Red Feather Lakes Area S&R Mission

Photo courtesy of Colorado 4×4 Rescue & Recovery Members

At 10:00 on July 30th, 2018 Colorado 4×4 Rescue and Recovery, Search and Rescue-Emergency Support team was contacted by a third party regarding a stuck vehicle and its 2 occupants deep in the Red Feather Lakes area. The Requesting Party (RP) and his 2 friends had been wheeling in the mud pits area and had gotten stuck. The RP chose to hike out at 2200 hours on 7/29/18, getting back to town at 0430. The RP did not have coordinates of the stuck vehicle and reported limited supplies but no injuries. At time of request for help the Lost Parties, they had been in the back country for over 24 hours. Larimer County Sheriff was notified of the situation. A vehicle search team was assembled in 30 minutes and mapped a route based on extensive local knowledge of the area that enclosed the search area. Family and friends were researched and contacted for further information regarding the Lost Parties. A second team was put on stand-by with a deployment time scheduled for 18:00 hours. Tire tracks were found, consistent with photos of the Lost Party vehicle photos and were followed. These tracks led to the mired vehicle and its occupants. An assessment was made of the Lost Parties who seemed in good health, reported no issues. A vehicle recovery was executed but the vehicle was unable to exit the back country under its own power. Vehicle was flat towed to Red Feather Lakes area. Search was complete at 20:15 hours. Larimer County Sheriff office was notified search was complete.

4 search vehicles deployed.
4 search members deployed.
3 dispatchers supported search efforts.
10 hours from initial contact to search complete.
36 search team member hours.
28 dispatch member hours.