Officials release details on Kara Moore’s search & rescue

UPDATE: Thursday, July 20th, 2017 6:30 p.m.

A fun family hike turned into panic after one member got separated from the group. Now on average missing hikers are typically found within 24 hours- but here’s the story behind Kara Moore’s five day search and rescue.

Kara Moore and her family were hiking Little Beaver Campground. Around 1:30 p.m. the group of ten started the trek back to the car- Ms. Moore gathering items to put in her pack and somehow got left behind.

According to troopers Moore suffers short term memory loss- making the situation different than others.

“Definitely made it more difficult, trying to learn from the family things that she may have done, things that she likes, places that she likes because they have visited here before,” So certainly with a short term memory loss it does make it more difficult, especially if she were to get off trail.”

Moore recalls sleeping next to a log and drinking water from creeks, but was unable to give investigators an accurate description of how she survived, where she hiked or even where she slept.

The first step in located her was a hasty search, involving as many people as possible to search the main trails. During this specific search a boat was called in.

“The next day the search operations ramped up quite a bit,” Trooper Patmore said. “State police dog teams coming in, state police helicopter, we had people hiking everywhere, off trail and on trail and expanding out from the initial area. So there a was a lot more work that was going on Saturday.”

The search spread out to the logging roads and additional help was provided by ATVs. But what method brought the missing hiking back home?

Two hikers who recognized Moore from pictures and confirmed by asking her name. The hikers informed Moore a lot of people we’re searching for her then flagging down a trooper.

According to troopers, 5 to 10 hikers go missing a year in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

“There are statistics as far as how many people were the subject of search and rescue operations, major search and rescue operations such as this one.”

But National Parks do not keep record of the actual count of people missing on their land. According to Patmore- it’s not an issue locally, although hikers get lost frequently, they are typically located quickly.

In order to ensure the most safety while hiking always go in a group, notify others where you are hiking. Patmore recommends always leaving a note at home or in your car if there is no one for you to tell in person.

Typically kids will hike ahead and each group will have a hiker who prefers to go at a slower pace.

“I think one of the most important things when hiking with a group is everybody understands when you get to a trail junction everybody should stop and wait and make sure the whole group is together.”

This ensures no one takes a wrong turn. Another tip is the always helpful buddy system.

The most important thing to do if you are lost-stay put and try to stay calm. Many hikers end up walking in circles becoming exhausted.

A whistle was the first thing troopers handed to Moore when she returned safety back in town. The family would like to thank the community for all the help and support and is also asking for privacy at this time.

UPDATE: Wednesday, July 19th, 2017 2:20 P.M.

Missing hiker, Kara Moore has been found alive in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Moore was last seen hiking on the evening of July 14th. She walked into the Little Beaver Campground at around 1:30 P.M. today.

UPDATE: Tuesday, July 18th, 2017 10:30 a.m. ET

The search continues for Kara Moore, 55, who was last seen Friday, July 14th. Kara was hiking with her family in the Beaver Creek Wilderness area of Pictured Rocks. Her family reported her missing at 7:50 P.M. and searchers began to look for her around 8:30 P.M.

On Saturday July 19th, Michigan State Police canine teams, Michigan DNR conservation officers and Hiawatha National Forest staff joined National Park Service staff joined the search.

Multiple emergency personnel have searched on and off trails with ATV’s, canoes, helicopters, and motorboats. Michigan Backcountry Search & Rescue arrived Sunday evening to help, and a tactical tracking team from the Keweenaw Bay Tribal Police joined the search on Monday.

Backpackers, hikers, and campers are asked to keep their eyes open for Kara Moore. She is white, 5’4, has long gray hair and was wearing metal rimmed glasses, black pants, a purple sweatshirt, a turquoise jacket, and has a multi-colored backpack.

If anyone has information or sees Kara Moore, please call 911.

MUNISING — Officials at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore are looking for a missing hiker.

The woman’s name is Kara Moore. She’s been missing since Friday.

Moore was last seen Friday afternoon walking on Little Beaver Lake Trail. Kara is a white female in her 50’s.

She is 5’4″, with long gray hair and metal rimmed glasses. Moore is wearing black pants, tennis shoes, a purple sweatshirt, along with a turquoise jacket and a multicolored backpack.

If anyone sees Cara Moore, you’re asked to call 911.