Multi-Agency Search and Rescue Operation Saves Illinois Hunter in Rawah Wilderness
A 57-year-old Illinois hunter survived two nights in severe winter conditions in the Rawah Wilderness after becoming separated from his hunting group, thanks to a coordinated rescue effort involving more than 15 agencies across Northern Colorado.
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office received the missing person report September 22 at approximately 6:38 p.m. when the hunter failed to return to camp near the Jack Dickens Trail off Jackson County Road 12E, close to the Three Sisters Trailhead. The hunter's last communication was a text message sent at 3:21 p.m. indicating he was lost.
Search operations faced immediate challenges as deteriorating weather conditions and approaching darkness prevented rescuers from deploying that evening. Snow, cold temperatures, and high winds continued throughout the three-day operation, making navigation extremely difficult in the rugged wilderness terrain.
Ground search efforts began September 23 with Jackson County Search and Rescue and Colorado Parks and Wildlife conducting extensive operations for approximately 10 hours before suspending for the night. Air support remained unavailable due to weather conditions.
The breakthrough came September 24 when the hunter was able to place several 911 calls that were routed to surrounding agencies, helping narrow his location. Around 1:00 p.m., air support located the hunter in good health. He credited his survival to staying calm, maintaining a fire, and using his sleeping bag and warm clothing during the ordeal.
The successful rescue involved unprecedented coordination between agencies from multiple Colorado counties. Larimer County Search and Rescue participated alongside teams from Jackson, Grand, and Routt counties, with air support provided by Classic Air Medical and coordination through the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.
"This is just one example of the remarkable work that comes out of great partnerships with other local agencies," the Larimer County Sheriff's Office stated, expressing gratitude for the successful conclusion and praising local search and rescue crews.
The Rawah Wilderness, which straddles Jackson and Larimer counties, presents particular challenges for search and rescue operations due to its remote location and severe weather conditions. According to Colorado emergency management protocols, multi-jurisdictional wilderness incidents require coordinated command structures and mutual aid agreements between county sheriff's offices.
Larimer County Search and Rescue, Inc. operates as a nonprofit volunteer organization with approximately 100 members who respond to more than 100 incidents annually throughout Larimer County, according to the Colorado Backcountry Search and Rescue Study. The organization works under the authority of the Larimer County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Unit and receives funding through county support, the Colorado Search and Rescue Fund, and community donations.
Northern Colorado search and rescue teams have documented steadily increasing call volumes over the past five years, paralleling increased recreational use of wilderness areas. The majority of incidents occur during late spring through early fall, with common causes including lost hikers, weather-related emergencies, and injuries from falls or medical conditions.
The incident demonstrates the effectiveness of Colorado's search and rescue mutual aid system, where teams from different counties coordinate under the Incident Command System for complex wilderness operations. When incidents span county lines, sheriff's offices establish unified command structures and activate Emergency Operations Centers to manage resource deployment and communications.
Volunteers with participating search and rescue teams undergo rigorous ongoing training in wilderness search, technical rescue, avalanche response, navigation, and medical protocols. The extensive training requirements and personal financial commitments of volunteers are essential to maintaining readiness for challenging operations like the Rawah Wilderness rescue.
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office emphasized the dedication and teamwork of all participating agencies, noting that ground teams, K9 units, air support, and multi-agency coordination were vital to bringing the search to a safe conclusion.