Hiker Rich Moore, 71, missing for three months is found dead in Colorado with his white Jack Russell dog still alive next to his body
- Rich Moore and his dog, Finney, had set out on August 19 for a hike to Blackhead Peak in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado.
- A local hunter discovered Moore’s body on October 30
- Moore’s Jack Russell terrier survived and waited by her owner’s side
A 71-year-old hiker who has been missing since August has been found dead in the Colorado mountains with his faithful dog, who miraculously survived two months in the wilderness, by his side.
Rich Moore and his white Jack Russell, Finney, had set out on August 19 for a hike to Blackhead Peak, located in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. The missing man’s body was discovered by a local hunter in the Lower Blanco watershed on October 30.
The walking route to the 3,000 meter high summit of Blackhead is approximately five kilometers long with a difference in altitude of 2,500 meters. The road to the top is described as ‘rough, rocky and steep, but the final stretch is an unmaintained’ social path. The Mercury News reported.
The day after Moore’s body was found, members of the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office and search and rescue were flown into the area to recover the victim.
Moore’s faithful dog, who miraculously survived, was transported to a local animal hospital and later reunited with her family.
Moore’s cause of death has not been released, but authorities said foul play was not suspected Denzer Gazette reported.
Pictured: Rich Moore, 71, went missing while hiking Aug. 19 to Blackhead Peak in Colorado. His body was found more than two months later, on October 30, by a local hunter
Pictured: Moore’s best friend Finney, a Jack Russell terrier, stayed by his owner’s side for more than two months during the devastating ordeal. Finney was treated at an animal hospital and reunited with her family
The Colorado Missing Person Organization posted a flyer of the missing hiker and his dog on their website with the latest news
Moore was from Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and was attempting to climb a mountain just to the east.
Taos Search and Rescue wrote about the recovery efforts on their Facebook page.
Delinda Vanne-Brightyn, a member of the group, described her experience locating Moore. In the post, she wrote that she responded to the initial search along with her certified K9 dog named Akio Yodasan.
“We searched from just below the crest of the peak and directly west, down the mountain toward where his car was located,” Vanne-Brightyn wrote.
She spoke about the weather and conditions she and the team faced. “The wind was coming straight from the west/southwest,” she wrote.
Blackhead Peak is located in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado
‘It was so steep, we went in by helicopter. “He was found 4 miles east of the mountaintop where we were brought in (by helicopter).”
She offered her condolences to the family, writing that they were “glad they were able to get some closure and bring their dog home.”
Others went online to express their condolences to the family, sharing what a special dog Finney was and sharing their gratitude to the search and rescue teams.
‘Amazing that the dog stayed with him. They truly are man’s best friend,” one person wrote.
“Kudos to the search team for their tenacity,” wrote another.
“Thanks for saving them and thanks Buddy for sticking with him!”
While another wrote how “sad” the ordeal was, but was grateful Moore wasn’t alone. They wrote in part, “Dogs are faithful, he didn’t die alone.”