I haven't seen any news from searchers today, except that snow had come to that area already a couple of days ago.
For me, my opinion only, there wasn't going to be good news after max one day. There were simply too many pieces that militated against survival, particularly because of the extremely high risk of hypothermia (a predator seems unlikely, according to locals). Even if you do everything "right", you can still get hypothermia in no time at all. I believe that's what happened here.
In this case, IMO, the odds of catastrophe were huge: mis-communication with the partner, the partners separating, the baggy (what look to be) cotton pants and other apparel, fickle weather, the reek of recently slaughtered caribou (even if they'd shot them several days before, and they also would have moved them to the cache spot), the outfit designed to blend into wilderness, the lack of basic survival pieces like the "10 essentials" that could be used for signaling and staying warm and dry, lack of tundra experience, remote location, no coordination with a local outfitter who would keep tabs on them, wet and cold environment....
There were so many ways to get in trouble (and so many that could have been anticipated and planned for to minimize their impact). At the same time, local SAR were not only maxxed out at this search, but because of their experience, knew that success was impossible: it is their job to triage likelihoods and prioritize the safety of their equipment, staff, and volunteers.
SAR in this area has an additional task that may have increased the likelihood they would have to make a firm decision about the odds: they serve as air ambulance for the local population. You can imagine they might have a higher likelihood in making a difference and saving a life when operating in that mode. It is their job to make these decisions. I find it disheartening that they are criticized for not being helpful enough, when they are doing their jobs and then some.
IMO , As someone else has stated, in the backcountry, "you put yourself in harm's way, and [sometimes] harm happens". If you misjudge the hazards of your adventure, you might luck out and survive or get a rescue, but it's not likely. The missing who are still missing are testimony; it's rare for the lost not to be searched for, very common not to be found.
The Denali (Alaska) NPS addressed this specifically with a very strong cautionary message just last year:
Rescue is not guaranteed, and your emergency plan should not be contingent upon the NPS. Rescuer safety will always be our first priority, and weather or lack of resources often preclude us from coming to help. The NPS policy is to only respond to immediate threats to life, limb, or eyesight. Anything that we deem falls outside these categories, we will leave you to figure out on your own, and this year we have already turned down rescue requests that don’t meet these criteria.
www.nps.gov
While I hold out hope that remains will be found before winter closes in, this seems increasingly unlikely as well. I trust the family will find peace.
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