9-7-22 -
UPDATING THE CONTINUING SEARCH FOR A MISSING TENNESSEE HUNTER IN ALASKA
Steve Keel — a 61-year-old from Stewart County — has now been missing for twelve days in far northern Alaska.
Crews have done grid searches on ground and from the air.
I spoke today with Harry Grim — a frequent hunter in the area around Deadhorse, Alaska.
He actually ran into Keel’s hunting partner after Keel disappeared.
Grim knows the area well and he believes the most likely scenario is that Keel simply got lost when he left the campground.
Grim sent me these photos of the tundra — the flat, scruffy geography — in that area.
He says once you walk out into this type of Alaska wilderness it is very easy to become disoriented and lose your sense of direction.
It all looks the same with rolling hills.
Grim feels it is possible, but unlikely Keel was the victim of an animal attack.
He also thinks it’s unlikely he got stuck in a mud bog or fell in a ravine.
More likely Keel wandered far away and was forced to hunker down after dark and try to stay warm.
With each passing day it is more difficult to believe Keel has not succumbed to the elements.
He had no supplies when he walked away from the camp to go collect his caribou meat.
He never made it.
But, Keel is an experienced outdoorsman.
His family has not given up hope.
This last photo is of the four search and rescue friends from Stewart County who have now arrived in Alaska to continue the search.
We all hope they find him.
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
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