Photo courtesy of Grand County Search and Rescue.
GRAND COUNTY, COLORADO — A search for a missing hunter near Sheep Mountain and South Corral Peak concluded successfully on Friday, November 22, when the man was found cold but unharmed by another hunter. The incident prompted a massive response from Grand County Search and Rescue (GCSAR) and numerous partner agencies.
The hunter, separated from his group mid-day Thursday, was reported missing at 7:40 p.m. to the GCSAR incident command team. Recognizing the urgent need to locate him, GCSAR immediately deployed 17 responders to begin an overnight search. The man had not been equipped to spend the night in freezing conditions.
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The first operational period of the search lasted through the night without success. At dawn, GCSAR transitioned to a second operational period and requested additional assistance through the Colorado Search and Rescue Association. Resources included personnel and equipment from local fire departments, the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, Routt and Summit County SAR teams, Flight for Life Colorado, and even the state’s Multi-Mission Aircraft.
At 12:20 p.m. Friday, GCSAR was notified that the hunter had been located by another outdoorsman in the area. Despite being cold and hungry, he had used survival skills to endure the frigid night. According to GCSAR, the man, a military veteran, created a makeshift shelter and attempted to start a fire using binoculars. After rewarming by a fire built by the other hunter, he was escorted to the trailhead, where Grand County EMS evaluated his condition.
GCSAR expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort from partner agencies that led to the successful rescue. The organization also reminded outdoor enthusiasts to always carry the “10 essentials,” which include items like food, water, shelter, and fire-starting tools.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Lessons Learned for Backcountry Users
- Always carry adequate supplies, including the ten essentials, to prepare for unexpected emergencies.
- Let someone know your planned route and return time.
- Consider carrying navigation tools like a map and compass or GPS device in addition to a fully charged phone.
- Brush up on basic survival skills, including building shelter and starting a fire, which could be lifesaving in emergencies.
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