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

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