Volunteers continue search for Marine

Felix Doligosa Jr., Rocky Mountain News

Published September 5, 2006 at midnight

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BOULDER COUNTY - A handful of searchers are combing neighboring land and western section of Eldorado Canyon State Park this morning for a Boulder Marine who has been missing for a week.

The search comes after the Boulder County sheriff’s office stopped looking for Lance Hering on Sunday because they said they were confident that the 21-year-old was not in the area.

Family and friends disagree.

"This man has survival skill training," said Rick Baum secretary for the Marine Corps Memorial Association. "There is no evidence of an animal attack and Lance is extremely fit. He may be confused of the head injury."

About 15 hikers are searching for Hering.

On Aug. 29, Hering and a friend went bouldering and rock jumping in the park. After seeing the sunset, the two hiked down and Hering lost his balance, fell 30 feet and was knocked unconscious.

Hering’s friend went for help after he regained consciousness about 5 a.m.

Hering was gone when searchers arrived.

The Marine lance corporal, who is on leave after serving tours of duty in Iraq, may be suffering from hallucinations or amnesia, said Staff Sgt. Chris Travis who is helping with the search. Travis said Hering might be in survival mode and will probably hide from them.

Hering had just returned from his third tour of Iraq about a month ago. He is scheduled to return to Camp Pendleton next week.

Hering is 6 feet 1, 180 pounds with close cropped blond hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a ripped black T-shirt and white pants.

Anyone who has seen him should call the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office at 303-441-444.

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