Dolores based K9 Search and Rescue assisted in a search for a former White House chef who went missing last week near the Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico.
Walter Scheib, 61, was found dead June 21 by another search team near the Yerba Trail. He had gone hiking on June 13.
“We joined several dog teams from across the state to search the area,” said K9 response director Chuck Melvin.
The K9 team led search dog Quidditty up the trail on Thursday. They were called back Sunday to search an area and verify a scent detected by another dog team.
“We hiked cross country for 11.9 miles in rugged terrain to check it out, but it turned out to be animal remains,” Melvin said. “We helped eliminate an area where he could be.”
According to the Taos News, search teams including the National Guard, were dropped off by a helicopter on top of Lobo Peak on Sunday. While descending the Yerba trail, they discovered Scheib’s body.
Weather may have caused trouble for Scheib. On Saturday, the National Weather Service reported the Sangre de Cristo mountains had heavy rain, hail, and lightning.
Scheib, 61, was the White House executive chef from 1994 until 2005.
He was the first American-born chef to hold the post, which was created in 1961.