The Search for Ottorrina “Terrina” Bonaventura
July 30 through August 14, 2007
Yosemite High Country, Vogelsang Area
8/14/07 - Body of Missing Hiker Found
The search for a missing woman ended on Tuesday, August 14th, when her body was located in
the Echo Creek drainage, a rugged wilderness area southwest of Tuolumne Meadows. Ottorina
Bonaventura, 80, was reported missing by friends when she failed to return to the Vogelsang High
Sierra Camp after a day-hike on July 30th. Over 150 searchers from the National Park Service,
counties throughout California, and DNC Parks and Resorts in Yosemite, Inc., participated in the
search effort. Dog teams and helicopters were used as well. The cause of death is under
investigation.
By Adrienne Freeman, Public Affairs Officer
Ottorrina “Terrina” Bonaventura went missing in the Tuolumne High Country 7/30.
Posted 8/8 - Search for Missing Hiker Downsized
Due to a lack of clues, the search for Ottorrina “Terrina” Bonaventura has been scaled
back. Bonaventura was last seen hiking alone in the Vogelsang area on 7/30 and is still missing.
NPS Release 8/4 - Search for Missing Hiker in Yosemite Continues
The search for a missing backpacker continues today in Yosemite's wilderness. Ottorina Bonaventura, 80, was
last seen by her party on July 30, 2007 at around 11:30am. She and three friends were taking a day hike to Evelyn
Lake, northeast of the Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, where the party was staying for a rest day before continuing
through the High Sierra Loop. Several sources then saw Ms. Bonaventura near Emeric Lake (southwest of
Vogelsang) at around 2pm, indicating that she was traveling in the opposite direction as her companions. She was
reported missing at around 7pm, when she failed to return to Vogelsang. Ms. Bonaventura is described as being 5'
tall with dyed blond hair and brown eyes, wearing a white t-shirt and blue shorts at the time she was last seen.
She was not observed to be carrying a back pack or any other items, and she does not appear to have had food or
water with her at the point last seen.
A hasty search of the area commenced on the night of July 30th, with the search expanding to include all trails on the 31st, and a large-scale search effort began on August 1, 2007. Over 100 SAR personnel have been consistently in the field, with teams from all over the state joining Yosemite National Park and DNC Parks and Resorts in Yosemite, Inc. in the search effort. Several dog teams and two helicopters are also searching in the area.
So far, the effort has turned up few clues but investigation has indicated that despite her age, Ms. Bonaventura is an extraordinarily fit person who works out daily and hikes regularly. She does not have a good sense of direction and is not likely to ask for help, but has an independent spirit and a strong survival ethic. She is likely to choose to keep moving if unsure of her direction, and believes that following water courses downhill will lead to towns and people. Because of this information, the search area has been expanded to include many drainages and areas farther from the point last seen than originally anticipated.
This morning's search started with about 13 teams in the field and 3 new teams prepared to fly in, totaling over 100 staff and volunteers. Teams are focusing on off-trail areas, looking for clues while information is being disseminated throughout the area by flyers, personal contacts, and cooperation with other agencies in the area.
[Submitted by Adrienne Freeman, PIO]
Posted 8/3 ONGOING SEARCH- 80-year-old Woman Missing in Vogelsang Area
The search for Ottorrina “Terrina” Bonaventura, 80, continues. Bonaventura was last seen on July 30th
near Vogelsang High Sierra Camp. Over 100 searchers from Marin, Mariposa, Merced, Mono,
Ventura, Santa Clara, and Fresno counties, as well as from the Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit, the
National Park Service, and DNC Parks and Resorts in Yosemite, Inc., are participating in the
search effort. Dog teams and helicopters are also being employed. On Wednesday, a bloodhound
got a positive hit on the Fletcher Creek trail, but lost the scent. No other significant clues have
yet been found. Although daytime temperatures have been in the 70s, they’ve dropped into the 30s
at night. The search area covers terrain running from about 7,000 feet to 10,500 feet. Bonaventura
is described as 5’0” tall, with dyed blond hair and brown eyes. She is an experienced hiker but has a
history of memory loss which can lead to confusion.
[Submitted by Eric Gabriel, Mather District Ranger]
Posted 8/2 - 80-year-old Woman Missing in Vogelsang Area
On July 30th, the park received a report that an 80-year-old woman had become separated from
her hiking group. The woman was part of a small group hiking in the Yosemite wilderness and
staying at the Vogelsang High Sierra Camp. They were hiking to Ireland Lake when she decided to
return to the camp to retrieve some food. She failed to rejoin the group. Information from other
hikers indicated that she’d been near Emeric Lake on the afternoon of the 30th. Emeric Lake is
about two-and-a-half miles west of Vogelsang, while Ireland Lake is five miles to the east. The
woman has a history of memory loss. Search operations began that evening and expanded
throughout the following day. Four search dog teams, two helicopters and over 100 searchers have
been committed to the search. YOSAR is
looking for any information that might help narrow the search.
[Submitted by Charles Cuvelier, Deputy Chief Ranger]