AK AK - Steve Keel, 61, missing from hunting trip, from TN - Aug 27, 2022

[WingsOverTX]

"His wife, Liz, said “a team of ex military with special ops and search and rescue experience that are from our community are preparing to fly to Alaska as we speak so the search goes on. I am amazed but so encouraged that there’s more people that will be right there looking in everyplace possible to find Steve.”....more at link

Stewart County Team To Join Search For Steve Keel

Deadhorse, Alaska–A team of Stewart County men with training in special ops and search and rescue operations are on the way to Alaska to join the search for Steve Keel of Dover. Keel went missing on a

www.radionwtn.com

Sounds great if 1) they have been cleared by the North Slope Burrough SAR/LE to enter the search area and 2) they have the prep & gear required for an Arctic search.

The only reason to go is if local SAR believes they can help expand search capacity. We don't need more disappearances. Injury or casualty is very possible as well. Every day that passes, winter conditions encroach & increase the dangers.

I admire all who desire to help but remain skeptical that this group can do more than an indigenous group can.

I hope to be proven wrong.

 

[WingsOverTX]

Some sobering info & good news here:
Because the Dalton Highway Corridor is home to massive grizzly bears as well as caribou, hunters are encouraged to cache their meat away from camp, although the Alaska Department of Fish and Game advises keeping a clear line of sight between the cache and your camp.

Law enforcement involved in the search efforts informed Keel’s wife, Liz, that there were no signs of a bear attack.

Caribou Hunter Still Missing in Alaska; Sons Launch New Search

Efforts to find missing hunter, Steve Keel, have turned up nothing, so his two sons traveled from Tennessee to launch their own search.

freerangeamerican.us

The search area is remote, and the land can be incredibly unforgiving. The area is full of waterlogged muskeg that resembles a firm, grass-covered plain. Despite its appearance, muskeg is soft and mucky and is an easy place for a person to get stuck.

Alaska is a place of extremes — extreme terrain, extreme weather, and extreme predators. According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons database funded by the US Department of Justice, there are currently 1,200 open missing person cases in the state. When you take into account Alaska’s sparse population, it has the highest missing persons rate in the country.

BBM

 

[JustMyself]

Article on the missing in AK:

In the Land of Missing Persons

Two families, two bodies, and a wilderness of secrets

www.theatlantic.com

Such an informative article, thanks so much for sharing it!

 

[charminglane]

"His wife, Liz, said “a team of ex military with special ops and search and rescue experience that are from our community are preparing to fly to Alaska as we speak so the search goes on. I am amazed but so encouraged that there’s more people that will be right there looking in everyplace possible to find Steve.”....more at link

Stewart County Team To Join Search For Steve Keel

Deadhorse, Alaska–A team of Stewart County men with training in special ops and search and rescue operations are on the way to Alaska to join the search for Steve Keel of Dover. Keel went missing on a

www.radionwtn.com

I hope they stay safe themselves.

 

[RickshawFan]

"His wife, Liz, said “a team of ex military with special ops and search and rescue experience that are from our community are preparing to fly to Alaska as we speak so the search goes on. I am amazed but so encouraged that there’s more people that will be right there looking in everyplace possible to find Steve.”....more at link

Stewart County Team To Join Search For Steve Keel

Deadhorse, Alaska–A team of Stewart County men with training in special ops and search and rescue operations are on the way to Alaska to join the search for Steve Keel of Dover. Keel went missing on a

www.radionwtn.com

There are many types of "special ops" and "search and rescue experience".

I trust the group described this way has touched base with on-the-ground AK SAR before they go. SAR skills are location-specific; they will also in this case be specific to wilderness rescue (i.e. not urban rescue). Some, but not a lot of military train in AK; these are specialists.

 

[LauraAnne]

At some point in a long search like this, you have to ask, "maybe this didn't happen in the way we think it did"? It seems he could have headed out toward where they were keeping the caribou, and decided not to do that, and instead, head in a different direction - to the road to hitch a ride to where his cell phone would be active and he could send a few texts, or he spotted something and decided to try to follow it instead of heading to the caribou storage area, etc.

This has been quite a thorough search - maybe they're thinking of looking in other directions, back to the drawing board.

 

[WingsOverTX]

At some point in a long search like this, you have to ask, "maybe this didn't happen in the way we think it did"? It seems he could have headed out toward where they were keeping the caribou, and decided not to do that, and instead, head in a different direction - to the road to hitch a ride to where his cell phone would be active and he could send a few texts, or he spotted something and decided to try to follow it instead of heading to the caribou storage area, etc.

This has been quite a thorough search - maybe they're thinking of looking in other directions, back to the drawing board.

I agree. At this point, all assumptions should be on the table for revision. Getting some fresh eyes at the scene & examining efforts already made could help yield a breakthrough.

For his family to be left without any answers would be the worst outcome. Knowing every feasible effort has been made might give comfort to his family even if further efforts come up empty.

So far, the SAR efforts appear to be excellent but they are fighting some big nature challenges that are only going to increase.

I hope you were able to leave a sign of some kind to help locate you, sir!
MOO

 

[RickshawFan]

At some point in a long search like this, you have to ask, "maybe this didn't happen in the way we think it did"? It seems he could have headed out toward where they were keeping the caribou, and decided not to do that, and instead, head in a different direction - to the road to hitch a ride to where his cell phone would be active and he could send a few texts, or he spotted something and decided to try to follow it instead of heading to the caribou storage area, etc.

This has been quite a thorough search - maybe they're thinking of looking in other directions, back to the drawing board.

It is very typical for wilderness SAR searches not to find the missing person. That's just reality. These hunters, consider, would have been purposely dressed to conceal their presence. This would have made a search, especially by airborne technology, unlikely to succeed. A ground search is a tedious event.

And ground SAR is so minutiae-oriented, that SAR has almost missed remains/clues right at their feet. This is another reason why outside volunteers are not welcome: they mess up the scene (or contaminate it), because they aren't trained in what to look for or technical, wilderness, SAR skills: these skills are very precise and follow strict protocols.

Remains in general are very difficult to find in the wilderness, and this is a VAST area. So, I don't think it's time yet to be looking at alternative locations.

SK could have been spooked by a grizzly or a wolf and got turned around or run into muskeg while trying to keep clear. It wouldn't even have to be a real grizzly: he only had to IMAGINE one was there.

Don't forget, SK would have REEKED of caribou from messing with a carcass. Even if he didn't reach the carcass at this point, he would have been moving it from the kill site. And there's no way to clean up entirely. I can't imagine not being jittery while camped if I reek of dead animal out in the wilderness.

IMO SK got wet, it was windy, and he doesn't seem to have had a pack with him (no mention) to carry the 10 essentials, which may have helped him survive if he had hypothermia. Even a smoky fire would have helped (ability to start a fire is one of the 10 essentials); this would mean a lighter, back up matches, and old birthday candles (the trick ones that you can't put out) or cotton balls with vaseline on them.

 

[JustMyself]

It is very typical for wilderness SAR searches not to find the missing person. That's just reality. These hunters, consider, would have been purposely dressed to conceal their presence. This would have made a search, especially by airborne technology, unlikely to succeed. A ground search is a tedious event.

And ground SAR is so minutiae-oriented, that SAR has almost missed remains/clues right at their feet. This is another reason why outside volunteers are not welcome: they mess up the scene (or contaminate it), because they aren't trained in what to look for or technical, wilderness, SAR skills: these skills are very precise and follow strict protocols.

Remains in general are very difficult to find in the wilderness, and this is a VAST area. So, I don't think it's time yet to be looking at alternative locations.

SK could have been spooked by a grizzly or a wolf and got turned around or run into muskeg while trying to keep clear. It wouldn't even have to be a real grizzly: he only had to IMAGINE one was there.

Don't forget, SK would have REEKED of caribou from messing with a carcass. Even if he didn't reach the carcass at this point, he would have been moving it from the kill site. And there's no way to clean up entirely. I can't imagine not being jittery while camped if I reek of dead animal out in the wilderness.

IMO SK got wet, it was windy, and he doesn't seem to have had a pack with him (no mention) to carry the 10 essentials, which may have helped him survive if he had hypothermia. Even a smoky fire would have helped (ability to start a fire is one of the 10 essentials); this would mean a lighter, back up matches, and old birthday candles (the trick ones that you can't put out) or cotton balls with vaseline on them.

Thank you for sharing all your knowledge. Just from this thread I have added to my list of essential items to bring hiking and camping, and ordered a PLB yesterday.
Some day in the future I will be very glad I learned all this from you (I certainly am right now!)

 

[charminglane]

@Trackergd
If you are around, what do you think?

 

[WingsOverTX]

Preventive success! Grand Canyon’s response to search-and-rescue overload

Interesting read for anyone who wants to take a deeper dive into efforts to reduce the need for SAR response. Great work done in the Grand Canyon to prevent injuries to both civilians & those who risk so much to help them.

Preventive success! Grand Canyon’s response to search-and-rescue overload (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

 

[JustMyself]

Preventive success! Grand Canyon’s response to search-and-rescue overload

Interesting read for anyone who wants to take a deeper dive into efforts to reduce the need for SAR response. Great work done in the Grand Canyon to prevent injuries to both civilians & those who risk so much to help them.

Preventive success! Grand Canyon’s response to search-and-rescue overload (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

Love this - great info. Proactive rather than reactive.

 

[RickshawFan]

So, I’ve been re-watching the “lost person behavior” videos, and a couple of details jumped out at me. Hunters have a different pattern when lost than, say, hikers do. Also, interestingly, lost folks in the polar regions have particular behaviors.

This video is most helpful. Again, the speaker is the “father” of the science of “lost person behavior”.

 

[RickshawFan]

Thank you for sharing all your knowledge. Just from this thread I have added to my list of essential items to bring hiking and camping, and ordered a PLB yesterday.
Some day in the future I will be very glad I learned all this from you (I certainly am right now!)

Ooh! Which PLB? I don’t have one yet (but I rarely go backcountry these days).

PLB? What’s that?

How to Choose PLBs and Satellite Messengers | REI Co-op

Learn the differences between a personal locator beacon (PLB) and satellite messenger. Discusses signals, GPS, messaging and subscription fees.

www.rei.com

PS there are rumors that the new iphone will have some PLB features… Announcement today.
A big reason I got my AppleWatch is fall detection FWIW. If I fall (e.g. while hiking) within cell coverage, it can automatically get my iphone to call 911. I’ve also wondered if you could just throw an Apple tag in your hiking pack, so you could be easily found by SAR.

 

[JustMyself]

Ooh! Which PLB? I don’t have one yet (but I rarely go backcountry these days).

PLB? What’s that?

How to Choose PLBs and Satellite Messengers | REI Co-op

Learn the differences between a personal locator beacon (PLB) and satellite messenger. Discusses signals, GPS, messaging and subscription fees.

www.rei.com

PS there are rumors that the new iphone will have some PLB features… Announcement today.
A big reason I got my AppleWatch is fall detection FWIW. If I fall (e.g. while hiking) within cell coverage, it can automatically get my iphone to call 911. I’ve also wondered if you could just throw an Apple tag in your hiking pack, so you could be easily found by SAR.

Accusat MT610G GPS PLB

Get a GME Accusat MT610G Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) at the Lowest Price Everyday with Fast Free Delivery on orders over $49* & Same Day Dispatch from Snowys.

www.snowys.com.au

This one (I'm in Australia). We have huge areas with no phone coverage so while I've wanted one of these for a while, your post made me order one!

 

[RickshawFan]

Preventive success! Grand Canyon’s response to search-and-rescue overload

Interesting read for anyone who wants to take a deeper dive into efforts to reduce the need for SAR response. Great work done in the Grand Canyon to prevent injuries to both civilians & those who risk so much to help them.

Preventive success! Grand Canyon’s response to search-and-rescue overload (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

This article mentions a certain type of trail volunteer. The NPS calls these Trail Ambassadors. A nearby Park might need you! This is a good way to learn the most common issues people have on trails. There are a lot of newbies out there wearing flip flops!
If they allow you to take your pooch (I got into this volunteer gig so I could exhaust my doggie), they are called Bark Rangers.
Trail users get quite impressed there’s someone out there with a radio, first aid kits, and a protocol if there’s a mishap. We get bear sightings…

 

[RickshawFan]

Accusat MT610G GPS PLB

Get a GME Accusat MT610G Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) at the Lowest Price Everyday with Fast Free Delivery on orders over $49* & Same Day Dispatch from Snowys.

www.snowys.com.au

This one (I'm in Australia). We have huge areas with no phone coverage so while I've wanted one of these for a while, your post made me order one!

Wow, this looks great.

 

[RickshawFan]

Any news on SK this morning?

 

[WingsOverTX]

Thinking about Lost Person Behavior in this missing person case leads me to ask if that well-studied logic is being used in this search.

1) SK is unlikely to have wandered very far from the 1/4 to 1/2 mile trip to their cache IMO unless he was hallucinating or had some other medical issue affecting his reasoning ability. I doubt that is the case.
2) His lack of response to the shot fired indicates he was unable to respond. How long had he been "missing" when that shot was fired?
3) Is the meat cache still there or has it been removed? That would be a waypoint for him so I hope it's still there.
4) He or evidence of why he is missing is likely to be found a short distance from camp. I'd guesstimate less than a mile.

That's my analysis. I'm sure others can & will analyze differently. Instead of searching far & wide, they need to concentrate multiple efforts looking at fine details very near the camp.

My conclusion: Muskeg or river misadventure, injury or an animal encounter is most likely IMO. And it happened shortly after he left camp.

MOO

 

[JustMyself]

This has been bugging me the last couple of days - has his hunting partner Bryan gone back to search for Steve?
It's funny we have heard from Steve's wife and sons but not from Bryan. I am not saying he hurt Steve (he must have been scared and worried when he decided to trek back to the car to sleep there instead of at the campsite when Steve did not return). Steve's wife said they were in almost constant contact yet he waited 24 hours to report him missing. I wonder if he didn't report it immediately as they were doing something less than legal? Could be as simple as not having the correct licences. Maybe there's a lot more info we don't know. IMO MOO