A 71-year-old resident of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, embarked on a hike with his dog, Finney, on August 19, 2023, with the goal of reaching the summit of Blackhead Peak.
Rich Moore set out on the journey with his Jack Russell Terrier, age 14. Moore didn’t return from the trek, leading to a prolonged search and rescue mission that spanned months.
On October 30, 2023, nearly two and a half months after Moore’s disappearance, a local hunter discovered his body in the Lower Blanco drainage basin, a remote area southeast of Blackhead Peak in the San Juan National Forest. In a remarkable display of loyalty and survival, Finney, his dog, was found alive, steadfastly by Moore’s side.
After being found, the dog was taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment and has since been reunited with her family.
The search for Moore and Finney involved an extensive, nearly 2,000-hour search operation, encompassing difficult and rugged terrain. The effort brought together various agencies and volunteers, all united to find Moore and his dog.
The police have not yet released an official cause of death for Moore, but foul play is not suspected in this incident.
According to Chaffee County Search and Rescue North, Moore was ill-prepared for the journey when he made it to the summit of a 13,000-foot peak. He was clad only in a cotton sweatshirt and had run out of food and water. His dog had apparently survived by capturing and consuming small game, but always returned to his owner’s side.
