Missing climber in silverton area

[Gulf_Coast_Hiker]

SAR update from Monday (7/25):

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_ ... %2As%2As-R

[Dan_Suitor]

SAR report from Tuesday morning. Still hoping for the best.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_ ... 6609886377

[Carl_Healy]

Search temporarily suspended due to weather (Flood Watch)

Facebook Link

[pleiades]

Copied from San Juan County's Facebook post:

UPDATE Sunday July31st: Trinity Peaks Search Operation for Daniel Lamthach
6 San Juan County SAR team members went deep into the 10 mile creek area Friday July 29th.
The Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Train took all 6 of them in and brought 3 team members out today.
They backpacked in and have been camping out all weekend long.
3 more SAR team members remain in the backcountry.

[XterraRob]

How effective are infrared cameras in locating individuals in the wilderness?

[mtree]

How effective are infrared cameras in locating individuals in the wilderness?

Depends. Without getting deep into the science behind it, infrared cameras convert thermal wavelengths (essentially heat) into visual light images (our eyes). As you might imagine, they can be very effective in recording or spotting warm blooded animals at night especially if there's an obvious temperature difference. Moving objects can be spotted much easier than static ones. Other objects can be displayed given their difference in heat output/signature. For instance, a rock in the early evening may appear brighter than the surrounding foliage, but late at night when it has cooled may be invisible. There are limitations. Concealed objects may not be detected. Some objects with identical thermal wavelengths may blend together. Some objects reflect or diffuse the wavelengths. Depending on the shape of the reflection, it may be difficult to identify, and cold or hot surroundings can even conceal objects. Many of the infrared cameras also have a visible wavelength band to "blend" the objects using the low light given off.

Overall, they're very effective at night to identify living creatures. You've probably seen lots of trail camera images of mountain lions, etc. at night.

[XterraRob]

Depends. Without getting deep into the science behind it, infrared cameras convert thermal wavelengths (essentially heat) into visual light images (our eyes). As you might imagine, they can be very effective in recording or spotting warm blooded animals at night especially if there's an obvious temperature difference. Moving objects can be spotted much easier than static ones. Other objects can be displayed given their difference in heat output/signature. For instance, a rock in the early evening may appear brighter than the surrounding foliage, but late at night when it has cooled may be invisible. There are limitations. Concealed objects may not be detected. Some objects with identical thermal wavelengths may blend together. Some objects reflect or diffuse the wavelengths. Depending on the shape of the reflection, it may be difficult to identify, and cold or hot surroundings can even conceal objects. Many of the infrared cameras also have a visible wavelength band to "blend" the objects using the low light given off.

Overall, they're very effective at night to identify living creatures. You've probably seen lots of trail camera images of mountain lions, etc. at night.

Thank you for taking the time to explain that

[Carl_Healy]

Monday 8-1 update from San Juan County Facebook

SAN JUAN COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM SPENT WEEKEND SCOURING REMOTE SEGMENTS OF WILDERNESS IN THE SEARCH FOR MISSING HIKER

SAN JUAN COUNTY, CO: On Friday July 29th, 2022, 6 San Juan County SAR team members went into the 10-mile creek area to search for missing hiker Daniel Lamthach, a 22-year-old male from Salt Lake City who has been missing since July 17th. Friday afternoon, the team accessed the remote wilderness area by the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge train and were dropped off on the side of the railroad tracks. The SAR team then crossed the Animas River by boat and then hiked into a lesser traveled and treacherous area of the search operations plan. The team spent the weekend camped out in the high country and after two nights half the team came out Sunday while the rest of the SAR team came out by train on Monday August 1st, 2022, after three nights. There were no signs of Daniel Lamthach after an intense ground search by the SAR team.

“The 10-mile creek drainage to Balsam Lake has been thoroughly searched and due to the rugged terrain and no established trails, it is imperative that no individual or independent search party travel along that drainage. All areas that have been searched over the past 12 days are extremely dangerous, mostly off trail and the risk of an individual getting injured is high. If someone gets into trouble out there, a rescue effort would be long and arduous.” Cameron Crowell Silverton Medical Rescue

Although some SAR team members went out this weekend to continue a ground search, the temporary suspension of the search operation will continue until more information, signs of Daniel or clues come into light. All Search and Rescue team members in the entire State of Colorado as well as San Juan County are volunteers who risk their own lives to step up in a time of need for others. They are your friends, family and neighbors who reside amongst us and put their lives on hold to join a search and rescue operation when needed. The number one priority for any Search and Rescue team is the team's protection and safety.

“The heavy use of resources in the initial stages of this search operation are valuable to all of Southwest Colorado. At this time, we will no longer be utilizing these resources in order to keep them available for our neighboring communities. If more information or clues are found in connection with Daniel, we will certainly activate those resources again.”
Cameron Crowell Silverton Medical Rescue

“Not being able to find a missing person is really hard to deal with emotionally, physically and mentally as a rescuer. Our team has put in the energy to extensively search and follow up on all the possible leads we’ve received, and we have also searched areas with even a remote possibility that Daniel could be there. Although official search operations have been suspended, our team members will always be looking for Daniel. My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Daniel Lamthach.”
Melissa Flynn Silverton Medical Rescue

Is there a role for members of the public in backcountry rescue? - Colorado Search & Rescue Association (coloradosar.org)

Silverton Medical Rescue & OEM

[Trotter]

Monday 8-1 update from San Juan County Facebook

SAN JUAN COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM SPENT WEEKEND SCOURING REMOTE SEGMENTS OF WILDERNESS IN THE SEARCH FOR MISSING HIKER

SAN JUAN COUNTY, CO: On Friday July 29th, 2022, 6 San Juan County SAR team members went into the 10-mile creek area to search for missing hiker Daniel Lamthach, a 22-year-old male from Salt Lake City who has been missing since July 17th. Friday afternoon, the team accessed the remote wilderness area by the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge train and were dropped off on the side of the railroad tracks. The SAR team then crossed the Animas River by boat and then hiked into a lesser traveled and treacherous area of the search operations plan. The team spent the weekend camped out in the high country and after two nights half the team came out Sunday while the rest of the SAR team came out by train on Monday August 1st, 2022, after three nights. There were no signs of Daniel Lamthach after an intense ground search by the SAR team.

“The 10-mile creek drainage to Balsam Lake has been thoroughly searched and due to the rugged terrain and no established trails, it is imperative that no individual or independent search party travel along that drainage. All areas that have been searched over the past 12 days are extremely dangerous, mostly off trail and the risk of an individual getting injured is high. If someone gets into trouble out there, a rescue effort would be long and arduous.” Cameron Crowell Silverton Medical Rescue

Although some SAR team members went out this weekend to continue a ground search, the temporary suspension of the search operation will continue until more information, signs of Daniel or clues come into light. All Search and Rescue team members in the entire State of Colorado as well as San Juan County are volunteers who risk their own lives to step up in a time of need for others. They are your friends, family and neighbors who reside amongst us and put their lives on hold to join a search and rescue operation when needed. The number one priority for any Search and Rescue team is the team's protection and safety.

“The heavy use of resources in the initial stages of this search operation are valuable to all of Southwest Colorado. At this time, we will no longer be utilizing these resources in order to keep them available for our neighboring communities. If more information or clues are found in connection with Daniel, we will certainly activate those resources again.”
Cameron Crowell Silverton Medical Rescue

“Not being able to find a missing person is really hard to deal with emotionally, physically and mentally as a rescuer. Our team has put in the energy to extensively search and follow up on all the possible leads we’ve received, and we have also searched areas with even a remote possibility that Daniel could be there. Although official search operations have been suspended, our team members will always be looking for Daniel. My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Daniel Lamthach.”
Melissa Flynn Silverton Medical Rescue

Is there a role for members of the public in backcountry rescue? - Colorado Search & Rescue Association (coloradosar.org)

Silverton Medical Rescue & OEM

Reminds me of that story of that guy who went into the holy cross wilderness solo...

[daway8]

This post was started by a friend of the missing person - it's grossly disrespectful to post morbid speculations regardless of the present circumstances...

[sunny1]

This post was started by a friend of the missing person - it's grossly disrespectful to post morbid speculations regardless of the present circumstances...

Agree 100%
His mom & sister were handing out flyers in Silverton last night.
My husband met them personally, chatted with them.
Very heartbreaking.

[Peak200]

Mmm I don't see any posts here that are disrespectful
All just trying to help

I really hope we get some kind of good news