Sam search update #1, 5 Jul 01

While backpacking in the South San Juan Wilderness this week, I lost Sam in
the South San Juan Wilderness. He's been missing since Monday, July 2nd, last
seen near Green Lake, wearing an orange pack and a blue leash, twelve miles
from the South Fork Conejos Trailhead, 11 miles up FR250 off Colorado Highway
17, south of Alamosa. I expect he's "lost" the pack and possibly the leash. I
searched for him up until yesterday (covered 40 miles yesterday alone), but
have only a report of a lone "howl" from a backpacker on Tuesday night--this
would likely be Sam as coyotes don't howl, and there are no wolves in the
area).

There is a lot of ground he could cover in the wilderness and I am hoping to
get as many people as I can to help me look for him. It is a three and half
hour drive to the trailhead from Colorado Springs (longer from Denver), but
the bonus is seeing an area of Colorado that is stunning in its beauty and
remote wildness. The search will be primarily at 11,500 feet on the
Continental Divide. Yesterday even as I searched in frustration I was
constantly in thrall with the scenery. I saw so many elk I lost count, deer,
and even a bear (friendly black bear). I hope that if we can blanket the area
we will locate Sam. There were few backcountry backpackers in this area even
over the 4th of July week.

I am leaving tomorrow (Friday) by noon. Please call me if you can help and we
can maybe carpool. If you can come for the weekend this will be a great help.
Backpack in Saturday, then search Sunday. Running up the twelve mile trail
(2,000 foot elevation gain 9,500 to 11,500) to Green Lake took me about two
hours from the trailhead, so "car camping" is also an option. There is free
primitive camping available by the trailhead or campgrounds nearby for a small
fee.

Please call me if you can help,

Steve Bremner
stevebremner@bigfoot.com
(719)333-8742 (W)
(719)265-5600 (H)
(719)330-7566 (C)