In Central Point, Oregon, a San Francisco man has died of
hypothermia, while trekking through the wilnderness to seek out
help for his family, stranded along a snow covered and desolate logging road. . Among the many tragic facts of this story is that James Kim, 35, was within one mile of Black Bar Lodge, a fishing lodge which would have offered him warmth, shelter and food.
Kim, an online editor, husband and father of two young children, had no way of knowing about the lodge.When he didn't return to their car, and help didn't arrive, his wife, Kati Kim feared the worst. His body was found in shallow water near Big Windy Creek, two days after searchers rescued the wife anddaughters, Penelope, 4, and Sabine, 7 months, from the car they had used as shelter for more than a week in Oregon's snowy mountains.The medical examiner could not determine exactly when James Kim died. The family had driven from San Francisco to Seattle for Thanksgiving and were on their way home. The plan was to spend the night at a luxury lodge outside Gold Beach on the coast. But the Kims had missed the vital turnoff to the coast and instead drove through the Siskiyou National Forest, passing signs warning that Bear Camp Road may be blocked by snow. Even so,they kept going, despite the fact that the snow was so heavy that James had to stick his head out the window to see, and not so clearly.The path led them amidst a confusing maze of logging roads. By the time they turned around, they were 15
miles off Bear Camp Road and stopped, fearing they were running out of gas. It was then 2 a.m. Nov. 26, and their cell phone could not get service.The family stayed together in the car as it snowed and rained for three days, with their only provisions being baby food, jelly and bottled water.On the eighth day, James Kim decided to look for help. He thought it was only a few miles down the Rogue River tothe community of Galice, but in fact it was closer to 15 miles.
In an act of desperation, James Kim set out to save his family, but lost his life in the snowy mountain roads of Oregon.Well wishers of the Kims' have sent cards, lit candles andconveyed condolences for the tragic loss of a husband, father, and hero.