UPDATE: On December 25th at approximately 3:00 p.m. the search helicopter located four subjects matching the description of the lost party. Information relayed from the pilots was that all four subjects appeared to be in good health and had a fire. The pilots were able to drop the party some food and water with a note to stay put, help will be on the way.
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It was determined that the lost party is located well into Carbon County, in the area of Deep Creek. The terrain in this area was extremely difficult and snowmobile search teams could not reach the party by night fall. Due to deteriorating weather conditions all air support was also grounded. Recovery efforts by Albany and Carbon Counties will continue at first light on December 26.
Albany County will officially transfer command of the search efforts onto Carbon County effective at 6:00 a.m. on December 26.
Original story below.
According to the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, on December 23, 2018 at approximately 6:00 p.m. their office was notified of possibly overdue or missing snowmobile riders in the snowy range mountains west of Laramie. Information received was that a group of four snowmobilers from South Dakota had been staying at the Albany Lodge and snowmobiling in the area. The group was due to check out of their hotel rooms but never returned to the lodge.
The missing subject’s vehicle was located parked and unoccupied at the Green Rock parking area on Highway 130. It was determined that the subjects were all riding Ski-Doo 850cc snowmobiles. The snowmobiles were described as two black and yellows, one with a custom wrap that is blue and yellow and one that is all black.
The State trail groomers were requested to keep an eye out overnight on the December 23rd while they were working. The United States Air Force was requested to assist with cell phone forensics on all of the missing parties’ cell phones. They made contact with several social media outlets involving snowmobiling in the area and requested assistance from the public who might be riding in the area. The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue was notified of the search and requested to check their county in the area.
Albany County activated four snowmobile search teams on the morning of December 24th. The search area is extremely large due to the lack of information on where the missing subject were riding for the day. The search teams checked numerous areas and followed up on a few leads that came in over the day. They suspended snowmobile search efforts for the night at approximately 1700 hours.
The 37th helicopter squadron out of F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming will be conducting a night search of the area. The helicopter is equipped with forward looking infrared and the pilots are using NVG goggles.
Search teams in both Albany and Carbon counties will resume efforts in the morning hours of December 25. They ask that if anyone riding in the snowy range mountains west of Centennial Wyoming on December 25 to check in with the Albany County Search and Rescue trailer located at the Green Rock parking area prior to departing. There you will be able to receive current information about the search. If the missing subjects are located please contact 911 or make contact with trailer at Green Rock.
The Albany County Sheriff’s Office will provide a media update in the afternoon of December 25th.
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