AI6YR BenAug 7, 2023
#Missing #Hiker in #VenturaCounty On 08/05/23, at about 0830 hours, Keshava went hiking in the Chumash Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest. Keshava was hiking with a group, but became separated and was last seen in the area of Sawmill Mountain. #Pinos #MtPinos (UPDATE: FOUND)
Show threadAI6YR BenAug 7, 2023
More on the missing hiker--authorities looking for clues if anyone might have passed him on the trail: https://nixle.us/EMMXB?_ga=2.30074614.854128200.1691422824-1437024608.1688567957
Missing Person Balaji Keshava (At Risk) from Ventura County Sheriff's Office : Nixle

Name: Balaji Keshava Age: 78  Height: 5' 6"    Weight: 165 Hair: Gray Eyes: Brown On 08/05/23, at about 0830 hours, Keshava went hiking in the Chumash Wilderness of ...

Nixle
Show threadAI6YR BenAug 7, 2023
Likely area where this gentleman is lost. On the plus side, there is plentiful water up there; there's a well marked trail coming down from the campsite there at Sheep Camp and ends up at Camp Three Falls, if you ran across the trail you'd follow it all the way down.
Show threadAI6YR BenAug 7, 2023
Missing #hiker in #VenturaCounty has been found! https://nixle.us/EMQZM
Located: Missing Person Balaji Keshava (At Risk) from Ventura County Sheriff's Office : Nixle

Update: Mr. Keshava has been located and is safe. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office thanks our community members for their outpouring of support.   

Nixle
Show threadAI6YR BenAug 7, 2023
My prelim analysis vs. find location. It appears to me (guess only) what happened is he missed the turnoff for Sawmill Mountain because he was at the end of the line, and kept wandering down the trail. He started up Grouse Mountain (the next peak over) thinking it was Sawmill, and must have gotten turned around, probably confused where his party went. #SearchAndRescue #SAR #VenturaCounty
Show threadAI6YR Ben
Here's where he went wrong. There's a junction here, up to the right goes to Sawmill, to the left goes to where he was found. Clearly he was WAY behind his group, they came to the junction, went right up and, he went down and left. You should *always stop at intersections* if you are hiking with a group and wait for everyone. #hiking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UmWY9qnaJo&t=2s
Mount Pinos Trail and Sawmill Mountain Hike Guide

YouTube
Aug 7, 2023 at 8:36pmWeb
Show threadAI6YR BenAug 7, 2023
From friends of the rescued hiker:
Show threadAndy KAug 7, 2023
@ai6yr
I suggest there are two alternatives.
Option 1 - stop and regroup at intersections.
Option 2 - have a designated "sweep" who knows the route and always travels as/with the last hiker. (And carries an expanded first aid kit)
Show threadAI6YR BenAug 7, 2023
@ke7yxz Great advice!!
Show threadJoseph ElfeltAug 7, 2023
@ke7yxz @ai6yr I have fond memories of many scramble trips with the Seattle Mountaineers. There was always a 'rear guard'.
Show threadSylvia WrightAug 8, 2023
@ai6yr Any info re how they found him? Seen waiting patiently in open spot by helo? Found waiting patiently on the trail by #SARK9? Signaling with reflective #hambrella? Asking for a friend
Show threadAI6YR BenAug 8, 2023
@sciencewrighter Good question, I wasn't listening (should have turned on the SAR channels!). I suspect a ground search team as the VC helicopter went there, picked him up, and took him to the hospital.