Chamonix, a yellow Labrador, discovered what her master at first thought was the lifeless body of a missing camper curled up on a rock.
But then Shaun Green’s leg twitched and it was apparent the 23-year-old camper from Loveland had survived three nights of bitter cold in rugged terrain west of Lyons, volunteer searcher Justin McLean said.
“It was exhilarating,” McLean said. “I’m very proud of Chamonix.”
Green was severely hypothermic and nearly unconscious when a two-man team using a rescue dog found him Sunday morning, authorities said.
“Had he not been found today, it would have probably been a recovery rather than a rescue,” said Boulder County Sheriff’s Detective Kevin Parker. “He was on the downhill side.”
Green’s mother, Sandy Green, told 9News: “We just feel so blessed. I just can’t wait to see him.”
Crews had been searching for Green since 5 p.m. Friday, after he didn’t meet a friend earlier in the day to be picked up from a solo overnight camping trip. Dozens of people – from the Sheriff’s Office, the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, Front Range Rescue Dogs and several other agencies – scoured the mountains in the Big Elk Meadows area on Saturday and Sunday searching for Green.
At about 8 a.m. Sunday, McLean used the sole of one of Green’s shoes so Chamonix could get his scent.
Just before 10 a.m., Chamonix ran to McLean and jumped up with her front paws on his chest. She had picked up a scent and tracked it to where Green was, off the trail, about 2 or 3 miles southwest of the Johnny Park trailhead, Parker said.
When Chamonix found Green, McLean yelled his name loudly but Green remained motionless, curled up on a rock with his backpack on. Although he had several layers of clothes, he wasn’t wearing a glove.
Rescuers carried Green to a four-wheel-drive road, and then took him to a spot where he could be picked up by a medical helicopter, which flew him to Longmont United Hospital. Green was in good condition there Sunday, a hospital spokesman said.
“It’s just amazing because it’s such an emotional roller coaster,” Sandy Green told 9News.
Rocky Mountain Rescue member James Gallo said daytime temperatures had been mild in recent days. But Parker said temps were dipping into the single digits at night.
Green had provisions for staying out overnight, such as a tent and a sleeping bag. But Parker said they were more suitable for camping in the summer and fall.
Authorities believe Green may have gotten lost on the web of crisscrossing trails and four-wheel-drive roads. Parker said Green’s story should be a lesson to people never to camp alone in the high country and always to be overprepared for the weather.
It was the second time that Chamonix had gone on a search. The long hours of training had paid off, McLean said.
As a reward, she got buffalo meat, he said.
Staff writer John Ingold can be reached at 720-929-0898 or jingold@denverpost.com.
