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Michigan
Backcountry Search and Rescue (MiBSAR)
SAR Op No. 12 photo-journal:
Joe Clewley missing-person investigation
By
Michael Neiger
Marquette, Michigan
© Copyright 2008
Duration & date: Agency assisted:
_____________________
Sault Ste. Marie, MichiganTownship & County: Nearest place-name: General location: Tahquamenon Falls State Park in the eastern Upper Peninsula Trail: Victim: Joseph Robert Clewley
White male; age 73; 5'-10"; 150 lbsCase summary: Joe Clewley and his dog Chip went missing on July 13, 2008. His van was found parked at the North Country Trail (NCT) trailhead along the Tahqua Trail in the eastern reaches of Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Joe owned a log cabin in the area and enjoyed hiking off-trail in the park. SAR op mission: MiBSAR team members: Partner SAR teams & assets: SAR op results: Joe Clewley was not located Additional resources: • Learn more about this investigation
• View official, Sheriff's Office-provided Web site for victim
• View MiBSAR-provided Web site and Internet blog for victim
Saturday, October 11
Chris and I arose about 7:30 a.m. from our bivouac spot along the north bank of the Tahquamenon River.
Sunrise over Joe's Country along the north bank of the Tahquamenon River. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)
From our river-bank area, we drove over to the Clewley Family cabin for breakfast--bagels and cream cheese (they were excellent)--with family members and SAR team members from Michigan Search and Rescue, or MiSAR, with whom we would be conducting a joint SAR Op over the next two days.
An overview of the Joe Clewley search area in the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, southwest of Paradise, in the Tahquamenon Falls State Park. (Graphic by Michael Neiger)
Based in southeastern Michigan, MiSAR is led by David Holcomb. The group's point person, Kari Dunn, coordinated this SAR Op, which included 6 of their highly-trained and certified K-9 teams. While most of the K-9s were Certified Wilderness Airscent (AS) dogs capable of finding both living and deceased persons, one was a Certified Human Remains (HR) specialist dog capable of finding remains of deceased persons.
Chris and I were were serving as field support (which consisted of primarily land navigation) for two of the teams. Chris spent the weekend working with Rayanne Chamberlain and Cota, an AS K-9, while I worked with Dave Holcomb and Tyche, an AS K-9.
Dave, Tyche, and I were charged with sweeping the eastern flank of the Lynch Creek Grade from the North Country Trail northwards to a rendezvous point within Section 1.
MiSAR's Dave Holcomb and Tyche, his senior wilderness air scent K-9, pause midday. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)
We arrived at our appointed location about 2:00 p.m. After a great lunched catered by the Clewley Family, we departed, charged with sweeping the northern and western limits of the swamp adjoining the west branch of Lynch Creek. Along the way, Dave and I checked out a bear den we found.
A bear den--located in a swamp east of the Camp 10 Lakes--scouted by Dave Holcomb and Michael Neiger. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)
Eventually, we arrived at the North Country Trail (NCT). As we were hiking southward along it, Dave encountered an unusually-large spider.
One big-butt spider along the North Country Trail (NCT) poses on Dave Holcomb's 1.5-inch diameter walking stick. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)
Earlier, we had received a radio call requesting our assistance at the entrance to another bear den. Russ Clewley had located several items nearby and wanted us to examine them.
The concealed and angled entrance to a bear den found by Russ Clewley, east of the Lynch Creek Grade. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)
After about an hours work around the bear den, we departed in the darkness for our vehicles at the trailhead. Once everyone was accounted for at the trailhead, many of us returned to the Clewley Family cabin for a delicious chili dinner.
Saturday, October 12
We all met for breakfast again at the Clewley Family cabin. When all was eaten, we departed for Section 1 where we finished searching what had not been combed the prior day.
The SAR crew (Chris Ozminski kneeling) from SAR Op No. 12. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)
About 3:00 p.m., we wrapped up the search and returned to the Clewley Family cabin for another, U.P.-style meal--pasties!--before we all departed homeward.
While we were still not able to ascertain Joe's location, we all vowed to return again. Dave Holcomb of MiSAR set November 1-2 as the date for the next K-9 SAR effort.
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In God's wilderness
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Alaska Wilderness, 1890
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Content Copyright © 1984 --
2009-09-16
by Michael A. Neiger
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