Search for Hiker Paused Until Next Week Due to High Water
Mission has become one of recovery
By Denise Rivette
Early yesterday morning, a Red Lodge Fire Rescue team was transported by the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office helicopter to the far side of Rimrock Lake to continue the search for the hiker who vanished into East Rosebud Creek. The backpacking gear of the missing hiker and his friend were recovered from the location near their attempted Sunday crossing.
Red Lodge Fire Rescue reports, “While on site, Search and Rescue personnel found that water levels had risen since the previous day. Conditions in the creek continue to make underwater search efforts unsafe and ineffective. Tragically, it is believed the missing hiker has not survived. After consulting with the National Weather Service in Billings regarding ongoing runoff and water conditions, Red Lodge Fire Rescue and the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office have jointly decided to pause search efforts until next week. Search efforts will resume as conditions allow and will continue until the hiker is found.”
The name of the missing hiker will not be released at the request of the family.
The Carbon County Sheriff's Office and Red Lodge Fire Rescue are asking anyone who sees personal belongings in or near the creek to contact the Carbon County Sheriff's Office at 406-446-1234.
Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
By state law, Search and Rescue responsibilities fall under the County Sheriff. The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office partnered several years ago with Red Lodge Fire Rescue to provide the best possible services to our community. Sheriff McQuillan remarked, “We are very fortunate to have this positive working relationship and can't thank enough all of the volunteers who give countless hours to train and operate at peak performance.”
The video above shows a member of RLSAR retrieving the backpacking gear and the water that swept the hiker away.
Sheriff Josh McQuillan would like to remind people that crossing streams at any time can be dangerous, and crossing East Rosebud Creek on the Beaten Trail at the base of Rimrock Lake without a bridge is extremely dangerous and strongly discouraged.
The backcountry wilderness is filled with hazards that change throughout the year and from year to year. Be prepared. Know the current conditions. Know your limits. Stay aware.