For those of you who haven't been following updates on the search for missing NAU student, 20 year-old Bryce Gillies, in Grand Canyon, I wanted to let you know that, sadly, his body was found this morning in the Bonita Creek drainage on the north side of the Canyon, following yesterday's discovery of some personal items, including a backpack, nearby.
The breaking news story from the Arizona Daily Sun can be read here.
I'd been hoping there was some way this mission would have a happy ending, listening to radio traffic daily from the Grand Canyon for any hint of what was happening, but it wasn't to be. As someone said to me today when I told them the news, "We can love the Canyon, but the Canyon is indifferent."
Encompassing 18,661 square miles, Coconino County, Arizona, is the second largest county in the U.S. but one of the least populated. Our county includes Grand Canyon National Park, the Navajo, Havasupai, Hualapai and Hopi Indian Reservations, and the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the world. Elevations range from 2,000 feet above sea level along the Colorado River to 12,633 feet at the summit of Mt. Humphreys in Flagstaff. Find Out More About Becoming a SAR Volunteer
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4 comments:
God bless all the workers who searched for him and all who have followed the tough story of the last few days. Bryce was a wonderful young man who is now with his Lord. Those of us who loved him are so grateful for all the rescue efforts.
I was listening to that same radio traffic...and its so sad that he did not make it. So sad.
Bryce was a kind and generous young man. We miss him dearly. Our hearts go out to his wonderful family. May God bless and comfort them. We can not begin to express our thanks to the angels who spent arduous hours in the SAR effort. Thank you! -Mclean friends
Updated story:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/01/04/20100104bryce.html
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