Idaho Falls man and his dog rescued after weeklong search in Wyoming mountains
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PINEDALE, Wyoming – An Idaho Falls man who went hiking in the Wyoming mountains with his dog has been found.
Earlier this week, EastIdahoNews.com reported that Jonathan Bailey and Wrigley, his labrador retriever, embarked on a hike from Thousand Island Lake to the Elkhart parking lot in the Wind River Mountains. They never arrived at the agreed-upon campsite and hadn’t been seen since September 4.
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After a week of searching for them, the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office in Pinedale, Wyoming confirmed in a Facebook post on Friday that Bailey and his dog had been found alive and well.
“We are very happy to share some good news: Jonathan Bailey and his dog, Wrigley, have been located alive and are safe,” the post says. “Another great ending to a search in Sublette County.”
Authorities did not specify his exact location at the time he was found. Cowboy State Daily reports that the pair were found by hikers near Miller Lake. A photo from the sheriff’s office shows Bailey hugging a family member after landing in a helcopter at Ralph Wenz Field, the Pinedale airport.
The Sublette County Sheriff’s Office expresses gratitude to all those who helped in the search, including law enforcement, Tip Top Search and Rescue and members of the public “who shared Jonathan’s information, kept an eye out along the trails, and provided information during the search.”
“In a backcountry search, even a seemingly small piece of information can make a difference,” the sheriff’s office says. “Search and rescue missions in the Wind River Range can involve vast distances, rugged terrain, rapidly changing weather, and limited communications. Each successful outcome is a reminder of the skill, commitment, and countless volunteer hours given by the men and women of Tip Top Search and Rescue.”
“Most importantly, tonight Jonathan gets to go home — and Wrigley does too,” the sheriff’s office adds. “Welcome back, Jonathan and Wrigley!”