact@313jazz.com.
Please take the time to thank a veteran for their service.
Ryan