Denver (KDVR) – late last year, the remnants of a woman from Colorado were found after nearly two decades of losing a picnic. Now, a family member uses the tragedy as an opportunity to ensure that it does not happen to anyone else.
In 2005, Michelle Vanik lost long distances from the Holy Cross in Eagle Province. Despite the huge research efforts, it was not found until last year after 19 years.
Ethan Whitson was only six years old when his aunt Michel disappeared.
“She was an incredible woman,” said Whitson.
Even at an early age, he had already grown near her, and her loss was destroyed.
“I think the presence of a family member has separated from you at an early age like this is really influential, especially someone you know,” Wittson said. “
At that time, one of the largest research parties in the history of the state combed the mountain of the Holy Cross.
“There were more than 800 people involved in the research,” Wittson said. “Multiple helicopters, different levels of government.”
But it was not feasible. For nearly 20 years, the Vanik family had no closure.
“It has always been a huge puzzle and we never knew it,” Wittson said.
Until late 2023, when two hikers found shoes, the Vail Mountain Rescue collection was able to get to know that they are VNEK, confirming that they were looking into the wrong place. The following year, in 2024, they found Vanik’s remains in the same area.
Wittison could not believe that.
He said: “I was wandering around Steamboat to ski resort and hug my eyes greatly in an attempt to address what happened.”
Now, he hopes that no other families have the same hardships. Whiton collects money for the Vail Mountain Resue Group group, which found VANEK.
“Search and rescue suffer from lack of funding, and they play an important important role in our mountains,” Wittson said.
It encourages hikers not to leave each other when walking for long distances together and always be aware of the conditions of the corridor.
“You can top a mountain on any day, they don’t move,” said Whitson. “If this is not the right position, you can always do this next year.”
Now, with the closure he was never sure that he would get it, Wittson says he will never leave the house without his aunt again.
“The alpine and mountains environment for me is like my church, and every time I go out there, it is in my thoughts,” Whitson said.
Whitson works in the Leadville 100 this week as a way to raise money for the Vail Mountain Rescue Group. Also started a Gofundment for the same reason.