A week-long search for missing seasonal employee Clay Rubano, 46, in the Wind River Range in Wyoming was scaled back last Monday, November 19th. Rubano worked as a backcountry permit writer in Many Glacier from 2001 to 2006 and remains an intermittent employee for the park. He was working for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and was reported missing when he failed to report for work on the 12th. Rubano was thought to be planning a hike above the falls of the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River, and his car was discovered at a nearby trailhead. Fremont County Search and Rescue actively searched for Rubano for seven days, utilizing ground searchers, dog teams and helicopters. Given that Rubano is an expert outdoorsman and was likely well prepared for his intended hike, searchers believe that something "unusual" happened. The park committed a CISM peer support/family liaison councilor to the incident to support Rubano's spouse, Rachel Jenkins, who has worked as a bear ranger in Many Glacier for 12 seasons. Jenkins was working in Many Glacier when she learned of Rubano's disappearance. In addition to the CISD councilor, numerous current and former NPS employees traveled to the Lander area to volunteer to assist in the search. Some of them continued looking for Rubano after the search was scaled back. The Fremont County Sheriff's Office will continue to investigate the disappearance. Volunteer efforts in Lander last week were coordinated by Lake Roosevelt NRA chief ranger Margaret Goodro. A media report on the search can be found at the link below.
