Caballo Blanco – Micah True – Missing Final Update

4/2/12

Caleb Wilson, Mas Loco runner, provided some insights into the amazing events surrounding the search and rescue effort last week.

Caballo was found by his good friend of at least 13 years, Ray Molina. Ray is a fellow guide in Mexico. Of all the other teams, it was a friend who found his amigo. Caleb also wanted people to know that, “Two other Mas Locos ultra runners, Tim Puetz of Atlanta, GA and Simon Donato of Calgary, immediately ran out into the back country and waited through the night, watching over Caballo’s body, until the recovery team arrived the next morning.”

Finally, “Caballo was found in a beautiful area. If there was any place for him to go, the spot where he was found was perfect. His body was even led out of the canyon by a White Horse named Tequila :]”

We’d like to thank Caleb, Scott Leese and others who were able to provide information for the rest of us who waited as they worked to find Caballo.

Caballo meant so much to so many. This was shown in the number of people who flew or drove in from all parts of the country to help in the search and rescue efforts. There may be no greater testament of a man than when your friends drop everything to come to your rescue.

Caballo had a habit of signing off from his posts of good news with… “and Guadajuko just smiles” (referring to his dog, Guadajuko a.k.a the Ghost Dog of the Sierra Madres). This time, Caballo just smiles.

Update 4/1/12 7:45am

Caballo’s good friend Ray Molina found Micah around 4:20 to the south of the visitors center about 6 miles in on a trail. Per Scott Leese, “He was
laying down peacefully. No trauma, no injuries… He had 1/2 a bottle of water next
to him.”

Update 3/31/12 9:20 PM

Unfortunately for all of us Micah True was found dead late this afternoon in the Gila National Forest. Out of respect for Micah’s family and loved ones, we will wait to be more forthcoming with information when it is appropriate. We can say he was found without Trauma and was found by a close friend.
Our time with Caballo was special and he will be missed in ways none of us would think possible.

Update 3/31/12 1:00 PM

Teams were sent out this morning with pics of Caballo’s shoe tread in order to facilitate in tracking. Many Mas Locos have arrived on site to help in the search. They can cover more ground than the general search and rescue teams.

Per Scott Leese, “Teams from all over the state of NM. At least 100 people searching, Helicopters, horses, dog teams and Mas Locos…” Included in the search are elite ultra marathoner Scott Jurek and writer of “Born to Run”, Chris McDougal.

Scott went on to say, “Micah was definitely seen by at least 5 witnesses running up the middle of the road cars having to dodge him… We are searching every possible location, the mas locos can cover more ground than general teams. We have Guadajuko with Luis and Maria and they
are running behind Guadajuko checking and following his lead.”

Update 3/30/12 11:30 pm

Caballo Blanco has yet to be found as operations have been wound down for the evening.

A message was relayed today that Nick and Jamil Coury were going out with Caballo’s Dog, Guadajuko, to see if he would pick up Caballo scent.

At 4:30pm Scott Leese, agent and friend of Caballo, posted that the command post had no news but lots of teams were coming in from throughout the state. There would be horse, dog and mule teams joining the search. Dog teams had not picked up any scent or sign and many Mas Locos were joining the search. Mas Locos are what runners of the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon are referred to.

Around 9pm Mas Locos, Luis Escobar, reported there were other runners available and they had spent 8 hours on-site. According to Luis the area is extremely large, remote and wild. No signs of Caballo had been found. Numbers according to the report included 32 ground teams, dogs, horses, airplanes etc.

Per the Silver City Sun-News, “Search and rescue teams in the area Friday included Grant County Search and Rescue, Luna County Search and Rescue, Dona Ana County Search and Rescue, Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue, Organ Mountain Technical Rescue Squad, Southern New Mexico Search and Rescue, BORSTAR, Alamogordo Search and Rescue, White Mountain Search and Rescue, Cibola Search and Rescue, New Mexico Mountain Search and Rescue, Chaves County Search and Rescue, the Forest and Park services, the National Guard and Civil Air Patrol.”

Update 3/30/12 3:00 pm

Search and rescue efforts are fully operational in the Gila area to find Micah True. Information is trickling, but here are some of the most recent developments :

We were informed that hi-tech equipment has been put to contribution to try and locate Micah in the wilderness from the air, while the search on foot was underway. Infra-red scanning equipment was used to attempt to pick up Micah’s heat signature. The scan yielded no results yet.

After an unsuccessful attempt yesterday, Micah’s dog has been brought to the trails again, this time with pieces of clothing in an attempt to pick up a scent.

Local outdoors experts, outfitters and residents have been hard at work as early as Wednesday. They haven’t stopped the search at night time and are sparing no effort to find our friend.

More Mas Locos are on their way to the search headquarters to lend a hand.

For the moment, the S&R command center says they have enough people on site to conduct an efficient operation. Backup lists have also been created if prolonged efforts should become necessary.

Only consider going to the site if you are well-equipped, experienced and autonomous. That includes your own food and shelter, lighting, clothing for warm and cold weather (70’s in the day, 20’s at night) and all proper gear and footwear.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

Update 3/30/12 12:44 pm

We have been in contact with a number of sources regarding Caballo’s disappearance base on our most recent information Caballo has not been located.

You can look for updated news here, we are trying to remain in contact to those closest to the situation so we can update you.

According to Flintland
“- A professional Search and Rescue canine team from the US Border Patrol has joined the operation. With Micah’s trail hopefully still fresh, they should prove a great help.
– The center of S&R operations has welcomed the help of experienced, autonomous ultra runners and outdoor experts in the area. They requested that the teams who showed up be completely autonomous with shelter, food and equipment and are coordinating communications via radio.
– After an initial search using Micah’s dog and various informations and tips, the S&R team was able to eliminate a couple trails from the search. The challenge now is to find reliable leads, quickly.
– Micah’s agent, as well as his loved ones, have expressed great thanks for all the prayers and support coming from fans and friends from all over the world.”

Friends of Caballo on the google mas locos group are sharing information that is being directed to search/rescue efforts. Such as shoe size and type.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.