What a story and what dedication on the author's part to find the missing hikers. Though searching for bodies as a hobby sounds a bit morbid, I imagine the families appreciated the closure. It was interesting hearing his thought process for where to search for them after SAR crews had given up.<p>The western US is quite rugged. People worry about animal attacks, but the elements are really the biggest threat. I live in Colorado, where climbing mountains over 14,000 feet (14ers) is a popular pastime. On a 14er not far from Vail, a hiker named Michelle Vanek disappeared in 2005 and no trace of her has ever been found.<p><a href="http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20051001/NEWS/51001001" rel="nofollow">http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20051001/NEWS/51001001</a>