After searching for a missing Adirondack hiker for nearly a week and a half in brutal winter conditions, authorities in New York say the hiker is now presumed dead.
Yesterday, officials with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) announced that efforts to find the hiker — Leo DuFour, 22 from Vaudreuil, Quebec — have transitioned from a rescue operation to a recovery operation.
According to NYDEC officials, 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 Mt. Adams 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 and despite continuous efforts using cell phone data analysis and the expertise of Allen Mountain hikers, rangers had not located DuFour.
Given the harsh conditions, the search mission to locate DuFour transitioned to a recovery mission. Officials said the operation will now upgrade to an active search if any leads regarding DuFour’s whereabouts are realized.
Officials said rescue crews used 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.
The weather this week 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 — officials said it is no longer safe for anyone to continue searching using the methods and strategies in place since December 1.
Officials said 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 DuFour home.
Officials said at this time individuals should not attempt searching Allen Mountain.