The Peru Gazette

Wilderness Search:

On Dec. 1 at 2:30 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from New York State Police (NYSP) for an overdue hiker on Allen Mountain. The caller reported his son Leo DuFour was hiking on Friday and expected back Saturday night. NYSP located the subject’s car covered in snow at the Mt. Adams trailhead. Forest Rangers led search efforts, with 59 Forest Rangers searching nearly 400 miles, primarily by foot, of rugged mountain terrain deep in harsh winter conditions. Rangers located one set of tracks on the trail leading from the subject’s vehicle, but recent snowfall hampered tracking. NYSP Aviation utilized two helicopters to transport crews, drop off supplies, and conduct aerial searching as weather conditions allowed.

After more than eight days of an active search and despite continuous efforts using cell phone data analysis and the expertise of Allen Mountain hikers, Rangers have not located the subject. Given the harsh conditions, the search mission to locate DuFour transitioned to a recovery mission. The operation will upgrade to an active search if any leads regarding DuFour’s whereabouts are realized.

Searchers utilized technical equipment, temporary basecamps, and extreme physical output to complete effective searches of tight drainages, thick forest cover, ledges and cliff bands, and swampy lowlands at elevations of more than 4,000 feet. This week’s weather is expected to dip below zero, and with wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour, the windchill at the summit is expected to be -20.

Due to the treacherous conditions—dangerous terrain, up to four feet of snow, whiteouts, and windchills below—it is no longer safe for anyone to continue searching using the methods and strategies in place since Dec. 1. Search efforts going forward will be based on thorough risk analysis to put effective searchers into high probability, unsearched areas to support Rangers’ sustained commitment to bring Leo DuFour home. At this time, individuals should not attempt searching Allen Mountain.