The search for two missing hunters in the rugged mountains along the Colorado–New Mexico border has gone viral as search teams recovered some of their gear but found no trace of the men themselves.
According to the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office, Andrew Porter, 25, of Asheville, North Carolina, and Ian Stasko, 25, of Salt Lake City, Utah, vanished while on an elk hunting trip in the remote terrain of the Rio Grande National Forest, an area known for its unpredictable weather and challenging wilderness.
The last known contact with the two men came on September 11, 2025, when they sent a message via a Garmin InReach satellite device, which placed them near their vehicle at the Rio De Los Pinos Trailhead, just north of the New Mexico border.
Their disappearance was reported after family members failed to hear from them again, prompting a search effort that has since grown into a large-scale operation.
The first clue
UPDATE: Search and rescue crews continue to comb the Rio Grande National Forest in southern Colorado on Thursday in search of two missing elk hunters.
— The Denver Post (@denverpost) September 18, 2025
More than 50 search teams were in the field yesterday looking for Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko. https://t.co/8FKQFhMSNj
When searchers located the hunters’ vehicle, they found camping equipment and wet clothing inside, suggesting the men had returned from the field after encountering heavy rain and cold storms that moved into the region that Thursday.
However, other essential hunting tools were missing, including a bow, knives, game bags, and binoculars, items hunters would typically carry if they had downed an elk or planned to return to the wilderness.
The discovery has led investigators to believe Porter and Stasko may have set out again after changing clothes, only to encounter worsening conditions in the mountains.
The recovery of the gear has raised more questions. If the men did head back out, why was there no further communication via their Garmin device? Both hunters are described by their families as experienced outdoorsmen familiar with difficult terrain, which makes their disappearance even more puzzling. Adding to the uncertainty, no new sightings or evidence have been confirmed since that last ping.
Unconfirmed theories
— 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐞 (@brian_schnee) September 18, 2025
MISSING HUNTERS: Andrew Porter, 25, of Asheville, NC and Ian Stasko, 25, of Salt Lake City were last seen seen on September 11th or early September 12th while hunting in Colorado.
The Conejos Colorado Sheriff's Office responded on Saturday, Sept. 13 to the Los Pinos… pic.twitter.com/znXohFINyg
Speculation on social media and hunting forums has circulated widely regarding the disappearance, but no explanation has been verified.
Many suggest the hunters encountered sudden severe weather and became disoriented or stranded in the rugged backcountry, while others think their Garmin/InReach device may have failed, preventing them from sending further updates.
Some theorize the men returned to pursue a large elk sighting and encountered trouble, potentially from injury, hypothermia, or other natural hazards such as lightning or flash floods. A smaller subset of posts even raises the possibility of human interaction, though there is no supporting evidence.
Overall, social media combines practical wilderness concerns with speculation about unforeseen accidents, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding their disappearance.
The status of the search
Search operations have expanded across the forest and into northern New Mexico. Teams from the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office, state agencies, and federal officials are working alongside volunteers. Rescue crews are using aircraft, drones, horseback patrols, ground units, and specially trained dogs to sweep the area.
Despite these efforts, severe weather has hampered progress. Rain, fog, and low visibility have made it difficult to cover ground quickly, while the steep terrain adds to the danger for both searchers and the missing hunters.
The families of Porter and Stasko remain deeply involved in the search. They have offered a $10,000 reward for credible information that leads to the men’s recovery. They are also calling on experienced hikers, hunters, and wilderness professionals to volunteer, while urging those willing to assist to coordinate with law enforcement and search and rescue teams to avoid placing themselves at risk in the treacherous conditions.
