On October 2, 2022, a 29-year-old male named David Lunde went missing in Hesperus, Colorado. An avid and experienced trail runner, David had set out early that morning to run a challenging route known as the La Plata Enchilada, a 20- to 40-mile loop that traverses several mountain summits in the San Juan National Forest. He was last seen after parking his car at the trailhead for Madden Peak in La Plata Canyon.
Concerns arose when he did not show up for his job at James Ranch later that evening, which was described as being out of character for him. His girlfriend reported him missing the following morning, initiating a search and rescue operation.
The search for David was extensive, involving multiple agencies including the La Plata County Sheriff's Office, La Plata County Search and Rescue, and the Montezuma County Search and Rescue. Search efforts were hampered by inclement weather, which included heavy rain, hail, and eventually snow at higher elevations. Teams on the ground utilized all-terrain vehicles, and air support was also deployed to scour the rugged and heavily wooded terrain. Despite their efforts, which spanned over two weeks and involved thousands of hours of searching, no trace of David was found other than his vehicle, which remained at the trailhead. The official search was suspended on October 16, 2022.
David was described by his family and friends as an incredibly fit and experienced runner with a deep Christian faith. He was known for his quiet integrity, gentle warmth, and a genuine interest in others. At the time of his disappearance, he was believed to be wearing running shorts, a t-shirt, red shoes, and a brown cap. He may have been carrying two water bottles and a cell phone. The running community and his loved ones held a celebration of his life on October 30, 2022, to honor his memory. The case remains a painful mystery for his family and the community, highlighting the inherent risks of solo adventures in the unpredictable mountain wilderness.Last Seen: Oct 2, 2022
