American Search Dogs, a northern Utah volunteer rescue organization, is making a third trip to Oregon to help look for a missing elk hunter.
Corey Fay, 17, has been missing for three weeks in the Mount Hood area after disappearing Nov. 30 while elk hunting with two friends.American Search Dogs has traveled to Oregon twice to work on the search. A team of dogs and handlers was scheduled to leave Thursday night for the latest attempt.
"It is now considered the most expensive search-and-rescue effort ever in Oregon," said Bruce Heckelman, local spokesman for American Search Dogs.
"This was the most massive search conducted in Oregon with more than $500,000 spent. It's really frustrating because you'd think you'd find some clues, but so far no one has."
The official search has been discontinued by the sheriff's office in the Mount Hood area, but Fay's parents are paying to have the Utah organization return to the scene.
"This is an unsanctioned search, but with the blessings from the sheriff's department. This is a last-ditch effort because the snow is coming down," Heckelman said.
"It could be kind of scary. We have to protect the safety of our own team. It could be borderline."
Delta Air Lines agreed to fly the six-man team and its dogs in the coach section. Normally only guide dogs for the blind are allowed in the passenger section, but Delta is waiving the rule in this case.