Two elk hunters vanish in Colorado's Rio Grande National Forest; search continues

Two elk hunters from Charlottesville, Virginia, Andrew Porter and Ian Stanko, both 25, went missing after a hunting trip in Colorado’s Rio Grande National Forest. Porter and Stanko, who grew up together in Charlottesville, were last seen on Sept. 11 on a trail camera near their vehicle in the trailhead area, their families told FOX31.

Officials said a severe and sudden storm swept through the area around the time of the disappearance, though investigators cautioned that no definitive cause has been established. Fellow hunters reported seeing the friends on Sept. 12 heading back out from the trailhead, and a "massive search" began on Saturday after deputies couldn't locate them. The only items left behind were their camping gear and backpacks in a car.

A large-scale search is underway with helicopters, dog teams, drones, ATVs, local volunteers and multi-county and state agencies as part of Conejos County Sheriff's Office efforts. Porter's family and Stasko's relatives have flown from the East Coast to assist in the search. As of Wednesday evening, authorities had not located the missing men.

Bridget Murphy, Porter's fiancé, said she last heard from him at 2:45 p.m. last Thursday via a Garmin satellite device. She described the two as "very resourceful outdoorsmen" who have been "building shelters in the woods since they were 12 for fun." "If they're able, they will do everything they can to survive," Murphy said. "They’re not some random people who chose this area without thought. They’ve been looking at this area for six months before coming here."

Lori Meistrell, Porter's aunt, told FOX31 that their loved ones are all "praying for a positive outcome." "While we hold out hope to find these boys alive, we want to find them and bring them back either way. If this turns into a search and recovery instead of search and rescue, we hope to continue to get community support to find them," Meistrell added as she choked up.

As of Thursday afternoon, a GoFundMe page set up by the families to aid in the search had raised more than $75,000. Lynne Runkle, another aunt of Porter, wrote that severe storms moved through Thursday evening and that investigators suspect the weather may have caught the hikers off guard, underscoring the need for additional resources and time.

Officials emphasized that search and rescue operations in rugged terrain can be hampered by weather, terrain and limited daylight, and they urged the public to stay clear of the area to give responders room to operate.