The remains of a Canadian hiker who has been missing since late November were found near Allen Mountain in New York on Saturday morning, May 10, according to New York Department of Environmental Conservation officials.
A hiking party reportedly discovered the remains of Leo DuFour, 22, of Vaudreuil, Quebec, while hiking the Allen Mountain Trail.
NYDEC forest rangers responded to the scene along with state police to recover the remains.
This is the second time in less than two weeks that melting snow has allowed the remains of a missing hiker to be found.
The body of Sue Mi Ko, a Vermont hiker who had been missing since January, was discovered by search dogs near Mount Pisgah in Vermont on April 30.
DuFour reportedly summited 4,340-foot Allen Mountain on Friday, November 29. The LakePlacid.com website describes Allen Mountain “a long, steep, and serious hike that requires significant preparation.” The hike is 18 miles roundtrip with 3,700 feet of elevation gain and includes water crossings, unmarked trail, and steep rock slab.
New York State Police were notified that DuFour was missing at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 1 when his father called to say his son, who was expected back Saturday night, had not returned.
State police located DuFour’s car covered in snow at the trailhead.
Forest rangers led search efforts, with 59 rangers searching nearly 400 miles, primarily by foot, of rugged mountain terrain deep in harsh winter weather conditions. Rangers located one set of tracks on the trail leading from the subject’s vehicle, but recent snowfall hampered tracking.
State police used 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, despite continuous efforts and given the harsh conditions, the search mission to locate DuFour transitioned to a recovery mission.
