UPDATE: A week-long search for two missing elk hunters in Colorado’s rugged Rio Grande National Forest has ended in tragedy, as search and rescue teams located the bodies of the two men. Andrew Porter, 25, of Asheville, North Carolina, and Ian Stasko, 25, of Salt Lake City, Utah, were found deceased on Thursday, September 18, 2025, according to a post from Porter’s family.
The two experienced outdoorsmen were last heard from on September 11, when Porter sent a location ping from his Garmin InReach satellite device to his fiancée, Bridget Murphy. The ping came from near the Rio de Los Pinos trailhead in Game Management Unit 81, a notoriously difficult terrain in southern Colorado near the New Mexico border.
While the exact cause of death has not been officially released, the challenging weather conditions and the men’s limited gear suggest the possibility of exposure or hypothermia. The case has served as a somber reminder of the dangers of the backcountry, even for seasoned hunters.
Authorities in southern Colorado are in the midst of an extensive effort to locate two missing elk hunters who disappeared last week in the rugged San Juan National Forest Wilderness Area.
The Conejos County Sheriff’s Office says Andrew Porter, 25, of Asheville, North Carolina, and Ian Stasko, 25, of Salt Lake City, Utah, were reported overdue on Saturday after failing to check in with loved ones at an agreed-upon time. The pair had been hunting near the Rio De Los Pinos Trailhead, west of Trujillo Meadows Reservoir.
Deputies responding to the call discovered the men’s vehicle at the trailhead. Inside were their camping gear and backpacks — an alarming sign that they never made it back to their base. Severe weather had swept through the region in the preceding days, raising concerns about their safety.
“The storms that moved in Thursday brought thunder, lightning, fog and steady rain, making conditions very dangerous,” the sheriff’s office said.
Following the discovery, officials launched what they described as a “massive search.” Resources from across the state have joined forces with local teams, including:
Aircraft and helicopters for aerial reconnaissance
Multi-county and state ground crews
Search dogs and drone units
ATVs and horseback patrols
Local volunteers combing the wilderness on foot
The rugged terrain and unstable weather have made the operation difficult. Low clouds and rain at higher elevations have at times limited the use of air support.
As of Wednesday morning — five days after the search began — Porter and Stasko remain missing. There have been no confirmed sightings or communications since their last contact on Thursday, Sept. 11.
Family members and friends have been appealing for help, urging anyone with strong outdoor skills or familiarity with the San Juan backcountry to assist with the ground search. Porter’s fiancée, Bridget Murphy, has issued public calls for experienced hikers and hunters to join the effort.
A $10,000 reward has been offered for information that leads to the pair’s safe return.
The San Juan Wilderness is known for its steep slopes, dense timber, and remote valleys — terrain that can complicate even the best-planned searches. The men’s last known location sits at high elevation, where weather can shift rapidly. Exposure, disorientation, or injury remain major concerns.
Officials have also reported that the hunters may have lost use of their Garmin communication device, limiting their ability to signal for help.
Despite these hurdles, search leaders say they are determined to continue operations as long as there is a chance of finding the two alive.
For now, friends, family, and rescuers remain hopeful that Porter and Stasko, both experienced outdoorsmen, found shelter and can hold out until they are located.
