Searching for Bigfoot is not a recreational activity that should be taken lightly.

Our thoughts and condolences to the families involved. We congratulate the local press for not using the often-employed “ridicule factor” in the reporting of this story. It should be a cautionary tale for anyone exploring areas that may experience adverse weather conditions.

Near Greenwood, Pennsylvania, two individuals, Paul Diehl, 53, and Joe Quirin, 47, decided to go looking for Bigfoot on Brush Mountain. On Thursday, January 5, 2005, Mr. Diehl was found dead on an old fire trail, about a half-mile from Utah Road and LaSalle Lane.

The cause of death, at this time, has been related to alcohol-related hypothermia. Both had decided to go camping on the trail but were ill-prepared for the elements.

The Logan Township area, still snow covered, reached freezing temperatures at night, and police reported the men did not take warm clothing, sleeping bags or a tent.

Hunters who had seen the men on Wednesday, Janurary 4th, were told by Diehl and Quirin that they were in the area looking for Bigfoot. They appeared to be starting a fire to keep themselves warm.

Local hunters were responsible for finding them again, on the 5th of January and brought out them out. Law enforcement officials said the cold evening temperatures, coupled with the use of alcohol, led to Paul Diehl’s death that Wednesday night.

Both are said to have been mentally-challenged individuals living at Blair House in Altoona.

When Quirin was found, he was incoherent, as well as suffering from hypothermia. On the 6th, he was listed in fair condition, upgraded from critical, at the Altoona Regional Health System hospital in Altoona.

Information comes from a combination of reports from the Altoona Mirror, WJAC-TV news, and the Associated Press.

“Blair House” is an organization with two locations in the same complex. One provides permanent apartments for mental health consumers. The other is a crisis residence that provides twenty-four availability of crisis residence for individuals with mental health difficulties. Respite services are offered as well as transitional living until permanent housing is found.