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Hunter survives night lost in Weminuche Wilderness
October 16, 2002
By Jim Greenhill, Duango Herald Staff Writer
A hunter missing in the Weminuche Wilderness survived Monday night because he was well-prepared. He was found safe after a short search Tuesday afternoon.
William Henningsen, 62, of Broken Arrow, Okla., was supposed to meet a fellow hunter on Monday, but he failed to show up, said Butch Knowlton, the county’s director of emergency preparedness. "He failed to rendezvous with a companion at midday," he said.
Searchers on foot, in the air and on horseback sought Henningsen in the Weminuche Wilderness north of Vallecito Reservoir.
Knowlton flew above the area in a helicopter. A search-and-rescue team and Colorado Mounted Rangers joined the search.
Henningsen was carrying a space blanket and matches. He made a fire Monday night. "He had adequate clothing because he had left out early in the morning," Knowlton said.
The hunting camp was at Tuckerville, in remote forest just inside the La Plata County line near Hinsdale County. Henningsen had an elk tag, Knowlton said.
The hunter had set out into the Cave Basin and Hell’s Canyon area. He realized after some time that he was lost. The area has clearings and thickets of trees that can appear similar to each other.
"It can be confusing," Knowlton said. "It’s pretty easy to get lost in that area if you’re not real familiar with it."
A companion found Henningsen at 2:30 p.m., and officials made formal contact with the missing hunter at 3:07 p.m.
Safety tips for hunters include planning carefully, being prepared by carrying waterproof matches and survival gear and telling others where you are going and when you will be back.
People should consider taking a hunter-education course, even if you are not legally required to do so. Hunter education includes safety and survival tips.
Knowlton credited Henningsen’s clothes, matches and space blanket with helping him survive.
Reach Staff Writer Jim Greenhill at jim@durangoherald.com.
October 16, 2002
By Jim Greenhill, Duango Herald Staff Writer
A hunter missing in the Weminuche Wilderness survived Monday night because he was well-prepared. He was found safe after a short search Tuesday afternoon.
William Henningsen, 62, of Broken Arrow, Okla., was supposed to meet a fellow hunter on Monday, but he failed to show up, said Butch Knowlton, the county’s director of emergency preparedness. "He failed to rendezvous with a companion at midday," he said.
Searchers on foot, in the air and on horseback sought Henningsen in the Weminuche Wilderness north of Vallecito Reservoir.
Knowlton flew above the area in a helicopter. A search-and-rescue team and Colorado Mounted Rangers joined the search.
Henningsen was carrying a space blanket and matches. He made a fire Monday night. "He had adequate clothing because he had left out early in the morning," Knowlton said.
The hunting camp was at Tuckerville, in remote forest just inside the La Plata County line near Hinsdale County. Henningsen had an elk tag, Knowlton said.
The hunter had set out into the Cave Basin and Hell’s Canyon area. He realized after some time that he was lost. The area has clearings and thickets of trees that can appear similar to each other.
"It can be confusing," Knowlton said. "It’s pretty easy to get lost in that area if you’re not real familiar with it."
A companion found Henningsen at 2:30 p.m., and officials made formal contact with the missing hunter at 3:07 p.m.
Safety tips for hunters include planning carefully, being prepared by carrying waterproof matches and survival gear and telling others where you are going and when you will be back.
People should consider taking a hunter-education course, even if you are not legally required to do so. Hunter education includes safety and survival tips.
Knowlton credited Henningsen’s clothes, matches and space blanket with helping him survive.
Reach Staff Writer Jim Greenhill at jim@durangoherald.com.
