Vanished in the Wilderness: The Mysterious Disappearance of Susan Adams Near Grangeville, Idaho

A Journey into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness

In late September 1990, Susan Seymour Adams, a 42-year-old woman from Austin, Texas, embarked on a meticulously planned camping and hunting trip with her husband, Tom Adams, and a group of guides from Iron Horse Outfitters. Their destination was the remote and rugged Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness near Battle Lake, Idaho, east of Grangeville. The couple had spent months preparing for this adventure, eager to explore the vast expanse of wilderness that straddles the Idaho-Montana border.

The Morning of Disappearance

On the morning of September 30, 1990, Susan informed the camp's chef that she planned to take a short hike to a nearby meadow to engage in bird watching—a pastime she enjoyed. Dressed in camouflage-print clothing and carrying only a camera and binoculars, she set out alone around 9:00 a.m. Notably, she did not take any food, warm clothing, or survival gear, indicating her intention for a brief outing.

A Trail That Suddenly Ends

When Susan failed to return by evening, her husband, Tom, who had just come back from an overnight hunting trip, grew concerned. He retraced her intended path toward the meadow and discovered her footprints along a dusty trail. However, approximately 20 yards from the meadow, the tracks abruptly ceased, as if she had vanished into thin air. This perplexing detail added a layer of mystery to her disappearance.

An Intensive Search Effort

The following morning, one of the guides rode to the nearest town to alert authorities. An extensive search operation ensued, involving air and ground teams, including helicopters provided by the National Guard at the request of the Texas governor, for whom Tom Adams worked. Despite these efforts, no trace of Susan was found. The search was hampered by early winter conditions, including snow and cold temperatures, leading to its suspension until the weather improved. In July 1991, a renewed search utilizing dogs and trackers was conducted, marking one of the largest search operations in Idaho County's history. ...Read More

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