Park Rangers Search for Missing 76-Year-Old Hiker After He Disappears from Tracking Device

Park Rangers in Sequoia National Park say a search is underway for a missing 76-year-old hiker. 

Officials with the National Park Service say Bill Roberts was last seen on Wednesday after his family dropped him off in the Cottonwood/Trail Pass Trailhead in the Golden Trout Wilderness of Inyo National Forest. That location is just outside the park. Roberts planned to hike along the John Muir Trail to Bullfrog Lake in Sequoia but has yet to show up.

Roberts’ family says they were tracking his progress with a GPS device when they lost the signal near the Caltech Peak ridgeline in the National Park. Officials say, “It is not yet known if updates ceased because the tracker is turned off, because of a malfunction, loss of signal, etc.” Park rangers began their search in that area and did find foot tracks.

California received a record amount of snowfall this year, and parts of the park remain covered. This includes the area where Roberts went missing which has 40% snow cover. The late snow is also causing creek crossings to be unseasonably high and swift. These conditions, combined with recent stormy weather, are slowing search efforts.

Over the weekend, NPS sent three search teams, including a drone and helicopter, to the area.

Investigators say Roberts has some backpacking experience, but this is his first solo trip. 

Source: https://outdoors.com/park-rangers-search-for-missing-hiker-after-he-disappears-from-tracking-device/