Sad story


Two links to the same story-maybe you won't be able to access either. Same company owns both papers.

camper

wolves

Jordan Grider died while camping alone in the Boundary Waters. Was he devoured by wolves?.

You can get around the paywall if you open this link in your Incognito browser (Chrome).

I have wondered about this; still up in the air.

He died of something. Perhaps the wolves ate him ad they would any other dead animal.

Mocha: "He died of something. Perhaps the wolves ate him ad they would any other dead animal."

That is what I think-after he died, than some animal maybe moved in.

Just heard this reported on MPR....came here to see if anyone knew any more.

Tragic story. Never heard about this until coming across this post. The mystery of this mans death is haunting. Id tend to believe that the wolves wouldn’t have hunted him down, but rather scavenged his body after his death. I’d believe bear attack way before wolf. However, wouldn’t make sense in winter. I wonder if there was a possibility of freezing. Then the wolves enter the picture shortly after.

There was also a lot of speculation at the time, but no way to really know for sure, IIRC.

It's only my opinion, but I didn't find this article very easy to follow. While I'm not stupid (note: wife may say different), I found myself reading a couple of the sentences more than once. It also seemed to be overly-sensationalist, beginning with the title. It's the kind of thing I would expect from the Ely Timberjay - NOT from the DNT. Attention Sam Cook - we miss you! :)

If blaming wolves helps the mother to deal with the loss of her son, so be it. But people who instinctively blame wolves are usually people who don't know much about them. I also agree that his remains would not have lasted out there without being scavenged - by wolves, coyotes, eagles, crows, and anything else that's trying to survive a MN winter.

Seems like a lot of knives to be toting along. I also didn't see mention of a first aid kit or an insulating pad for the hammock. The hammock would have been VERY cold without it, even for one night.

Northland: "I also didn't see mention of a first aid kit or an insulating pad for the hammock. The hammock would have been VERY cold without it, even for one night. "

The DNT photo showing his 8-10 knives has them laid out on a sleeping pad...

My brother does a lot of beaver trapping and skins the animals right where he catches them. Almost immediately wolves, bears or eagles will devour the animal and it is tough to find remains.
Also I have seen many of wolf-deer kills. Often you find maybe a little hair left at the site. Point is often animals clean up everything.

Yes there was at least 1 thread on this subject and I believe his mom or sister also posted on it if I'm not mistaken. Pretty sure it concluded he just wasn't prepared for the weather and the fact that it went from summer to winter in about a week the last part of September, early part of October 2018.

There is so many variables involved-wonder what the weather was like at aprox. time of death. Could he of got hypothermia and thus other complications? We will never know.
We have to remember tho this gentlemen has many of the same dreams you and I have-to get away from it all and enjoy the wilderness and explore. To do your own thing.

There is another thread on this topic on this board where his Mother posts numerous time. At the time (and maybe still) she knew no more than we did, but you do get some additional insights and a picture of a loving mother:

Old thread

You have to read through a lot of back and forth conjecture/judgement, including a long rabbit hole about the Into The Wild guy, but it is worth a read.

I don't know the story other than what I've read here, but it reminds me of how people go into the wilderness without a PLB.
That should be one of the first things a serious trippers plans to purchase.

I know they found a lot of blood in the hammock. That fact alone would make me think it wasn't wolves killing him. If wolves got him, maybe he would have bled a lot, but it sure would be scattered all over. They wouldn't just reach in and bite his carotid or something and hang back and let him bleed. Just doesn't add up. Thing about hypothermia is that it doesn't really explain the blood.

A really bad shaving cut is a very unusual way to die, but it does sort of explain the blood.

I guess we'll never know.

marsonite: "I know they found a lot of blood in the hammock. That fact alone would make me think it wasn't wolves killing him. If wolves got him, maybe he would have bled a lot, but it sure would be scattered all over. They wouldn't just reach in and bite his carotid or something and hang back and let him bleed. Just doesn't add up. Thing about hypothermia is that it doesn't really explain the blood.

A really bad shaving cut is a very unusual way to die, but it does sort of explain the blood.

I guess we'll never know. "

I thought the hypothermia would make him less alert and rational, thus maybe he cut himself or died from hypothermia and maybe wolves moved in?

We can speculate forever.

Just reading the opinion of experts in the articles, it seems it was not wolves or hypothermia (at least not only hypothermia-maybe a contributing factor with dexterity or cognition). With that amount of blood loss, it seems it would have to be some type of injury (accident, homicide, suicide). Homicide in that remote location seems incredibly unlikely. No indications of suicide leading up to the trip. So, probably a crazy accident. That can happen so fast. Strange the knives were sheathed and blood-free (per Mom), but I would think the clues still lead to some type of accidental injury.

They mention he never used his phone to call for help, but is there reception in that area? If he knew there was no reception, why would he try to call someone?

Regardless, his life was inspirational to me. Living in the woods for so many years, while working and living life. Interesting guy. I hope his Mom does write that book!

sns: "

Northland: "I also didn't see mention of a first aid kit or an insulating pad for the hammock. The hammock would have been VERY cold without it, even for one night. "

The DNT photo showing his 8-10 knives has them laid out on a sleeping pad..."

I was thinking more about the external pad that goes outside the hammock on the bottom, simply to keep out the cold air. I guess "pad" isn't the appropriate term. It's akin to a thick down blanket.

Northland: "

sns: "

Northland: "I also didn't see mention of a first aid kit or an insulating pad for the hammock. The hammock would have been VERY cold without it, even for one night. "

The DNT photo showing his 8-10 knives has them laid out on a sleeping pad..."

I was thinking more about the external pad that goes outside the hammock on the bottom, simply to keep out the cold air. I guess "pad" isn't the appropriate term. It's akin to a thick down blanket."

I believe "underquilt" is the term you are looking for.

Cricket67: "

Northland: "

sns: "

Northland: "I also didn't see mention of a first aid kit or an insulating pad for the hammock. The hammock would have been VERY cold without it, even for one night. "

The DNT photo showing his 8-10 knives has them laid out on a sleeping pad..."

I was thinking more about the external pad that goes outside the hammock on the bottom, simply to keep out the cold air. I guess "pad" isn't the appropriate term. It's akin to a thick down blanket."

I believe "underquilt" is the term you are looking for. "

Using an inflatable pad underneath you will do a good job. Kind of underprepared though if he intended to stay the winter in that set up.

What's odd is that he was quite experienced in living outside in AZ, KY areas (from the article). It is hard to believe with this background that he didn't research MN winters. I find it a puzzle piece that doesn't fit that he was so ill-prepared for winter.

read://https_A little update

Same as above-Sept. 4

Winter camper's 2019 death at Boundary Waters remains a mystery
DULUTH — A medical examiner's report completed Thursday, Sept. 3, offered no further answers to the mysterious death of a 29-year-old New Mexico man in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness almost two years ago.

The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office in Anoka County listed Jordan Grider's death as "undetermined" in its public report.

Grider's remains — only a dozen bones — were found by authorities April 25, 2019, in a remote campsite off the Sioux Hustler Trail outside Orr, Minnesota.

While the date of his death is listed as April 25, 2019, Grider is believed to have died sooner than that, having entered into the Boundary Waters in October 2018 with the intent of camping through the winter.


Prior to arriving in the Northland, Grider had spent much of the previous 10 years living in the wilds of Kentucky and upper New York.

His mother, Rebecca Grider, told Forum News Service she believes her son was killed by wolves, but authorities and experts suspect he may have succumbed to an accident and his remains later eaten by wildlife.

St. Louis County sheriff's investigators, along with agents from the U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Forestry Service and St. Louis County Rescue Squad, conducted extensive searches for Grider, only ever recovering bones.

"The exact cause of death remains unknown," the sheriff's office said in August when it confirmed his identity. "Although foul play is not suspected."

Thanks for sharing. No one will ever know for sure.

If murder I’ll bet it was a naked drunken lady! Sometimes we just don’t need to know... But the conversation is good because listening to others comments maybe someone thinking of doing something similar will learn to if nothing else research what our winters are like up there. I’m not real far away and I know the temps on say Basswood can be a bit more brutal. But that being said I’ll take -30 - -40 below over -20 or -25. Because the windsock of an under quilt usually is not a factor. Seems like when I lived in the old shack I had to about sleep next to the wood stove to keep it warm in there with the wind coming off the lake. Then the next night when -35 air temp I had to open the back door cause it got too hot. Only way I’d spend any amount of time out there would be a hot tent. At least to be able to warm up from time to time. A hammock would be the last thing I think.

nctry: "If murder I’ll bet it was a naked drunken lady! Sometimes we just don’t need to know... But the conversation is good because listening to others comments maybe someone thinking of doing something similar will learn to if nothing else research what our winters are like up there. I’m not real far away and I know the temps on say Basswood can be a bit more brutal. But that being said I’ll take -30 - -40 below over -20 or -25. Because the windsock of an under quilt usually is not a factor. Seems like when I lived in the old shack I had to about sleep next to the wood stove to keep it warm in there with the wind coming off the lake. Then the next night when -35 air temp I had to open the back door cause it got too hot. Only way I’d spend any amount of time out there would be a hot tent. At least to be able to warm up from time to time. A hammock would be the last thing I think."

I think a hammock you got cold temps coming from all around you. Especially if windy.

Pinetree: "

nctry: "If murder I’ll bet it was a naked drunken lady! Sometimes we just don’t need to know... But the conversation is good because listening to others comments maybe someone thinking of doing something similar will learn to if nothing else research what our winters are like up there. I’m not real far away and I know the temps on say Basswood can be a bit more brutal. But that being said I’ll take -30 - -40 below over -20 or -25. Because the windsock of an under quilt usually is not a factor. Seems like when I lived in the old shack I had to about sleep next to the wood stove to keep it warm in there with the wind coming off the lake. Then the next night when -35 air temp I had to open the back door cause it got too hot. Only way I’d spend any amount of time out there would be a hot tent. At least to be able to warm up from time to time. A hammock would be the last thing I think."

I think a hammock you got cold temps coming from all around you. Especially if windy.
"

I figure the same, Mr. Tree and Ben.

I can't see wolves, since if there was a wolf pack up there killing campers, we'd be seeing a lot more dead campers than just this one.

Whatever ate him did so after he was dead.

The amount of blood found afterwards sounds notable. With the authorities thinking that he cut himself, I'd imagine the amount of blood was indicative of a bleeding person. But I'm just guessing a living, bleeding person produces more blood than body a few days old being torn apart by a wild animal.

If his knife blades were exposed to the weather for months, any blood could have been washed off by the elements.

Else I'm wondering - freak accident causing a fatal head injury? Head wounds can bleed badly, and the BWCA has plenty of rocks and slippery surfaces.

To a carnivore or scavenger, any dead critter--man or beast--is just meat.
And meat does not remain uneaten during the harshness of winter in the North.