Man missing in Bob Marshall Wilderness

A man was reported missing in the Bob Marshall Wilderness northwest of Augusta on Tuesday, after he became separated from a group during an outfitter-led packing trip.

The Teton County Sheriff’s Office, the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and Two Bear Air are scouring the area near Cabin Creek in the Sun River’s North Fork drainage, according to Karen Horn, acting Rocky Mountain District Ranger for the forest. Horn said the area is about 5 miles inside the wilderness boundary.

According to Two Bear Air Chief Pilot Jim Bob Pierce, the man became separated from the group during a lunch break on Monday and failed to return. Pierce said Two Bear Air planned to continue searching for the man with infrared cameras Tuesday evening.

He said the man is 21 years old, but did not have any additional information.

Teton County Sheriff Keith Van Setten did not return calls Tuesday afternoon, but his office said that as of 4:15 p.m. the man had not been found.

Horn said members of Teton County Search and Rescue planned to stay overnight in a cabin in the drainage, if necessary, to continue the search on Wednesday.

Horn said the forest was first notified of the man’s disappearance at 10:40 a.m. after receiving a call from the K Bar L Ranch along the Sun River. The district sent a half-dozen staff members to assist in the search, she said.

Reporter Sam Wilson can be reached at 758-4407 or by email at swilson@dailyinterlake.com.