|
 Many
people have fallen victim to the rugged terrain and
extreme climatic conditions that often prevail on
Superstition Mountain. Siphon Draw, on the west face
of Superstition Mountain, is a classic example of a
climatic basin affected by weather extremes during
the cooler months of the year. The elevation changes
from 2,400 feet to 5,024 feet in a very short
distance. This rapid change in elevation can alter
the temperature dramatically, especially during the
winter months.
On Sunday, November 15, 1964, two brothers decided
to go deer hunting in the canyons along the west
face of Superstition Mountain. A winter storm was
moving in, but they believed they could hunt until
dark and then hike back to their pickup truck
without difficulty.
They hiked a trail just north of Mining Camp
Restaurant that followed the slope of the mountain
into Siphon Draw. Richard Kermis, the older of the
two brothers lived in Mesa with his expectant wife
Barbara. Robert Kermis, his brother, was visiting
from Fredonia, Pa. Hunting in this rugged terrain
can be real challenging even to a veteran
outdoorsman.
The brothers had hunted together before. However,
they were young and inexperienced to desert
conditions. On this particular day they hunted most
of the time and climbed around the rocks in the
area.
 At sundown the brothers had not returned to their
pickup. Later that evening, Barbara, Richard’s wife,
reported her husband and his brother missing to the
Pinal County and Maricopa County Sheriff’s offices.
The next day a search was implemented by both
counties that continued for four and a half days. On
Wednesday, November 18, 1964 the temperature in
Siphon Draw had dropped to 15 degrees F. and above
four thousand feet there was a foot of snow. After
the third day hope was given up that the brothers
would be found alive.
Roy Leubben, Tom Daley, and Deputy Sheriff Toby
Drummond had worked the search area for three days
by nightfall on Wednesday, November 18. Roy Leubben
claimed all the trails had been checked in a 15-mile
radius of the search area. Still there was no sign
of the two missing brothers. The search continued,
and the number of searchers had grown to several
hundred horseman and hikers by Thursday. The weather
began to clear Thursday morning. Still there was no
sign of the missing brothers on Superstition
Mountain.
On Friday, November 20, 1964, Mike Laughlin of
Coolidge, making his last pass through Siphon Draw
discovered the two bodies. The position of the
bodies indicated the older brother was trying to
shield his younger injured brother from the extreme
cold. Investigators believed Robert Kermis fell from
the top of a ledge some 60 feet. He was severely
injured and couldn’t move. The weather changed
rapidly and darkness was upon them.
A closer examination of the bodies assured the
investigators that Richard tried to protect his
younger brother from the extreme freezing conditions
in Siphon Draw.
Judge Norman Teason called for an inquest to be held
at his office in the Palo Verde Lodge on Apache
Trail. An autopsy was performed by Dr. Alford D.
Musgrave, Pinal County pathologist. He determined
Robert died from a broken back and the complication
of freezing temperatures. Richard died from
hypothermia. Temperatures at night probably dropped
down to 22 degrees below freezing on the Fahrenheit
scale.
Richard and Robert Kermis died on the mountain from
the results of a severe winter storm. They were
challenged by weather, severe injuries and isolation
even though they could see the lights of houses
below and the lights of Apache Junction in the
distance. The brothers didn’t attempt to build a
fire because they didn’t have any matches or dry
tinder.
Death on the Superstition Mountain under these
circumstances is nothing but tragic and overwhelming
to the family and loved ones. The story goes to
show, you don’t have to be in the rugged interior of
the mountain to meet up with tragedy. The Kermis
family suffered the ultimate during that tragic week
in November of 1964.
Since the turn of the century many individuals have
lost their lives on Superstition Mountain. One
should always approach this mountain with caution
and common sense. Always let somebody know where you
are going and when you expect to return.
It is recommended to always go prepared for extreme
weather conditions during the winter months or
summer months. |
