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Missing Hiker Update: CDT Trail Hiker still missing Stephen "Otter" Olshansky

Stephen Olshansky, whose trail name is “Otter,” is a very experienced hiker who has hiked the three long-distance trails that comprise the “Triple Crown of Hiking”—the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail—multiple times. He hiked the Continental Divide Trail from Mexico to Canada just last year.

A possible lead earlier this month regarding Otter's Red/Grey tent being found in Chama went dry, and no further reports at this time have confirmed whether his tent was actually found or not. 

Assist in the search for Otter here: https://thesearchforotter.wordpress.com/home/news/ 

Read the full article here:

http://www.cibolabeacon.com/cops_and_crime/hiker-still-missing/article_728a8898-be55-11e5-a4ad-036cce771d59.html

Featured Trail Hike: Embudito Trailhead and Oso Spring

It doesn't matter what time of day (or year) it is, visiting the Sandias is always breathtaking. Though it does help to visit in the early-mid mornings.



 

I decided to start exploring the more southern regions of the Sandia Mountains, since most of it is actually quicker access to the Cibola National Forest/Wilderness.  I went for the Embudito Trail, which is a small, free (yay! free!) parking lot heading towards the western, lower base of the mountains.  I had only read a little bit about this place, so navigating it with dogs was a bit confusing, but at least the trails were clear.  I actually didn't end up on the Embudito trail til mid-afternoon. It turns out I walked straight into the canyon (which gets narrow very quickly) and into the Oso Springs.  I did a video while I was there, and probably said a bunch of incorrect stuff that I didn't figure out til I got home.

But seriously, look at it. look.  that's three-inch thick ice in front of me, and it only got thicker farther up.  It's a steep, slippery section, so unless you have microspikes on your footwear, don't try it. 

I'm really starting to fall in love with the Cibola National Forest.  

Want to find this place on your own?  Check out the Sandia Mountains GPS-Powered Trail Map by Dharma Maps:  

Hiking Advice from one of the deadliest Trails in New Mexico

The La Luz trail is one of the most popular, yet deadly trails near Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In 2015 at least 5 people died on or near the trail.  Most of them were unprepared day hikers, but there were a few experienced folks that met their demise there as well.

Here's a look at this trail during off-season, with some helpful advice:

Missing Hiker Update: Sandia Rescue Crews work to locate 2 different groups of Hikers

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Crews in the Sandia Mountains are in the process of rescuing one group of hikers while a second group remains missing, ...

from Google Alert - missing hiker http://ift.tt/1JurSGE
via IFTTT