Clay Rubano Search

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Friday, November 16, 2007 2:04 AM MST

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LANDER (AP) -- Two helicopters from F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne were taking part in a search for a hiker missing since Monday in the Wind River Range.

Fremont County Sheriff's Sgt. Jerry Evagelatos said Friday he was surprised there was still no sign of Clay Rubano, 46, an employee of the National Outdoor Leadership School in Lander.

"Usually in a situation like this a person is found a lot sooner," Evagelatos said. "But some of this area is pretty brushy, pretty thick."

He said the search area in the southern end of the Wind Rivers was being expanded.

Rubano was reported missing after he didn't show up for work Monday.

Rubano had said he was planning to hike above the falls on the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River. His car was found Monday afternoon in a parking lot about 10 miles outside Lander.

Three helicopters, seven dogs and 45 people on the ground were taking part in the search.

By WHITNEY ROYSTER
Star-Tribune staff writer

A group of private citizens is amassing in Lander to look for a missing hiker after the Fremont County Sheriff's Department called off the search.

Margaret Goodro of Washington state is helping organize the search for Clay Rubano, 46, who has been missing since Nov. 10. Goodro worked with Rubano in Glacier National Park in Montana.

"When I would run searches I would count on Clay, because he was such a strong hiker and could cover lots of miles," Goodro said. "It's ironic, because right now he would be the one out there looking."

Goodro said the group is looking for people who might have seen Rubano on the trail. There is also an account for donations for the search, and rescuers hope local hotels will donate rooms for people volunteering in the search.

There were seven people searching the area Wednesday, and this weekend dog teams are expected.

The sheriff's office called off the search Sunday after nothing was found. The agency has moved the search to an investigation mode.

Rubano disappeared Nov. 10 in the mountains outside Lander. He was reported missing after he failed to report to work Nov. 12. Rubano was thought to be planning a hike above the falls of the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River in the Wind River Mountains Nov. 10.

For some 10 days, helicopters, dog teams and searchers combed the area looking for a sign of the experienced outdoorsman and National Outdoor Leadership School instructor.

Nothing has been found.

His car was found Nov. 12 in the Bruce's Camp parking lot about 10 miles outside Lander. The area is popular with hikers, but it is unclear exactly where Rubano might have gone.

Goodro said there are a lot of possible scenarios. One is that he slipped near the river and hit his head, or he is injured in a place searchers have not found. She said if he was afflicted by a medical condition, rescuers would likely have found him on the trail.

"Clay dedicated himself, especially working with Glacier, to search and rescue other people," she said. "To me, it's important because this is what he would be doing. He would be one of those guys out there putting in mile after mile helping to find someone who needed to be found."

Reporter Whitney Royster can be reached at (307) 734-0260 or at royster@tribcsp.com.