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DENVER (KDVR) A search is underway for two elk hunters in the San Juan National Forest Wilderness Area after they were reported missing on Saturday.
On Saturday, the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to the Rio De Los Pinos Trailhead, west of Trujillo Meadows Reservoir, after two men were reported overdue while elk hunting.
The sheriff’s office said Andrew Porter, 25, from Asheville, North Carolina, and Ian Stasko, 25, from Salt Lake City, didn’t check in with their loved ones at a predetermined time.
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Search and rescue efforts are underway after Andrew Porter, 25, from Asheville, North Carolina, and Ian Stasko, 25, from Salt Lake City went missing in the San Juan National Forest Wilderness Area. (Credit: Lori Meistrell) -
Search and rescue at Los Pinos Trailhead on Sept. 17 (Courtesy of Conejos County) -
Search and rescue at Los Pinos Trailhead on Sept. 17 (Courtesy of Conejos County) -
Search and rescue at Los Pinos Trailhead on Sept. 17 (Courtesy of Conejos County) -
Search and rescue at Los Pinos Trailhead on Sept. 17 (Courtesy of Conejos County)
Once deputies couldn’t find the men, but found their car at the trailhead along with their camping gear and backpacks inside the vehicle, search and rescue operations began immediately.
Deputies were concerned due to heavy rain and bad weather. This resulted in a “massive search” with helicopters, multi-county and state grounds teams, dog teams, drone teams, ATVs and local volunteers, the sheriff’s office said.
As of Wednesday, the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office, the New Mexico State Police, La Plata County search and rescue teams and volunteers from as far as Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Wyoming and many other states have joined in the search.
The families of Porter and Stasko told FOX31 Wednesday that on Sept. 11, the men were seen on a trail camera near their vehicle in the trailhead area. Other hunters also reported seeing Porter and Stasko on Sept. 12, heading back out from the trailhead, just a day before the search began.
Both Porter and Stasko’s families have flown out from the East Coast and are helping with search efforts.
Porter’s aunt, Lori Meistrell, told FOX31 that it has been an overwhelming time and they are “praying for a positive outcome.”
“While we hold out hope to find these boys alive, we want to find them and bring them back either way. If this turns into a search and recovery instead of search and rescue, we hope to continue to get community support to find them,” said Meistrell.
As of Wednesday evening, five days since the search began, the two men are still missing.
The families have set up a fundraiser to aid in rescue efforts for people wanting to donate, which can be found on GoFundMe’s website.
