HIGH UINTA MOUNTAINS, Utah — Garrett Bardsley received the Aaronic Priesthood just weeks ago, on Pioneer Day weekend. His older sister, Courtney, remembers the 12-year-old boy making his debut as a deacon with a big grin on his face.
"He was so excited to pass the sacrament," she said.
Now Garrett's missing, so Courtney — along with hundreds of relatives, friends and folks who have never met the Bardsleys — are searching. They are desperate to find the quiet blond boy who loved the gospel, his family and having fun.
Garrett was participating in a camping trip Aug. 20 in the Uinta Mountains in northern Utah with fellow young men from the Salem 8th Ward, Salem Utah Stake. While fishing with a group of ward members that included his father, Kevin Bardsley, Garrett apparently decided to head back to their campsite to change into dry shoes. The Deseret Morning News reported that Brother Bardsley watched his son walk the short distance, about 150 yards away, toward camp. He hollered to Garrett, asking the boy if he was sure he knew where he was going.
"Yes, Dad, I'm sure," Garrett replied.
It was the last Garrett was seen, prompting a massive search effort by police search and rescue teams, along with hundreds of rank-and-file people who know the Bardsleys, or simply learned of Garrett's disappearance and wanted to help. Initially, volunteers prayed, fasted and searched in hopes of finding Garrett alive. With the passing days came the realization that the boy had likely not survived. The rescue mission became a recovery effort.
At press time, Garrett's body had not been found. Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmunds, who directed the search and rescue operation, said he and other law officers were "devastated" by the Bardsley family's loss.
"We've thrown everything we have at (the search)," Sheriff Edmunds said. "Every piece of technology we can think of. At this point, (Garrett's) still out in the woods somewhere. . . .it's been frustrating for everybody." The formal search for Garrett ended Aug. 29, although many are expected to continue to make forays into the woods in hopes of finding some clue that might help.
Some 2 million people visit the Wasatch/Cache National Forest that encircles the Uinta Mountains each year, enjoying the area's vast forestry and trout-rich lakes. Despite a heavy volume of campers and hikers, the Uintas have proven a tricky place to find someone. "It's some of the most inhospitable country in the lower 48 states. It's an area where, if you're not familiar with it, can claim life," said Sheriff Edmunds, adding two others have been lost in the area this year.
Sheriff Edmunds is certain the forest is to blame for Garrett's disappearance — not foul play. "We don't have any reason to believe there is anything sinister going on here."
Meanwhile, Garrett's relatives say they have found comfort in the love, support and efforts of others. Gospel testimony has also sustained the Bardsleys. "We're just keeping our faith," said Courtney, 19. "We remember that our Heavenly Father has a plan for everything. (We know) we will find Garrett when we need to, when we are supposed to."
Fellow Church members from Salem, Utah, have responded to calls for help. "The ward and the whole stake has just rallied around the family and tried to help in any way they can think of to support the family," said Garrett's bishop, Brian Anderson.
On Sunday, Aug. 29, the final day of the formal search, dozens of parked cars belonging to volunteers could be found snaking up and down U-150 near the search and rescue command post where Garrett was reported missing. A few volunteers were given support jobs, making peanut butter and jelly sandwich lunches for fellow volunteers. Others were given search assignments deep in the woods. There they walked in single-file lines, keeping a close eye out for any sign that the boy may have left behind. Volunteers were told Garrett had been carrying a pack of Starburst candies and were instructed to watch for any discarded wrappers.
The Salem 8th Ward Relief Society organized an on-site support effort shortly after learning of Garrett's disappearance. "They have made sure we have had help up here for breakfasts, lunches and dinners," said Debbie Wilson, a family friend. "There have been soups for dinner and sack lunches for searchers heading out. All of the ward has helped."
Brian Hendricks of Pleasant Grove, Utah, had never met the Bardsleys prior to the disappearance. But he recognized in Garrett's well-publicized photo the faces of many of the young men he had led on Scout activities. So instead of attending Sunday Church meetings, Brother Hendricks arrived early at the Uintas and reported for search duty. He was assigned to shuttle volunteers to search locales miles removed from where Garrett was last seen.
"I don't know the family, just heard about the situation on the news," he said. "I work with Scouts; I can relate."
Volunteer Brent Frank brought his son, Jacob, to join the search. Jacob and Garrett had recently been teammates on a Little League baseball team. Brother Frank was their coach. "Garrett was quiet, but a great kid," he recalled. "He was happy-go-lucky. In baseball, he tried his hardest to do everything right."
Michael and Katherine Ridd of Salt Lake City, Utah, had planned to spend their Sunday relaxing and attending Church. Instead, they pulled on hiking boots, filled their water bottles, drove up the Uinta Mountains and searched for a boy they never knew.
"We wanted some closure for this family," Sister Ridd said. "We're here for them."
E-mail to: jswensen@desnews.com
