Clay Rubano Search

Update from Rachel Jenkins 7/13/08

I'd like to express my heartfelt thanks to all that have sent me caring support.  Although I am not able to respond individually, I appreciate so very much each and every card, email and voice message that's come in.

And to the searchers and all who supported the logistics of it, I owe my very sanity.  There is no way to express my gratitude.  You've all got a special place in my heart forever.

Bones found at and near the site have been identified as human, and although we know that it is Clay who has been found, we must await the results of DNA testing before he can be legally declared found and, therefore, dead.  While this is a legal glitch that will require time to resolve, that's all it is.  Clay has been found.

While it may be disturbing to some to know that he was thoroughly scavenged by coyotes, please rest assured that to give back to the natural world in this way is just exactly what Clay would have chosen, were he able to do so.  

I am planning a celebration of life for Clay to take place on August 31, 2008.  Please click on the "Celebration of Life" tab on this website for details.

Thank you from Michelle and Steve  6/18/08 

Steve and I would like to thank everyone who has thought of, searched for and helped in so many ways to find Clay. As it is said that finding him is a sort of  closure, we will always think of him and remember him as our very close friend.

Thank you everyone!
Michelle Grainger and Steve Le Goff

Spring search update 6/9/08  

On June 8^th, 2008 Clay Rubano was found in Sinks Canyon, outside of Lander, WY.  A team of searchers discovered Clay approximately ¾ of a mile east of Sheep Bridge, which is on the Middle Fork trail of the Popo Agie River.  Initial indications point to Clay falling from some height (perhaps 75 feet) north of the trail in this area.  He was not on the trail.  The area that Clay was found in was part of the search area that was drawn up last November.  It was an area that had been searched with both people and dog teams.  He was found in an area that was obscured from the air and required luck and persistence from ground searchers.  The site had attracted two different dog teams last November but did not reveal any clues at the time. 

The recent search event was comprised of volunteers from multiple states and agencies.  The team that discovered Clay was made up of friends from Glacier National Park.  Charlie Logan, the Incident Commander of this recent search, shared his appreciation of the search efforts that the Fremont County Search and Rescue team made last November.  Without their thorough and well executed search efforts, Clay would likely not have been discovered so early in this recent search.

The Fremont Country Coroner’s Office is handling further investigation of the site where Clay was found.  All requests for information should be directed to the Fremont County Coroner’s Office.

Rachel is with family and friends here in Lander.  Please send to her your love, thoughts, and prayers as she moves forward through this difficult time.

Spring search update 6/7/08  

About 30 searchers, including 8 or 9 dog teams, concentrated on areas above the falls and north of the trail.  Weather conditions were dryer than yesterday, but strong winds posed a problem for some of the search dog teams.  The winter snow pack above 9000 feet is hindering the search teams’ ability to be thorough. No clues were found. Additional resources are still coming in to participate in the search. Plans for tomorrow’s efforts are being developed based upon available resources and areas of interest.

Spring search update 6/6/08

The spring search for Clay is finally off and running.  Thanks to a team of Lander based friends providing logistical support, led by Judy Crawford, meals and housing have been arranged for all incoming volunteers.

Incident commander Charlie Logan spent June 4^th and 5^th hiking in the search area and meeting with leaders of last November’s Fremont County search to familiarize himself with the case.

Today’s search focused on an area northeast of Sheep Bridge, approximately 5 ½ miles up from the trailhead, and included 8 hikers, two people acting as communications relay, and two others helping Charlie with operations and planning at the trailhead.

The weather included a mix of rain and snow for most of the day, with snow accumulating above 8500 feet.  Travel was slowed due to wet and slippery footing on and off the trail, but searchers felt that their ability to be thorough was not compromised.

A pocket knife was found, and although it is unlikely to be Clay’s, it was logged as evidence.

8-9 dog teams arrived this evening and will join the effort tomorrow, along with 10-15 additional ground searchers. The weather forecast calls for wind and scattered showers.

Update, from Joe Heil       5/31/08  

Weather update from Captain Good

5/20/08

The weather has been pretty warm and the river has really came up the last few days. They are forcasting rain for Wed,Thur and Friday. The snow is pretty much gone on the face of the mountain, but everything high is covered in snow.

Update, Volunteer Search 5/17/08  

Charlie Logan will be the IC and Judy Crawford is helping with the in town logistics such as housing and keeping logs of those interested in searching. Judy can be reached at the following email and phone number if you have any questions about housing and so on.

  Judy Crawford, 307-332-9903

  contactus@clayrubanosearch.com

Update on Volunteer Search 5/13/08  

Charlie Logan will coordinate the volunteer search in June. Charlie retired from Glacier National Park as the West Lakes District Ranger. Margaret and Charlie will transition on Thursday.

If people are available for the two weeks and they are interested in Operations or Logistics positions please sign up for the search.

Update, 5/12/08

On 5/11/08, Fremont County searchers and five dog teams searched along the climbers area and up the road that is under construction. No clues were found.  

Update, Fremont County SAR 5/10/08  

Five dog teams worked from Bruce's Bridge up past the falls. They also covered about two miles along the trail and the river above the falls. Further clues were not found. The group will continue searching on Sunday. 

Bill Lee, Assistant Commander, Fremont County SAR

Update on County Search 5/8/08

On Saturday May 10th, Fremont County will be doing a search training with three dog teams led by Janet Wilts, and about 10 searchers in the search area. If any clues are found the training will continue into Sunday. We will keep you updated.

Update from Captain Good  4/30/08 

It is still winter up on the mountain with snow forcasted for the rest of the week. Everyone is prepared to continue looking for Clay and giving the family and friends some closure. It is the intention of the Fremont County Sheriff's Office to cover the entire area again with Search Dogs when the weather warms up enough to effectively utilize the dogs. There is also a pretty strong local group of people that are on standby waiting for the right time. We cannot set a specific date as Mother Nature never tells us when it will thaw enough to search. We are wanting to get in the area prior to high water and as soon as reasonably possible. I believe it will probably be mid-May before we go, but if we get a very warm week, we will go asap. John Gookin of NOLS is our Search and Rescue Commander in Lander and John will run this search.

I spoke with Margaret Goodro about a month ago and she is planning on another search in early June. Margaret is the Chief Ranger in the Roosevelt Lake area. She will be the Incident Commander for that search and can be reached at phone 406-249-7755 or at e-mail margaret@clayrubanosearch.com.
Margaret is very sharp and keeps the Sheriff's office in the loop of her plans and works very well with us.

In closing, I feel we have an excellent chance of recovering Clay. I want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding in the matter.


Captain David Good
Fremont County Sheriff's Office
460 Railroad
Lander, Wyoming 82520
phone 307-332-1024
e-mail dgood@wyoming.com

Donations!

Donations are greatly appreciated by the friends and family of Clay. If you would like to make a contribution, please write a check to:

"Clay Rubano Search Fund"
c/o Atlantic City Federal Credit Union
704 Main St.
Lander, WY 82520

Clay's Place

Photos from Joe Heil   5/31/08  

Photos from Dave Page  5/7/08