Thanks for letting us know, Matt.
I ran into Paul Baugher on the mountain on Sunday and he also mentioned the planned search on June 25-26. I offered to post something, but you've already taken care of that. Paul emailed me a short flier describing the effort, and I'm going to attach it below.
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From Paul Baugher and the Crystal Mtn ski patrol:
RESUMPTION OF PAUL MELBY SEARCH
-Sat. & Sun. June 25 & 26: Main thrust of search, when volunteers are needed.
-Sat. & Sun June 18 & 19: Ski Patrol will continue to search lower areas where snow is melting out, with a few others invited by Matt Melby. We won't turn anyone away, but prefer folks come June 25 & 26 when we expect to reach target snow melt.
Profile for those wanting to help search
Expert level skiers or snowboarders able to handle expert terrain as second nature, so attention can be paid to thorough searching, not on maneuvering/surviving on skis. Some ascending may be, and "expert level" traversing definitely WILL be required.
Ability to stay outside--possibly all day--with ample opportunities for rest. Food, drink, bathrooms and sunscreen may not be easily accessible so come prepared--but travel light; "10 essentials" type packs may hinder progress through tight trees.
Strong preference that each team of 2 has a cell-phone. Verizon service preferred, AT&T OK, others may need to rely on text messaging. Radio's may be available for those without phones, but we may want the ability to converse privately, too.
This is an official Missing Person search conducted with the approval of the Sheriff's Office, not an opportunity for free skiing. Searchers will be assigned areas to search, and will be required to report back with details of the location of terrain searched and density of tracks in the area. Lifts will be used and searching will be done in areas not open to searcher's friends/family or the general public.
What to do if Paul is sighted
1) Please don't move anything, and keep all details confidential. Employees should communicate by phone rather than radio when possible, to prevent rumors.
2) Contact Paul Baugher (253-508-1898), or Corey Meador (360-280-0835)
3) Contact the Pierce County Medical Examiner at 253-798-6494. Called "Coroners" in other jurisdictions, Medical Examiners must determine the cause and manner of death, and are the authority-in-charge when someone passes away. You can just say: "I think I've found the body of Paul Melby, the skier who went missing at Crystal Mountain on March 1st" and they will talk you through what to do next.
4) The Medical Examiner will probably want photos of the UNDISTURBED accident scene that indicate what occurred. Starting from--let's say--roughly 50 yards away to establish the surrounding terrain, a series of photos will be needed moving closer and closer to identify any probable points of falling, sliding, colliding, coming to rest, etc. Please keep the importance of this in mind as you and your party move about the accident scene area. Try to disturb the area as little as possible.
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