Cd'A men still missing

The Idaho County Sheriff's Office has suspended its search for two missing Coeur d'Alene men in the Riggins area, but acquaintances kept looking Wednesday.

Neighbors Patrick Lusk, 27, and Jason Gritten, 35, went to the rugged Salmon River canyon area last weekend to hunt for bear, but were reported missing Sunday night when they hadn't made contact.

Their camp and trailer were located, and a canoe was found upside down in the swift river.

The two went to the French Creek area of the Salmon River about 15 miles east of Riggins.

"We're fairly confident that they're in the river," Idaho County Sheriff Doug Giddings said.

Two sets of tracks between the hot springs and the river were found during Monday's search.

"We're calling an end to our part of the search," Giddings said. "We've been up and down the river, in and out of the water (several) times."

Giddings said maps have been provided to the acquaintances of the two, who remain in the area searching.

"Some came and opted out of the search after they saw what the environment and terrain are like," Giddings said. "When you get out of the river, it's just crazy steep mountains."

Giddings said the two reportedly were not wearing life jackets, but he doesn't know that for sure because there were no witnesses.

Lusk works at Ground Force Worldwide in Post Falls.