In Search of Haley

Arriving at the Faddis Cabin on Cave Mt. where Haley began her hike.

From the Crag, the view of the wilderness is overwhelming

Heading down to the Crag

Where had Haley go from here?

The rock where Haley was last seen

We began the retracing of Haley's Hike

Hiking below Cloudland

and the Buffalo River way down there

After hiking around the bench we head down into Dug Hollow

We had to cross back and forth in Dug Hollow, again how did she do it?

The terrain was a killer, how did a six year old little girl do it?

This could have been the place Haley spent the first night!

There was a lot of water

...and a lot of pools like this

We cross near McNamara Falls

As you can see, Dug Hollow was not very friendly

This was the way we got across several crossing

It was difficult deciding how to get through all this. How did Haley decide?

Again, crossing several times just to make our way down Dug Hollow, it wasn't easy at all.

Our friend Bob Williams from Joplin joined us on this adventure

But after about 2 hours we arrive at the Buffalo River.  This is where Haley crossed to the other side.

We were tired, hungry and thirsty.  We felt guilty at this point.  Haley had neither food nor water.

We took time to reflect on how little Haley had any strength at all by the time she reached the Buffalo. We had to replenish our strength just to go any further.

There probably was not this much water in the river for Haley but crossing is always a little dangerous.

We headed on down the river to try and find the rescue spot, this was not easy either.

We found where Lytle James and William Jeff Villines found Haley.  The search had finally ended.

This is what the river looked like as we arrived at the "spot"

Wm Jeff with Haley-her first drink in three days

W. Jeff, Haley, Copper & Big Mamma at the rescue site

Haley heading home

Lytle and Wm. Jeff tell their story on Dateline

Pointing to the spot where they found Haley

Map of Haley's Hike

We had accomplished our mission. 

...but tired and weary

So, now to get out of here

We were reminded of the beauty that the wilderness has, even when at times the wilderness can be very frightening and "ugly".

Our steps were slow up the mountain

We needed all the help we could get

Arriving at Cloudland, safe and sound

We will remember this day, for a long time, and what a little six year old girl did six years ago.  Surviving the wilderness for three days and two nights.  We now appreciate Haley even more and those that gave sacrificially those three days.  No one was willing to give up and it proved to be a wise decision.  Haley was out there waiting for someone to find her and take her to her mommy and daddy.  What a glorious day that was.  Thanks to all.

Tim Ernst asking how our adventure went.  Little did he know, we would not soon do this again.  The hike proved to be almost more than we could do, so how did Haley do it?

Steve Zega saying thanks

Little Haley

Haley and her mom-reflecting on the good things.