Topic
In memory of Donald I. Downs
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Home › Forums › Campfire › Member Trip Reports › In memory of Donald I. Downs
- This topic is empty.
-
AuthorPosts
-
Oct 8, 2009 at 3:19 pm #1240045
This plaque is on the JMT just south of Forester Pass. If you are heading south you would walk right by it. We WERE heading south but somehow we noticed it. I really makes you realize how much work and sacrifice has gone into providing the trails we hike!
Oct 8, 2009 at 5:18 pm #1534435Roleigh MartinBPL Member@marti124
Locale: Founder & Lead Moderator, https://www.facebook.com/groups/SierraNorthPCThikersLawrence, I've done this pass twice now and have not noticed the sign. Can you be more specific where it appears? Thanks!
Oct 8, 2009 at 6:03 pm #1534456So young as well,.
Oct 8, 2009 at 8:18 pm #1534509Roleigh,
I would not have seen it except my buddy happened to stop there to wait for me and he noticed it. If you were heading north you almost could not miss it even though it is a little off the trail. When heading south the trail actually makes a right turn there away from the plaque I think is is less than a mile from the summit of Forester Pass. Here is a jpeg of the topo for the area. It has to be at one of the right turns as you head south.
Oct 12, 2011 at 9:55 pm #1789857I did the JMT this summer again with two other guys and we specifically looked for Donald I. Down's memorial. It is located at gps coordinates N 36 41.504 and W 118 22.343. Another highlite of the trip was that we got to spend a night at Muir Trail Ranch. We took real hot showers and we laundered every piece of clothing we had. We also shipped ourselves a 12 pack of Newcastle Brown Ale in our resupplies which we enjoyed in their deluxe hot springs after an incredible dinner at the ranch! We actually gave three of these away (we're not complete lushes!)
Oct 17, 2011 at 10:09 am #1791583I'm a little late joining this post. . . I was just there a few weeks ago and I remember thinking the trail just south of Forester was amazing, blasted right into the side of an incredibly steep cliff. After the third or fourth switchback for some reason I looked left and saw that plaque just before the trail turned right down the next section. I can see how that cliff would be unforgiving. I didn't take a picture of the plaque, but here's one just before and one after that section:
Oct 19, 2011 at 10:11 pm #1792817I've hiked the JMT two times and spotted Donald I. Downs memorial both times. Here is another perspective looking at the memorial with the Forester "shute" in the back ground. My guess is that it is located around 1/4 – 1/2 mile from the pass heading south.
Oct 24, 2011 at 12:09 pm #1794368For those that don't know the history. I may not have it quite right, but it seems that him and a few other trail workers were injured when a landslide was caused by the blasting they were doing to clear a path for the trail.
Because of the remoteness and the fact that most of the men were injured, it took them days to get the injured to a doctor. All survived but Donald who after several days succumbed to the multiple injuries, including having to have his arm amputated to stop the spread of infection.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Our Community Posts are Moderated
Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting.
Get the Newsletter
Gear Research & Discovery Tools
- Browse our curated Gear Shop
- See the latest Gear Deals and Sales
- Our Recommendations
- Search for Gear on Sale with the Gear Finder
- Used Gear Swap
- Member Gear Reviews and BPL Gear Review Articles
- Browse by Gear Type or Brand.