Update, 3:20 p.m. Sept. 17: The search is continuing today with multiple resources active. The New Mexico State Police and La Plata County Search and rescue Teams, along with volunteers from as far away as Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Wyoming and numerous other states, and counties across the state, and the nation have and are responding. We have had more than 54 teams of professionally trained Search and Rescue personnel mixed with volunteers in the field. Each team is made up of three to four individuals either on foot or on horseback. We also have numerous drones flying the area combined with Flight for Life, Classic and a personally owned Black Hawk helicopter.
Original:
On Sept. 13, the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Rio De Los Pinos Trail Head attempting to make contact with two individuals who were reported overdue while elk hunting.
Andrew Porter, 25, of Asheville, N.C., and Ian Stasko, 25, of Salt Lake City, Utah, were in the San Juan Wilderness Area west of Trujillo Meadows Reservoir when they failed to check in with loved ones at a predetermined time.
The vehicle that Porter and Stasko drove to the trailhead was located, but neither individual was there. Camping gear and backpacks were located in the vehicle, prompting deputies to become concerned due to heavy rain and bad weather.
Search and rescue operations were immediately put into place resulting in a massive search. Air operations, multi-county and state ground teams, dog teams, drone teams, ATVs and local volunteers are working the area.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Conejos County Sheriff's Office at (719) 376-2196 or Colorado State Patrol Dispatch at (719) 589-5807.
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