Hikers in New York state have found the remains of a Canadian man who was missing for five months in the Adirondack Mountains, officials say. The remains of22-year-oldLeo DuFour were found on May 10 off the Allen Mountain Trail, part of the Adirondack backcountry, according to theNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation, or the DEC. A hiking party found the remains that morning and called officials, the department said. Forest rangers and New York State Police were called to work the case. DuFour is fromVaudreuil, in southwestern Quebec,Canada, and had previously set out to complete the 46 Adirondack high peaks. More news:High school student in critical condition after controversial 'senior assassin' game According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, DuFour's father said hewent hiking on Nov. 29and was supposed to return on Nov. 30, but never made it. DuFour signed the Mount Adams trail register on Nov. 29, 2024 and wrote that he was doing a one-day solo trip to Allen Mountain, reported theAdirondack Explorer. New York State Police found DuFour's car at theMount Adams trailheadnear Newcomb, and the vehicle was covered in snow. Searchers also found a set of tracks in the trail leading from DuFour's vehicle, but recent snowfall made it difficult to track, officials said. DuFour was last known to be near the summit of the mountain, and rangers found a water bottle above 3,500 feet in the slide area. His cell phone connected to a satellite in two locations, reported the Adirondack Explorer. At least 59 forest rangers have searched nearly 400 miles by foot, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said. New York State Police also sent two helicopters to transport crews, drop off supplies, and conduct aerial searches. Officials eventually said the search had turned into a recovery. On Dec. 9, the search transitioned into a "limited continuous search," meaning officials had stopped active field search efforts but continued air searches and patrols. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said agencies continued to search this spring since snow receded across the Adirondack backcountry. The mountain DuFour was climbing, Allen Mountain, is 4,340 feet high, reported the Adirondack Explorer. Authorities said his car was found at the Mount Adams trailhead, while his remains were found on theAllen Mountain Trail. The trail where his remains were found is a 17.7-mile back trail that has a lake and is "rated as difficult," according to Newcomb officials. The trail is best taken between April and September. Back inNovember 2023, DuFour shared photos from a trip he'd made to the Adirondacks, captioning the post "One of the best hikes I've done in my life." He was also there inApril 2024and said the trips were part of his attempt to complete the 46 Adirondack high peaks. Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia–the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Remains of Canadian hiker Leo DuFour found in Adirondack Mountains
