Missing snowboarders last winter???

Ok, guys and gals and all those who have contributed to this thread , I'm going to call the Pierce county Sheriff's office tomorrow as suggested and I'll report back.

At the moment I am thinking of spending two days next weekend searching assuming weather and snow conditions are safe .We don't want to put anybody at risk.

Assuming we get no problems with the Sheriff's office I am proposing that all who offered to help  meet at Upper Lot C next Saturday morning at 7.00am. Only experienced skiers and boarders please and bring radios.

We should then have a meeting and try and organise ourselves as regards protocol and area of search. Safety is numero uno.
If there are any SAR people willing to help us organise ourselves I would appreciate that help.

If the Sherrif's office has problems with us doing this on a volunteer basis or have other professional searches planned for the near future then I'll report back on this post and cancel.

Hey everybody...I'm posting on behalf of some of the family and friends. They are grateful that you all are willing to help out and do want to encourage any effort that you can make SAFELY of course. As we understand it SAR will not be resuming official recovery efforts until mid-July. If it is ok with them to use volunteers, we would like to organize a party this weekend as you suggested. We are hoping to get a blog or somesuch up this week and I will post it here so that everyone who is interested can keep track of what is going on. Once again thank you all for keeping them in mind and offering your help.

If it is ok with them to use volunteers, we would like to organize a party this weekend as you suggest.

Thanks for making contact whoziwahsit. I'm in and as we agreed on the phone, 7.00 am at Upper C lot, unless you post differently.
Scotsman

Many logistical issues and things to be done. Kudos to Scotsman for taking this on.
First question: Did any of the victims have any clothes with Recco reflectors? Could most likely be revealed by photos or jackets/pants with model and dates on them (less likely to be sitting around). If so, was a search conducted with the Recco reflectors.
Second question: Does anyone have any information about metal dectors? I know ski areas often have a "ski finders" service. All I have been able to find on the internet is relating to no finding steel. I have found nothing on depth of search. I am confident that all victims have enough metal on them to be found so long as the depth range of the device is fairly great. All things on the internet are related to 8-10" in soil, which of course is a different thing from 10' in snow, although I do not understand the mechanics of it all.

I just spoke to a family member who has been searching the area frequently and recently and will be joining us on Sat 21st with another family member. He says it is highly unlikely that the guys had Recco on their garments as Philip who he knows best was the type of guy that did not buy the latest expensive  gear and used older garments. He also feels Kevin and Devlin where similar in having older, but serviceable gear.

He warns that the search area is extensive and that the likelihood of success is slim but still worth doing as the families are very keen to try and find the guys as soon as possible for reasons that are obvious. He welcomes and is grateful for our help.

Reminder, 7.00 am Upper Lot C Saturday June 21st ( I think I said June 20 in some previous posts) I wll only be for one day unless there is a compelling reason to go out on the Sunday as well.

Thanks for the groundwork Scotsman -- I'm trying to organize work schedules so I can be there Saturday as well. Perhaps we can arrange some carpooling from up north, if we get enough folks.