Wilderness Search Investigations

05/29/2026

Hello,

I wanted to clarify the difference between the two upcoming Field Training Exercises (FTXs), as there appears to be some confusion.

The first event, the Pre-FTX on June 6, is intended to provide basic field training and help volunteers understand how operations will be conducted in the field. This training is designed to prepare participants for the Primary-FTX taking place June 26–28.

Please note that the basic training provided during the Pre-FTX will not be repeated during the Primary-FTX. Attendance at the June 6 Pre-FTX is highly encouraged for anyone planning to assist during the June 26–28 operation, as it will help ensure volunteers are properly prepared for field activities.

Additional information and sign-up details for the Primary-FTX will be shared following the June 6 Pre-FTX.

If you have any questions, please reach out as soon as possible, as time is of the essence.
Thank you for helping support the Eckles family in the search for Ian. Ian deserves to come home.

05/22/2026

Ian Eckles is one of our recent active cases. We are currently conducting Field Training Exercises (FTX), providing team members with hands-on training while supporting active investigations and search operations.

As the number of missing outdoor enthusiast cases continues to rise each year, WSI is seeking dedicated volunteers to support our mission in a variety of roles, including:
• Board positions
• Ground search personnel, with opportunities to advance into Search Manager roles
• 4x4 Team members

If you or someone you know is interested in contributing, we encourage you to contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.wsiint.org

05/22/2026

Wilderness Search Investigations (WSI) will be conducting Field Training Exercises (FTX) for the ongoing search efforts for Ian Eckles, focused on a variety of search sweep techniques. Initial training operations will begin with K9 teams and their handlers.
WSI is currently seeking volunteers interested in training for K9 Support / Flanker positions. Individuals in these roles will also receive additional training over time to assist in broader search operations.

The primary FTX for Ian will take place June 19–21 and will mark the beginning of the first coordinated search sweeps. Volunteers wishing to participate in the June 19–21 search efforts are strongly encouraged to attend the pre-FTX training on June 6, as this material will not be covered during the primary FTX and is considered essential knowledge for supporting K9 operations.

Pre-FTX Training Details
Location: Big Finn Hill Park
Date: June 6

Training Topics Include:
• Safety and Terrain Awareness
• Radio Communications (radios will be provided)
• Navigation (personal GPS required)
• K9 Support / Flanker Operations

For additional information or questions, please contact:
[email protected]

Please sign up for the pre-FTX here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0549ABA92BA3FCCE9-64269198-preftx

[UPDATE - The primary FTX for Ian will take place June 26-28]
If you are interested in helping, please signup for the Pre-FTX scheduled for June 6.

05/19/2026

The first clue in a wilderness disappearance is almost never where you expect it.

Wilderness Search Investigations (WSI) was formed to address a difficult and often overlooked reality: after official search efforts for missing outdoor enthusiasts conclude, families are frequently left without a path forward. Search & Rescue teams and law enforcement agencies perform extraordinary work under difficult conditions, but operational limitations, resource constraints, weather, time factors, and risk management considerations can require active searches to end before families feel they have answers. WSI exists to help fill that gap by providing continued case review, investigative follow-up, and field-based reassessment where appropriate.

For families, the absence of answers can create lasting emotional, psychological, and practical burdens that persist long after official searches conclude. Continued investigative attention can uncover overlooked leads, re-examine assumptions, and help families feel they have not been abandoned. WSI is not intended to replace Search & Rescue teams or law enforcement agencies, but rather to operate as a complementary and respectful resource dedicated to supporting families and advancing unresolved cases responsibly.

WSI is intentionally building slowly and carefully, with a strong emphasis on ethics, governance, operational discipline, and long-term credibility. The organization is seeking thoughtful board members and advisors with backgrounds in Search & Rescue, outdoor recreation leadership, law enforcement, nonprofit governance, finance, legal or risk management, communications, and philanthropy. This work appeals to individuals who care deeply about the outdoor community, believe families deserve continued support after searches conclude, and want to help shape an organization responsibly from the ground up.

Wilderness Search Investigations (WSI)
Website: www.wsiint.org
Email: [email protected]

Wilderness Search Investigations Help Us in Finding the lostWith your generosity, we will be able to purchase all the resources necessary to locate all of the missing outdoor enthusiasts, bringing closure to all of their families, friends and loved ones. Your one time or monthly donations are greatl...

05/13/2026

The information is everywhere. So why are people still lost in the wilderness?

Wilderness Search Investigations (WSI) was formed to address a difficult and often overlooked reality: after official search efforts for missing outdoor enthusiasts conclude, families are frequently left without a path forward.

Search and Rescue teams and law enforcement agencies perform extraordinary work under difficult conditions. However, operational limitations, resource constraints, weather conditions, time factors, and risk management considerations often require active searches to end before families feel they have answers.

WSI exists to help fill that gap.

For families, uncertainty can persist for years.

The absence of answers creates emotional, psychological, and practical burdens that rarely disappear simply because an official search has ended.

Continued investigative attention can generate overlooked leads, re-examine assumptions, and help families feel they have not been abandoned.

WSI is not intended to replace Search & Rescue teams or law enforcement agencies.
The organization is designed to operate as a complementary and respectful resource focused on continued case review, investigative follow-up, and field-based reassessment where appropriate.

WSI’s long-term credibility and sustainability will depend heavily on the strength of its governance.

The organization seeks respected and thoughtful leaders who can help shape organizational ethics, governance discipline, strategic direction, public credibility, and community trust.

WSI is particularly interested in individuals with backgrounds in:
- Search & Rescue
- Outdoor recreation leadership
- Law enforcement or investigations
- Nonprofit governance
- Finance or accounting
- Legal or risk management
- Communications and media
- Philanthropy and fundraising

This work appeals to individuals who care deeply about the outdoor community, believe families deserve continued support after searches conclude, and want to help shape an organization responsibly from the ground up.

WSI is intentionally building slowly and carefully, with an emphasis on ethics, governance, operational discipline, and long-term credibility.

We are seeking board members and advisors who believe this work matters and who want to help shape the organization responsibly from the beginning.

If you or someone in your network aligns with one of the backgrounds we’re seeking, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Wilderness Search Investigations (WSI)
Website: www.wsiint.org
[email protected]

Wilderness Search Investigations Help Us in Finding the lostWith your generosity, we will be able to purchase all the resources necessary to locate all of the missing outdoor enthusiasts, bringing closure to all of their families, friends and loved ones. Your one time or monthly donations are greatl...

04/28/2026

Search planning for Ian Eckles has begun in the background. Started driving roads to determine the current road conditions. Road NF 130 is open and clear of snow and debris. Road NF 132 was open and clear of snow and debris to first switchback except for the overhanging branches. Turned around at this point due to the branches scratching vehicle. Road NF 9702 was hit hard from the winter weather conditions. Repair work has begun with new gravel. The last portion is rough and muddy to Red Top Mountain trailhead.

12/31/2025

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season. To all of our incredible 2025 volunteers: thank you for your time, your support, and the countless ways you’ve helped move our mission forward. We couldn’t do this without you.

11/04/2025

🌟Early Giving & Giving Tuesday are just around the corner!🌟

As a licensed nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, all donations to WSI are tax-deductible. Every dollar truly makes a difference — helping us cover essential costs like licenses, website maintenance, and operational support.

WSI is dedicated to helping families of missing outdoor enthusiasts by continuing investigations and searches in the wilderness. These families live every day with uncertainty, waiting for answers and hoping their loved ones come home. 💛

Your generous donations make this vital work possible — from helping us cover essential costs to funding search efforts for families in need.

🙏 Please consider donating this Giving Tuesday (or anytime during Early Giving!) to help us continue making a difference. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps bring hope to families still waiting.

➡️ https://wsiint.org

Thank you for your support and compassion. Together, we can help bring loved one’s home.

Send a message to learn more

10/21/2025

We’ve been quiet on social media lately — busy working hard in many areas of the realm — but we’re back with exciting news!

We’re currently developing a Field Training Exercise (FTX) designed for either:
• Experienced outdoor enthusiasts looking to sharpen or refresh their search skills.
• K9 teams continuing their field practice.
• New adventurers eager to learn how to search for missing persons in wilderness environments.
All while working active cold cases.

We’ve already begun training with K9 teams in the field, where we’re applying these exercises directly to an active cold case.

If you're interested in participating in an FTX or supporting our ongoing efforts, we’d love to hear from you. We're always looking for passionate volunteers to assist with our current cold case work.

Let’s train with purpose — and help bring answers to the families still waiting. Let’s bring them home. 🧡

Reach out to us at [email protected]

09/22/2025

CNN news has been covering the Travis Decker case. CNN reached out to WSI for our input regarding the search and terrain in the Leavenworth, WA area. As we were mentioned on CNN, I would like to share their article.

Investigators spent the summer combing the wilderness of the Washington Cascades for Travis Decker – the man thought to have killed his three young daughters at a campground at the end of May. A backdrop of rugged mountains and scenic trails gave way to specialized search teams, helicopters and do...