Missing Crook County rockhound found

A rockhound became separated from his partner in the Dendrite Butte area of Crook County over the weekend, prompting a search that found him on a remote road about five miles away, slightly dehydrated but otherwise in good shape, officials said Tuesday.

Crook County sheriff’s deputies took a report about 7:40 p.m. Saturday of a lost person in the Dendrite Butte area of the East Maury Mountains, said Michael Ryan, the county’s emergency manager.

They were told David Givens, 42, of Prineville, had gone to the area with his friend, Kevin Kirschman, to do some rockhounding and had gone in separate direction, Ryan said.

An investigation found that Givens had returned to their vehicle, ate lunch and headed back out some time between noon and 2:30 p.m.

Kirschman became concerned when his friend did not return. Ryan said Kirschman left some basic supplies for Givens, noting a camper in the area he was going to Prineville to notify authorities.

Crook County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue and deputies were called out and began searching the area.

Around 10:40 p.m., SAR personnel found Givens on a remote, unnamed road in the area. Givens was slightly dehydrated but otherwise in good shape, having wandered about five miles from his original location, Ryan said.

After getting some basic information from Givens, the pair were released and returned to their camping area in Prineville.