Fowler-O’Sullivan Foundation

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Fowler-O’Sullivan Foundation

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The Fowler-O’Sullivan Foundation provides assistance to families of missing hikers across the US.

11/01/2026

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Something is always happening at FOF!

From search and recovery updates to hiker safety information,
new programs, special projects, and ways to support our mission,
our newsletter keeps you informed and connected.

Our Next Newsletter goes out November 5th!

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11/01/2026

Fall brings cooler temperatures and more wet weather, and a little rain doesn’t have to keep you off the trail. A few ways to stay comfortable and safe:

- Check the forecast and choose a trail that suits the weather.
- Dress in layers, skip cotton, and pack extra dry socks.
- Watch your footing and assess creek crossings carefully.

Save this for your next rainy-day hike and share it with your hiking community.

10/28/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞, 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐬.
When one of our community members, Amanda Mascia, set off into the rugged beauty of the Eastern Sierra, she had a solid plan. But as any seasoned hiker knows, the mountains always have the final say.

Her trip quickly turned into what she candidly called a “sh*tshow,” forcing her to make the call to abandon the trail early.

Luckily, she had one of our recycled inReach devices in her pack. “I’m an InReach convert now,” Amanda said! “I really enjoyed using it (especially knowing the detailed weather forecasts while on trail).”

We’re happy to hear that Amanda and her hiking partner were safe and that our inReach program helped them navigate through the Sierra.

Through our Recycled Satellite Communicators program, we collect gently used satellite communicators that might otherwise be sitting unused in a drawer and place them into the hands of hikers who need them most. We currently accept Garmin inReach, Spot GPS devices, and Zoleo.

Before donating, owners must deactivate the unit from their personal account. Once that’s done, devices can be mailed to:

Fowler-O’Sullivan Foundation
c/o Scott Kastner
P.O. Box 8
Big Bend, WI 53103

Learn more at fofound.org/hiker-safety-programs

10/28/2026

Book Recommendation: Where the Mountain Casts Its Shadow by Maria Coffey, winner of the National Outdoor Book Award.

Recommended by one of our followers, Jeanna Smith, this book explores why people take extraordinary risks in the mountains, what happens when climbers go missing or die and how their families cope with uncertainty, loss, and grief.

Drawing from her own experience of losing her partner, Joe Tasker, on Mount Everest, Maria Coffey shares personal stories of climbers and their loved ones and the impact these tragedies have on the families left behind.

Have you read this book? We’d love to hear your thoughts. And if there’s a book you think our community should read, share it in the comments.

10/26/2026

10/25/2026

Fall is a beautiful time to hike and it’s also a busy time for wildlife. Deer, elk and moose are in rut, and bears are eating heavily to prepare for winter.

A few ways to share the trail:
• Give animals plenty of space. Stay 25 yards (23 m) from most wildlife and 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves.
• Store your food, trash, and scented items properly, following local rules.
• Make noise on blind corners and keep dogs leashed so animals aren’t surprised.

Save this for your next hike and share it with your hiking community.

10/24/2026

Did you know? Since 2021, the Fowler-O’Sullivan Foundation has given away 72 Garmin inReach satellite communicators to Pacific Crest Trail hikers.

Recipients have come from across the United States and around the world, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

These devices let hikers stay connected when there’s no cell service and send an SOS with their location in an emergency.

We’re not done yet. In January 2027, we’ll launch another giveaway for the PCT Class of 2027.

Helping hikers stay safer, one device at a time.

Learn more at fofound.org and sign up for our newsletter to receive news and updates.

10/21/2026

We’re the Fowler-O’Sullivan Foundation. Here’s more about who we are and the communities and families we show up for.

We were founded by Cathy Tarr in 2020 and are named in honor of missing Pacific Crest Trail hikers Kris Fowler and David O’Sullivan.

We are a nonprofit, volunteer organization focused primarily on hiker safety and assisting families of missing hikers on trails across the United States. With safety and compassion as our core principles, we connect families to vetted resources, facilitate searches on their behalf once official efforts have been suspended and support initiatives to prevent future missing hiker cases.

Thank you for following, sharing and supporting our work.

For more information, visit fofound.org and sign up for our newsletter to receive news and updates.

Photo: John Peltier for the Fowler-O’Sullivan Foundation

10/17/2026

We wanted to take a moment to remind everyone what this page is for.

This is a place to share hiker stories, pass along safety tips and learn from each other. Anyone who spends time on trail can end up needing help. It might be a wrong turn or a bad step, and it can happen to a first-timer or someone with decades of miles behind them. Experience helps a lot, but it doesn’t make anyone immune.

Every hiker started somewhere, and most of us are still learning.

When a story is shared here, we hope people respond with kindness. Talking about what happened and what we can learn from it is welcome. Blaming or shaming someone for needing help is not something we’ll leave up.

To everyone who follows along and engages with care, thank you. We appreciate you, and we’re so happy you’re here.

Address

Menifee, CA
92584

Telephone

+18774673363

Website

http://www.fofound.org/

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