Body of missing hiker found in Colorado mountains with his dog alive by his side

The body of an elderly hiker missing since August in Colorado’s San Juan mountains was discovered by a hunter who also found the man’s dog alive at the scene, authorities said.

Rich Moore, of Pagosa Springs, southern Colorado, and his Jack Russell terrier, Finney, failed to return from a trip to the mountains on 19 August. The 71-year-old outdoor enthusiast had planned to reach the 3,810-metre (12,500ft) summit of Blackhead Peak, about 20 miles from his hometown, according to family members.

Taos Search and Rescue (Tsar), which conducted the initial search, said in a Facebook post that Moore’s body was found by a hunter on 30 October in the Lower Blanco drainage basin. The hunter alerted authorities and a team from the Archuleta county sheriff’s office, and search and rescue crew members, were flown in the next day to locate, identify and retrieve the body, the Denver Gazette reported.

Little Finney was found next to Moore’s body and taken to a local veterinary office for evaluation and treatment. The dog has since been reunited with Moore’s family.

No cause of death for Moore has been released, the Gazette said, but authorities say they do not suspect foul play.

Delinda Vanne-Brightyn, a member of the Tsar crew, described the search and rescue efforts in her group’s social media post. She said she and her own certified rescue dog “searched from just under the peak-top and directly west, searching down the mountain toward where his car was located”.

She said the area was particularly steep, with strong winds.

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“Delinda and TSAR would like to send our condolences to the family, but are glad they were able to gain some closure as well as bring their dog back home,” the post said.