Body of missing hiker found in Colorado mountains with his dog alive by his side

[loyalty]

Rich Moore, 71, failed to return home after a plan to scale a 12,500ft
peak in August with a hunter finding his remains and the dog.

The body of an elderly hiker missing since August in Colorado’s San Juan
mountains was discovered by a hunter who also found the man’s dog alive at
the scene, authorities said.

Rich Moore, of Pagosa Springs, southern Colorado, and his Jack Russell
terrier, Finney, failed to return from a trip to the mountains on 19
August. The 71-year-old outdoor enthusiast had planned to reach the
12,500ft summit of Blackhead Peak, about 20 miles from his hometown,
according to family members.

Taos Search and Rescue (Tsar), which conducted the initial search, said in
a Facebook post that Moore’s body was found by a hunter on 30 October in
the Lower Blanco drainage basin. The hunter alerted authorities and a team
from the Archuleta county sheriff’s office, and search and rescue crew
members, were flown in the next day to locate, identify and retrieve the
body, the Denver Gazette reported.

Little Finney was found next to Moore’s body and taken to a local
veterinary office for evaluation and treatment. The dog has since been
reunited with Moore’s family.

No cause of death for Moore has been released, the Gazette said, but
authorities say they do not suspect foul play.

Delinda Vanne-Brightyn, a member of the Tsar crew, described the search
and rescue efforts in her group’s social media post. She said she and her
own certified rescue dog “searched from just under the peak-top and
directly west, searching down the mountain toward where his car was
located”.

She said the area was particularly steep, with strong winds.

“Delinda and TSAR would like to send our condolences to the family, but
are glad they were able to gain some closure as well as bring their dog
back home,” the post said.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/13/colorado-missing-hiker-
found

[nat...@ng-mail.net]

Amazing the dog stayed in the area for over a month. Definitely was
hunting for food and water and then returning to the body.