When a 17 year old goes missing while on a hunt, a huge search is launched. The ten day search is extensive, but nothing is found–not the rifle or any of the belongings he had on him at the time of his disappearance. The FBI was even called in, but there were no answers until just over a year later. What happened that November day? 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badger_Creek_Wilderness

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Hood_National_Forest

https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/mysterious-stories-blog/corey-fay

https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/ay6drt/what_happened_to_17_year_old_corey_fay/

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/131035257/corey_c-fay

https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19920921/1514244/missing-ore-teen-confirmed-dead

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Today’s stories take us from a windswept California shoreline…to the steep cliffs of the Smoky Mountains…into the narrow slot canyons of Utah…down into one of the deepest canyons in North America…up to the top of the world on Mount Everest…and finally—to a rare story of hope, in the forests of Madagascar.

Sources:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/remains-banker-missing-1999-found-california-beach-family-looking-seas-rcna265781

https://www.wvlt.tv/2026/03/30/woman-dies-after-60-foot-fall-alum-cave-trail-great-smoky-mountains/

https://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/hikers-rescued-from-flash-flood-in-little-wild-horse-canyon-utah/

https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/denver-man-black-canyon-gunnison/73-5f12e018-e8ff-4072-9181-bff347d58e65

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/fraud-mount-everest-climbers-targeted-alleged-rescue-insurance-scam-rcna266533

https://news.mongabay.com/2026/04/a-reforestation-corridor-in-madagascar-offers-a-future-for-lemurs-and-locals/

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 In March of 1993, a hiker on the Wailau trail was suffering from scraped and bleeding feet after hiking miles in rough terrain. He approached a helicopter on the beach and asked for a lift out, but was denied the help because he didn’t have $650 to pay for the helicopter ride. He has been missing ever since. 

If you have any information about the disappearance of Jeffery Zoltowski, please contact the Michigan State Police at 313-215-0675 Case Number MPC-12-15 or the Honolulu Police Department at 808-955-8300 Case Number 94-1203.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wailau

https://disappearedblog.com/jeffrey-zoltowski/

https://www.sfgate.com/hawaii/article/molokai-jeffrey-zoltowski-21953090.php

https://www.mauicounty.gov/425/Missing-People

https://www.trailgroove.com/blogs/entry/232-hiking-the-wailau-trail-lost-in-a-hawaiian-jungle/?srsltid=AfmBOoqnZ2yAGszIaLlfFbp01Sa7qDG0QB0Z_NvD5euvDqYjEl1XZpNB

https://www.facebook.com/groups/124315261807/

https://www.namus.gov/MissingPersons/Case#/601

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Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_of_the_Holy_Cross

https://apps.colorado.gov/apps/coldcase/casedetail.html?id=1155

https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/hiking-and-backpacking/michelle-vanek-mount-holy-cross/?scope=anon

https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/mysterious-stories-blog/michelle-vanek

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On October 8, 1969, a 78‑year‑old hunter vanished while hunting with his family near Sparks Lake, Oregon — a disappearance that sparked a large search but yielded no trace. The following summer rescuers found his rifle, clothing, one boot and a glove carefully placed at the base of a tree. 

Sources:

 https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/destinations/lakes-reservoirs/sparks-lake/

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/deschutes/recreation/sparks-lake

https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/mysterious-stories-blog/2017/10/22/robert-winters-strange-disappearances-from-us-wilderness-areas

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 In August 2016 a British computer engineer disappeared while hiking a relatively easy route between the villages of Marie and Clans in the Tinée Valley, France. He set out alone on a familiar (3.7 miles) 6–7 km walk in good weather but never returned. What happened to him?

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Alps

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-37012596

https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/help-us-find/david-wood-16-003892

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Valerie-Armstrong

https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21367504.wife-woodbridge-man-david-wood-went-missing-french-alps-reflects-year-without-eccentric-husband/

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-48623766

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-48623766

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It's September 2004 in the Bighorn Mountains and a Crow Nation man goes missing while on a hunting trip. He was experienced and knew the area well. Over a year later, a crow leads a hunter to human remains and there are more questions left than answers. When Indigenous people go missing or die in remote places, their stories too often disappear into silence, treated as footnotes instead of human lives. This is the mysterious disappearance and death of Bikkaashee Iisaaakshe (Robert "Bugsy" Springfield).

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bighorn_Mountains

https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/mysterious-stories-blog/robert-bugsy-springfield

https://indianz.com/News/2007/005696.asp

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22901309/robert-bikkaashee_iisaaakshe-springfield

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National parks are supposed to be peaceful—untouched slices of wilderness. But dig through the right reports, and you’ll find something else: the weird stuff. The unsettling stuff. The “what the hell actually happened out there?” stuff. Join us for part three of bizarre incident reports from various national parks.

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Many stories of missing people in the outdoors sound like this: they were hiking with a friend, went around a bend or over a hill and were never seen again. It's a tale we’ve heard numerous times. On a few occasions, they are sometimes found, but not always alive. This was the case on Owyhigh Lakes Trail in June 2014. 

Sources:

https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/owyhigh-lakes.htm

https://www.union-bulletin.com/opinion/letter---hiker-who-died-on-mount-rainier-was-a-poet/article_c4a76180-df93-5441-ae95-ac031b5ac25f.html

https://www.wta.org/news/signpost/remembering-hiker-writer-karen-sykes

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/21/karen-sykes-seattle-hiker-mount-rainier-missing

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/friends-mourn-outdoors-writer-who-vanished-on-hike/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/karen-sykes-mount-rainier-hiker-died-of-hypothermia-1.2685330

https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/hiking-safety.htm

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Imagine its September 2009 in the Santa Fe National Forest: aspen trees are beginning to turn gold and its hunting season. Three friends are planning to hunt near Elk Mountain. They separated and had plans to meet back up. One failed to return and has been missing ever since. Today I was able to sit down with his daughter, Kristen Nadel, who is still keeping her dad in the headlines to get answers about what happened that September day.

Special thanks to Kristen for this interview and insight into her dad's case.

Mel's Charley Project Page

If you know anything about the disappearance of Mel Nadel please contact the New Mexico State Police at 505-827-9300.

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