Found Deceased NM - Bobby, 21, & Robert Pluta, 57, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, June 2017

Gardener1850

Timeline Guru (Still Remembering Cupcake)
Joined
Jun 9, 2016
Messages
42,107
Reaction score
117,011
[h=1]Father and son reported missing after trip in New Mexico[/h]
636335635975329386-pluta-sr.jpg
636335635983441438-bobby.jpg


A father and son from Corpus Christi were reported missing during a hiking trip at a national park in New Mexico.

The Current-Argus reported Robert Pluta, 57, and his son Bobby Pluta, 21, of Corpus Christi, were at Carlsbad Caverns National Park over the weekend and family members have not been able to contact them since.

Park Rangers believe they found their truck on Monday.

http://www.caller.com/story/news/lo...rted-missing-after-trip-new-mexico/413491001/
 
Oh no! I was afraid this wasn't going to end well. So, so sorry. Much love to their family and friends. :rose::rose:

Adrian Hedden‏ @AdrianHedden [video=twitter;877303720605888512]https://twitter.com/AdrianHedden/status/877303720605888512[/video]

Confirmed from New Mexico State Police: both Robert and Bobby Pluta were found deceased in #carlsbadcaverns national park. @CCurrentArgus


 
What a tragedy!

I hope the wife/mother has other close family to lean on and find comfort. It must be extremely hard to lose both husband and son at the same time.
 
Heartbreaking :(

I have a couple of the wife's Green Start books.

Here is what she posted on social media. I hope this is ok.

I love cut flowers and pot plants, and wouldn't mind a few, BUT to truly honor the memories of my beloved husband and son, these are my wishes:
In lieu of flowers, I’m asking for donations to be sent to any of these three places. Two national parks and a ministry they participated in at our church.
https://www.nps.gov/cave/getinvolved/donate.htm
Folks can send a check to the following address, noting that this is a donation in honor Robert and Bobby's memory. They need to include your address so you will receive an acknowledgment of the donation.
Big Bend National Park
P.O. Box 129
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834

Galilean Lutheran Church
3321 Cimarron Blvd
Corpus Christi, TX 78414
Please mark the donation to be used for Men In Mission and note it’s in the memory of Robert and Bobby Pluta

 
oh no so sad ...
rip Robert and Bobby
 
no gps/maps/phones while hiking?

are the trails in that park well-marked or do people just basically wander?

here's the park websites:

https://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm
https://www.national-park.com/welcome-to-carlsbad-caverns-national-park/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlsbad_Caverns_National_Park
This tragedy hits close to home.

I drove past that trail head and thought about taking it last time I was at Carlsbad Caverns. The trail is well marked with gentle slope (at least what I saw of it through binoculars). But.... the canyon trail appears to go for miles into the back country.

From my general experience with National Parks, trails can be divided into two general groups- "tourist" type trails and outdoor enthusiast trails that are remote, difficult, and not patrolled regularly. Though it is possible to get into trouble on a tourist trail, they are usually gentler.

From what little I saw of Rattle Snake Canyon, it starts out as a tourist trail. It, however, could well becomes an outdoor enthusiast trail the farther down it one goes and the farther one gets away from the dirt road with Ranger patrols and where one can flag down another vehicle in case of trouble.
 

Members online

Online statistics

Members online
194
Guests online
1,853
Total visitors
2,047

Forum statistics

Threads
589,170
Messages
17,914,915
Members
227,742
Latest member
Snugglebear
Back
Top