New Mexico Hiker Lost for a Month Found (with her Cat)

[dug]

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/a...month_found_in_new_mexico/?p1=Well_News_links

Page's vehicle, which McDonald described as a silver Chevy passenger car, had been originally spotted by a Forest Service Law Enforcement Agent on Feb. 12 but authorities didn't think much of it since hikers leave vehicles near trails all the time.

However, a U.S. Forest Service agent noticed the car Feb. 25 but didn't contact state police until 10 days later. The vehicle was towed as crews began their search mission -- something Robert Matulich, a field certified member of the Dona Ana County Search and Rescue team, said was unusual since crews sometime use vehicles to give the search dogs a scent to use.

"It looks to me like somebody dropped the ball on this one," Matulich told the Silver City Sun-News. "Why'd they tow the truck? Who towed the truck?"

In NH, we'd get charged for a rescue...and a tow fee!

 

[erugs]

Strange story, but I like that her cat stayed with her and was rescued, too.

 

[sierra]

Strange story, but I like that her cat stayed with her and was rescued, too.

Good thing she wasnt lost at Donner pass ( CA), the cat might not have made it.

 

[Stan]

Here's a little more info from a New Mexico newspaper: http://www.santafenewmexican.com/localnews/Long-missing-hiker-found-with-cat-in-NM-forest

Some of the circumstances, e.g. the 10 day delay, the towed vehicle are certainly curious.

Even more curious ... did the cat share? I can speculate that the cat may have offerred but ... what would you do with such an option ... not to eat the cat but to share its prey? That cat was a good ally in any case.

Edit: sorry, looks like the same article ... staying in a hotel in NM and the Globe article hadn't down loaded completely before I replied.