Palo Alto man missing for 6 days was hiking in Wyoming wilderness

A 76-year-old Palo Alto man was reported missing on Sept. 2 after he became separated from a group on a hike in the Wyoming wilderness, Palo Alto Online reported on Wednesday.

Steve Keller was hiking in the Wind River Range and last seen near Steamboat Lake, about 35 miles northwest of Lander, Wyo. as the crow flies, according to a social media message from his niece Betsy Briggs Miller.”

Briggs Miller said search efforts were underway and called on anyone living in or near Lander or the Wind River area to get in touch. “This is my uncle,” she wrote. “We are deeply concerned.”

Keller is described as standing 6-feet tall and weighing 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black and green Patagonia Fleece, she said.

Keller was camping with the group at Steamboat Lake and the plan was to go to Deadman Lake, according to Briggs Miller. “He’s done this backpacking trip dozens of times,” she wrote.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday in a news release that Keller disappeared on the hike to Deadman Lake on Saturday, and the search effort had been hindered by weather conditions, according to the Cowboy State Daily. 

“Crews were inserted into the area by helicopter on the morning of (Sunday) and the search has been underway since,” the sheriff’s office said in the release. “Weather conditions have severely impacted the search effort as thunderstorms have moved through the area and limited the ability to conduct air operations at times.” 

On Wednesday, weather conditions improved and Briggs Miller said 16 people, a dog, drones and a helicopter were all involved in the search. 

“We are told today will be the last day the helicopter will bring people in,” Briggs Miller wrote on Wednesday. “Thank you for everyone willing to volunteer to backpack in. Steamboat lake is about 10,000 feet elevation and 17 miles in from the trailhead. Winter comes fast, this is not for the beginner backpacker.”

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for information.