in the 90’s with a merciless desert sun. I
picture a disoriented, barefoot subject.
Would he seek shade, perhaps under
a juniper tree or sagebush? Would he
wander into a stock pond (some are 10’
deep)? Would he crawl into a lava crevice
or cave? Would he pass out and just lie
there, exposed to the sun all day?
Except for the tracking teams that are
following a known track, this search is
still in the ‘Hasty’ mode which is a quick
search of the most likely locations. While
waiting for other mounted searchers
to team up with, I obtain permission to
ride while keeping visual contact with
the ICP. Comet takes me quickly to low
ridges surrounding the last known camping area of the subject. We also circle
several stock ponds looking for footprints or other evidence. I radio in the
location of a pair of tennis shoes plus the
approximate size—too small for the size
12 of the subject—and mark it with biodegradable flagging. As daylight wanes,
mounted volunteers Dennis and Deanie
arrive. We become a team and search a
designated area by flashlight till nearly
midnight without success. After securing
our horses and providing them with feed
and water, we settle in for the night. I am
looking forward to a pick-up seat with
coats and shirts for pillow and blanket.
Dennis and Deanie have brought cots
and sleeping bags. Daniel, the Incident
Commander, proudly brings us a bag of
potato chips and checks to see that we
are OK. Searches will begin again at first
light. Dennis accepts a vintage energy
bar from me. Sheriff Phil is in his patrol
vehicle, most other searchers are either
in their rigs or at the Work & Play trailer
that is the ICP. Three counties have SAR
members present and more searchers are
expected in the morning.
Early morning brings two more
mounted members plus many others
on foot, ATV’s, and a fresh search dog
team. Helicopter(s) and plane(s) will
also be arriving. We now have five horses
and are split into two mounted teams.
The two horse team will search an outer
perimeter going clockwise. Our team
will search an inner loop going counter
clockwise. Sound sweeps, calling out or
using a whistle, are employed along with
visual sweeps. I try to remember to look
back, as statistics say that 60% of finds
are from behind. Every 20 to 30 minutes
there was a radio check on each team in
the field. We had completed most of our
loop with out any promise of finding our
subject. The radio crackled with “Team 6
this is Command”, and asked us location,
% of designated area that we had covered,
and we were told to return to base. All
three of us headed in the direction of the
5