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A Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue Op
for
Joseph Robert Clewley
Missing since July 13, 2008

by
Michael A. Neiger (a.k.a. LandNavMan)
Senior SAR Team Leader
Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue
Marquette :: Michigan

Michigan Backcountry SAR Team resources

Notice: This Web site is no longer being maintained; for the latest information on the search for Joe Clewley, visit his new Web site.

Page contents
     • Michigan Backcountry SAR Team operations log
     • Official sponsors and supporters of the Michigan Backcountry SAR Team
     • Michigan Backcountry' SAR Team vehicle parking permit

In the school of the woods
there is no graduation day.
—Horace Kephart 1917

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To read about search operations conducted or to be conducted by the Michigan Backcountry SAR Team for Joe Clewley, point your Internet browser to:

SAR Op No. 1: July 25-28, 2008 (Coyote Den Swamp)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

Joe Clewley's circa-1920, two-room, log cabin—The Chippewa Hunting Post—along the north bank of the Tahquamenon River. (Photo by Michael Neiger)

 

SAR Op No. 2: Aug 1-3, 2008 (Back-tracking Chip)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

Chip, Joe's faithful dog, two days after his return to the Clewley Cabin. (Photo by Michael Neiger)

 

Chris Ozminski, a member of the Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue Team, searches under the North Country Trail foot bridge over the main branch of Lynch Creek and the Lynch Creek Pond, respectively, in the southeast quarter of section 12. (Photo by Michael Neiger)

 

SAR Op No. 3: Aug 8-10, 2008 (Tahquamenon River proper)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

Sunset over Joe's Country, as viewed from Snug Harbor, which is situated 3.5 miles downstream from the Clewley log cabin. (Photo by Michael Neiger)

 

SAR Op No. 4: Aug 15-17, 2008 (Upper Lynch Creek Grade)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

Northbound on Lynch Creek Trail along the remains of the old Lynch Creek Grade, just north of the North Country Trail. (Photo by Michael Neiger)

 

SAR Op No. 5: Aug 22-24, 2008 (Camp 10 Lakes)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

Sunrise over Lake 716 in the chain of lakes known as the Camp 10 Lakes. (Photo by Michael Neiger)

 

SAR Op No. 6: Aug 29-31, 2008 (Lynch Creek Headwaters & points north)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

The expansive, game-trail-laden, Lynch Creek Headwaters Swamp. (Photo by Michael Neiger)

 

SAR Op No. 7: Sept 7-8, 2008 (Main Branch of Lynch Creek and Hdwtrs Swamp)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

Fungi are a common site along Lynch Creek riverbanks, which are studded with huge specimens old growth eastern white pine and eastern hemlock. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)

 

SAR Op No. 8: Sept 12-13, 2008 (Upper Lynch Creek Watershed)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

Old-growth-turned-dugout tree. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Chris Ozminski)

 

SAR Op No. 9: Sept 15-16, 2008 (Camp 10 Chain of Lakes)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

Sunset over Lake 716 in the Camp 10 Chain of Lakes. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)

 

SAR Op No. 10: Sept 25-28, 2008 (Camp 10 Lakes; upper Lynch Creek Watershed)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

View a 43-second video of Chris Ozminski reconning the depths of one of two bear dens he and MIchael Neiger found along the eastern limit of the marsh on the upper west branch of Lynch Creek, just upstream of the North Country Trail (NCT). Click on image to view video. (Video by Chris Ozminski)

 

SAR Op No. 11: Oct 9-10, 2008 (North bank of Tahquamenon River & Upper Lynch Creek Watershed area)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

The weathered bones of a moose along the north bank of the Tahquamenon River. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)

 

SAR Op No. 12: Oct 11-12, 2008 (Joint SAR Op with 6 K-9s from Michigan Search and Rescue)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

The SAR crew (Chris Ozminski kneeling) from SAR Op No. 12. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)

 

SAR Op No. 13: Oct 16-18, 2008 (Lynch Creek Watershed area)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

A small mammal skull found in the swamp east of the Lynch Creek Grade. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)

 

SAR Op No. 14: Oct 22-24, 2008 (Lynch Creek Watershed area)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

A scatter of moose bones--including the business-end of a hoof (rightmost photo)--found deep in the Lynch Creek Headwaters Swamp. Scatter of bones assembled for photographic purposes; rule is 24 inches in length. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)

 

SAR Op No. 15: Nov 1-2, 2008 (Lynch Creek Watershed area)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

Team Cota--Chris Ozminski of Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue; and K-9 Cota and Rayanne of Michigan Search and Rescue--assisted by Josiah, at the North Country Trail Footbridge over the main branch of Lynch Creek. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)

Team Cota--Chris Ozminski of Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue, poling; and K-9 Cota and Rayanne of Michigan Search and Rescue--working their way down stream along the main branch of Lynch Creek. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)

Team Jackie--K-9 Jackie and handler Josiah of Michigan Search and Rescue--working a tangled, swampy area in section 13 for any sign of Joe Clewley. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)

 

SAR Op No. 16: Nov 30 - Dec 1, 2008 (Lynch Creek Watershed area)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

SAR Op No. 17: Dec 17-19, 2008 (Timberlost Trail area)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

SAR Op No. 19: Jan 23-25, 2009 (Timberlost Trail area)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

SAR Op: May 3-4, 2009 (Timberlost Trail area)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

SAR Op: May 10, 2009 (K-9 Operation on NCT proper)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

SAR Op: June 14-15, 2009 (K-9 Operation on NCT proper and beyond)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

SAR Op: August 28-29, 2009 (Timberlost Trail area)
     • MiBSAR's special operations log entry (mission, photos, journal, etc.)

Future SAR operations:
     • Visit MiBSAR's home page to learn about upcoming SAR ops

 

Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue (MiBSAR) team members Michael Neiger (LandNavMan) of Marquette, Michigan and Chris Ozminski (NightBlazer) of Frankenmuth, Michigan. (Photo courtesy of Russ Clewley)

Notice: This Web site is no longer being maintained; for the latest information on the search for Joe Clewley, visit his new Web site.

No Boundaries Maps and Graphics, Inc.

No Boundaries Maps and Graphics, Inc.
614 Washington Way
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783

1-906-635-5451
Fax: 1-906-632-2544
Web site: http://www.nbmaps.com
E-mail: chuck@nbmaps.com
Owner: Chuck McCready

This firm provides custom cartographic and geographic information services (GIS).

Chuck, thanks for the custom-made, search-and-rescue quads and satellite photos! They're in demand among SAR crew members—"Where did you get that map?" inquired a Michigan State Police K-9 handler—and they're proving invaluable as the search for Joe Clewley continues.
—Michael Neiger

 

 

Marquette Forensic Laboratory

Marquette Forensic Laboratory
Forensic Science Division
Michigan Department of State Police
309 South 3rd St.
Marquette, MI 49855
1-906-228-2683
Director: David Stephens

The Marquette Crime Lab provides state-of-the-art forensic science services to law enforcement agencies across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Special thanks to Laboratory Director David Stephens and his staff of highly-trained experts for keeping us up-to-date on the latest in cutting-edge forensic science services and protocols. He and his staff's expertise have played a pivotal role in our efforts to assist the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office with their protracted investigation of the perplexing Joseph Clewley case.
—Michael Neiger

 

 

Michigan Search and Rescue

Michigan Search and Rescue
24/7 dispatch line: 1-800-818-5645
Web site: http://www.michigansar.org/
E-mail: MichiganSAR@hotmail.com
Leader: Dave Holcomb

Michigan Search and Rescue--primarily a missing-persons response team--provides certified K-9 teams free of charge to Great Lakes-area law enforcement agencies.

Special thanks to Dave Holcomb and his crew of professional handlers and highly-trained, certified K-9s for their on-scene expertise.
—Michael Neiger

 

 

 

Down Wind Sports

Down Wind Sports—Marquette Store
514 N. Third Street
Marquette, Michigan 49855
1-906-226-7112

Down Wind Sports—Houghton Store
308 Shelden Avenue
Houghton, Michigan 49931
1-906-482-2500

Web site: http://www.downwindsports.com
E-mail: gear@downwindsports.com
Owners: Bill Thompson, Todd King, and Jeff Stasser

Down Wind Sports is a leading, all-season, all-sport, outdoor retailer in the Upper Peninsula. They specialize in equipping and outfitting outdoor enthusiasts for rock-and-ice climbing, mountain-and-road biking, canoe-and-kayak paddling, backpacking, trail running, alpine-and-nordic skiing, teleskiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.

Special thanks to Bill, Todd, and Jeff for supporting MiBSAR's efforts at reuniting missing loved ones with their families.
—Michael Neiger

 

Iversons Snowshoe and Furniture

Iversons Snowshoe and Furniture
E12559 Mill Street
PO Box 95
Shingleton, Michigan 49884
1-906-452-6370

Web site: http://www.iverson-snowshoes.com
E-mail: isaf@jamadots.com
Owner: Bob Graves

This half-century-old, U.P.-based, manufacturing business fabricates some of the finest native-American-style showshoes available. Each pair of snowshoes is individually handcrafted from white ash in the company's plant in Shingleton, Michigan.

Learn more about Iversons Snowshoe and Furniture company by reading the article entitled Iversons Craft New Traditions For Porsche of Snowshoes, which appeared in the October 9, 2008 online issue of Snowshoe Magazine.

Special thanks to Bob, Betty, Ken, and Julie for supporting MiBSAR's efforts at reuniting missing loved ones with their families. Ken, I really appreciate the effort you're putting into custom-crafting the mother of all high-float bush snowshoes: 72-inch-long Ojibwas! I can't wait to use them in the bush.
—Michael Neiger

MC Sports

MC Sports
3020 W. Highway 41
Marquette , Michigan 49855
1-906-228-2941

 

 

Web site: http://www.mcsports.com

MC Sports is a full line sporting goods retailer providing the sports enthusiast with authentic, name brand sports equipment, shoes, and apparel. Founded and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, MC Sports currently operates 70 stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Missouri.

Special thanks to the staff of MC Sports in Marquette for supporting MiBSAR's efforts at reuniting missing loved ones with their families.
—Michael Neiger

 

Grabber

Grabber
5760 N Hawkeye Ct SW
Grand Rapids Michigan 49509
1-800-518-0938

Web site: http://www.warmers.com/

Grabber is a distributor of outdoor products, including NATO solid fuel (hexamine) tabs.

Special thanks to Grabber for supporting MiBSAR's efforts at reuniting missing loved ones with their families.
—Michael Neiger

 

 

Since your vehicle may end up parked for long periods in areas where law enforcement personnel and other resource managers may possibly question why, consider printing out this parking notice and placing it so it is readily visible through the driver's side of the windshield:

Click on graphic to view high-resolution imagery.

Top of page

In God's wilderness lies the hope of the world,
the great, fresh, unblighted, unredeemed wilderness.
 —John Muir (1838-1914), Alaska Wilderness, 1890

If you've been able to read this Web page...
thank a Teacher;
If you've been able to read this Web page in English...
thank a Veteran.
—Author unknown

Learn about upcoming trips and expeditions of the Michigan Bush Rats

Joe Clewley, Joe R. Clewley, Joe Robert Clewley, Joseph Clewley, Joseph R. Clewley, Joseph Robert Clewley

You're here: MiBSAR :: SAR Ops :: Joe Clewley SAR Ops Page :: SAR Team resources
You're here: Backpacker Magazine's Midwest Forum :: Joe Clewley Discussion Thread :: Joe Clewley SAR Ops Page :: SAR Team resources