Missing snowmachiner rescues self

A snowmachiner missing since yesterday has been found in what Alaska State Troopers called a “self rescue.” Charles Moore, 51, of Homer, walked out of the Caribou Hills to his home near Mile 14 East End Road about 11:45 a.m. Monday morning. Moore was cold but otherwise uninjured, said Alaska State Troopers spokesperson Elizabeth Ipsen.

Moore had winter clothing and food. He made a fire and camped Sunday night, Ipsen said. Temperatures last night were about 28 degrees, but high winds caused conditions to get worse today, with blowing snow and low visibilty.

Moore got stranded on Sunday after his snowmachine hit a tree. He had gotten stuck several times, Ipsen said. Moore had purchased the snowmachine on Sunday, she said. Moore had last been seen about 10 a.m. Sunday morning and was reported missing about 10:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24.

About 15 to 20 searchers went out on snowmachines on Monday morning to look for Moore as well as searchers in a chartered helicopter. A planned search by the Snomads for Monday afternoon was canceled. All searchers had returned by about 3 p.m. Monday.

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com