Mt. Adams Wilderness, Washington – In early October, a woman’s 21-year-old horse trotted away from her in the Mt. Adams Wilderness. In the weeks that passed, desperate efforts were made to find the Appaloosa mix mare, Cheyenne.
The search efforts have been posted to the Starfish Pony Adventures Facebook page and recently, Cheyenne’s owner made the heartbreaking announcement that she had to leave her beloved horse on the mountain. Her post reads in part:
I had to leave Cheyenne on the mountain today.
I thought there might be one more day to ride and search, but as Cathy, Jessi, and I reached the first meadow we were checking after riding the horses up to Green Timber Camp, it started to snow. And snow and rain and snow some more.
Of course, that was exactly when I found Cheyenne’s tracks, after traversing the side of a steep meadow and climbing up towards a rocky knoll. Clear as day with their dusting of snow, 3 hoofprints climbing ahead of me. Cathy concurred and we continued up to the flatter top of the forested knoll and found prints EVERYWHERE. Milling around, evidence of grazing, and for the first time in 18 days – 2 piles of manure. Due to age of manure, we suspected this may be where she sought cover on the rainy and dusting of snow days of Oct 9-10th. Around about half of the edge of this knoll is a rocky knob part where you can see her walking as though looking for the best way to get back down.
Explaining how the inclement weather forced the decision:
So many days of searching. So many frigid mornings and nights. So many freezing hands and feet. So many miles up and down the mountain. So much calling out til my voice cracks. So many wonderful people devoting their time, energy, and horses to this cause. So many hours spent finding absolutely no sign.
And on the last day possible, the last hours possible, to see such hope. Only to be forced off the mountain, forced to pause and likely discontinue any active searching.
Snow at this elevation is no joke. Winter lasts 7+ months here. The mountain is not forgiving.
The fact that I had to make this call, to drive off that mountain and leave her behind, is something that will haunt me for the rest of my life.
People following the search effort are hopeful that a miracle will happen – that someone, against all odds, will spot the horse that got lost around the Highline Trail area on October 7.
Over $10,000 has been raised on a fundraiser to help with the search efforts. You can find the fundraiser at this link.
Elk Hunting season begins soon. Anyone who thinks they may have spotted Cheyenne is asked to contact her owner. Information included in the flyer below.
Follow the search efforts on Facebook here.
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