Rachel Marsden

Rachel's encouragement reminded Marilyn of the day she had crossed the Rong La Pass with Eric in Nepal. She heard his words in her head. You can do it, hen. She took a deep breath, stood, and embraced her daughter. The two of them then went in search of their luggage. It didn't take long to sort out what had happened.

Rachel's encouragement reminded Marilyn of the day she had crossed the Rong La Pass with Eric in Nepal. She heard his words in her head. You can do it, hen. She took a deep breath, stood, and embraced her daughter. The two of them then went in search of their luggage. It didn't take long to sort out what had happened.

They had taken so long getting through customs that the airline staff pulled their bags off the carousel.

They had taken so long getting through customs that the airline staff pulled their bags off the carousel.

Marilyn laughs about it now.

Marilyn laughs about it now.

But she came very close to her breaking point. Marilyn and Rachel were in the air again a short time later, headed for Salt Lake City. They arrived there on the afternoon of Thursday, August 11th, day four of the search for Eric.

But she came very close to her breaking point. Marilyn and Rachel were in the air again a short time later, headed for Salt Lake City. They arrived there on the afternoon of Thursday, August 11th, day four of the search for Eric.

They hadn't reserved a rental car or booked a hotel. They had come on Julia Geisler's invitation alone.

They hadn't reserved a rental car or booked a hotel. They had come on Julia Geisler's invitation alone.

Devin had arrived in Utah the day before from San Francisco. Devon actually came and picked us up. Devon had Julia's car. Marilyn and Rachel got in, then Devon started the 45-minute drive to Park City.

Devin had arrived in Utah the day before from San Francisco. Devon actually came and picked us up. Devon had Julia's car. Marilyn and Rachel got in, then Devon started the 45-minute drive to Park City.

Rachel expected to find a hub of activity at this home base, but the house was empty.

Rachel expected to find a hub of activity at this home base, but the house was empty.

The nearest edge of the High Uintas Wilderness was another hour away by car, up the Mirror Lake Highway. The search headquarters, in Duchesne, was at least 90 minutes away. They tried to call the Duchesne Sheriff, only to be told he was unavailable.

The nearest edge of the High Uintas Wilderness was another hour away by car, up the Mirror Lake Highway. The search headquarters, in Duchesne, was at least 90 minutes away. They tried to call the Duchesne Sheriff, only to be told he was unavailable.

Search and rescue missions in Australia are usually coordinated at the state level. Rachel didn't understand the American system, where it happens at the county level. And she didn't realize rural Duchesne County had such a limited staff.

Search and rescue missions in Australia are usually coordinated at the state level. Rachel didn't understand the American system, where it happens at the county level. And she didn't realize rural Duchesne County had such a limited staff.

Unlike her mom, Rachel had never met Devin or Julia, but Devin was gracious, offering to help however Rachel thought best.

Unlike her mom, Rachel had never met Devin or Julia, but Devin was gracious, offering to help however Rachel thought best.