Hiker search shifts to limited recovery mission

NEWCOMB: The search for Leo Dufour, a 22-year-old hiker from Quebec, is taking a tough turn. He went missing on Allen Mountain over a week ago, and now the search is becoming more about recovery. The weather has been brutal, with cold temperatures and heavy snowfall making it dangerous for search teams to continue their efforts.

Dufour set out on his hike alone on November 29. Since then, 59 forest rangers have covered a lot of ground, but the conditions have made it really hard to find him. The snow is piling up, and searchers are literally “swimming” in it, which is just wild. They’ve had to make the tough call to shift to a limited search, focusing on safety.

Forest Ranger Jamison Martin mentioned how hard it is to make this decision. He really wants to bring closure to Dufour’s family. The weather has been so rough, with winds creating whiteouts and temperatures dropping below -25 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s no joke out there.

They’ve had to rescue a volunteer searcher recently, which just adds to the challenges. The last sign of Dufour was a water bottle found near the summit. While there’s a slim chance he could still be alive, the odds are not in his favor. The search teams are keeping in touch with his family, but they’re keeping those conversations private.

If you’re thinking about heading out to help search, the rangers are strongly advising against it. They don’t want to have to rescue anyone else. It’s a tough situation, and everyone is hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.