Found Deceased WA - Gavin Johnston, 28, hiker, Pacific Coast Trail, Skykomish, 18 Oct 2018

[Steelslady]

Unfortunately he’s been found deceased on the Pacific Crest Trail near Glacier Lake. Here is the post his family made on the official FB page.

Para Clete

Rest in peace, Gavin. So sorry to hear this. Condolences to his family and friends.

 

[ADKGemini]

RIP

 

[PommyMommy]

Unfortunately he’s been found deceased on the Pacific Crest Trail near Glacier Lake. Here is the post his family made on the official FB page.

Para Clete

This is so sad to hear but I'm glad he was found. Rest peacefully, Gavin.

 

[dspdenver]

Glacier Lake is not far from where he started at Stevens Pass (maybe 15-16 miles along the PCT, if I got the details added right from the route description on this forest service site: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - Pacific Crest Trail 2000 Stevens Pass S )

So whatever happened to Gavin, he likely only hiked on the trail one or two days to reach the area where he was found. RIP in nature's beauty, Gavin.

 

[GraceG]

Thankful for closure for his loving family.

 

[Suglo]

“The mountains are calling and I must go.” John Muir.

RIP Gavin.

 

[GuyfromCanada]

Family: Missing Everett man found dead in Cascades

MSM.

 

[PommyMommy]

Family: Missing Everett man found dead in Cascades

MSM.

So sad.

The medical examiner's office hasn't released an official identification, but the family says they've been told a hiker found Johnston near the trail, by Glacier Lake, in a sleeping bag.

Johnston's stepmother Debora Johnston says with him was a note, his phone, wallet and gear.

 

[dspdenver]

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/missing-for-8-months-everett-man-found-dead-in-cascades/
[The medical examiner’s office has not released an official identification, but the family has reportedly received word that an experienced hiker found Johnston near the trail, by Glacier Lake, resting in a sleeping bag with a rosary in his hand.]

 

[Suglo]

Still working on it. Bad month.

The skull fragment is in Namus now: The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

Do we have a thread for the skull fragment?

 

[PommyMommy]

Do we have a thread for the skull fragment?

Yes.

WA - WA - Snohomish Co, Uknsex&Race UP53960, UknAge, cranium on sand bar in Skykomish River, Dec'18

 

[Suglo]

Yes.

WA - WA - Snohomish Co, Uknsex&Race UP53960, UknAge, cranium on sand bar in Skykomish River, Dec'18

Yay! Thank you so much!

 

[Elainera]

RIP Gavin.

 

[Bugurl747]

Wow, they found Gavin. So bitter sweet.

I recall following this case from the beginning, he went missing about 2 months after Sam Sayers did. He had no hiking experience and set out in such a vast area, I feared he would never be found. I recall his family actively out searching (I was worried about them too) and posting laminated fliers along the trail and everywhere possible in hopes that someone had seen him and soon after the bad weather set in. It felt intentional but I wasn't sure if he got lost and caught in bad weather or if he met foul play.

Gavin Johnston made it less than 15 miles south from Stevens Pass before coming to a stop. He set up camp away from the trail, toward Glacier Lake, such that passersby might miss him as they walked by, Marvin Johnston said.

Tied to his tent was a note, written on the paper wrapping from a flare. On it, Gavin Johnston explained he had run out of food and would likely die soon. He wrote about what he wanted his funeral arrangements to look like, said Gavin’s uncle, Carl Johnston.

Also on the note was a date. Marvin Johnston believes his son was in the wilderness for about 25 days before he passed away.

RIP Gavin. Peace and Love to your family and friends.

 

[GraceG]

This is just heartbreaking. May he rest eternally in the arms of our Lord.

 

[TatianaBarbie]

Wow, they found Gavin. So bitter sweet.

I recall following this case from the beginning, he went missing about 2 months after Sam Sayers did. He had no hiking experience and set out in such a vast area, I feared he would never be found. I recall his family actively out searching (I was worried about them too) and posting laminated fliers along the trail and everywhere possible in hopes that someone had seen him and soon after the bad weather set in. It felt intentional but I wasn't sure if he got lost and caught in bad weather or if he met foul play.

Gavin Johnston made it less than 15 miles south from Stevens Pass before coming to a stop. He set up camp away from the trail, toward Glacier Lake, such that passersby might miss him as they walked by, Marvin Johnston said.

Tied to his tent was a note, written on the paper wrapping from a flare. On it, Gavin Johnston explained he had run out of food and would likely die soon. He wrote about what he wanted his funeral arrangements to look like, said Gavin’s uncle, Carl Johnston.

Also on the note was a date. Marvin Johnston believes his son was in the wilderness for about 25 days before he passed away.

RIP Gavin. Peace and Love to your family and friends.

That was a beautifully written news article about Gavin. I'm glad I followed the link, which I also missed seeing because of my tears. I'm repeating the link:

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/missing-for-8-months-everett-man-found-dead-in-cascades/

RIP Gavin. As Gavin's uncle stated in the article, they can now have a funeral and celebrate Gavin's life.

A view south of Glacier Lake, from the outlet. Stunning wilderness:


Photo courtesy of Surprise Lake Trail & Glacier Lake

 

[carbuff]

Rest in peace, Gavin.