Backpacker dies in Smokies

Sunday, May 9, 2010

A Michigan man died yesterday after being found unresponsive during a backpacking trip in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

This past Friday night, Ross Sabin Enderle, 26, of Pontiac, MI, and his three hiking companions, stayed at the Icewater Spring Shelter, roughly 3 miles east of Newfound Gap along the Appalachian Trail.

When his companions woke the next morning and tried to wake Enderle, they found him unresponsive. One of the hikers contacted E-911 via cell phone and park rangers were notified around 7:45 a.m.

When rangers arrived at the shelter at 9:14 a.m., Enderle showed no signs of life. He was taken to Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva, N.C.

Authorities are awaiting results from an autopsy and a toxicology report. Rangers are continuing an investigation to determine the cause of death but preliminary findings indicate there was no foul play.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

4 comments

Unknown said...

I first read about this on Twitter. So sad. I suppose it is a small grace that he was doing something he loved.

HometownHiker said...

I'd like to know more.

The Smoky Mountain Hiker said...

Chuck, I agree. I'm still waiting to see if anyone in the media is going to follow-up on this. There are rumors out there - and let me stress, they are just rumors, there was alcohol involved.

Anonymous said...

RIP Ross Enderle 1983-2010
Cpl USMC.
Beloved brother uncle and son. We miss you Ross!