May 22, 2013

Save Email Print Bookmark and Share
A A
Reporter: ap Email

East Coast hikers missing in Glacier National Park

Red Mountain Pass (Credit: Nancy Dement)

KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) -- Rescue teams at Glacier National Park are searching in wintery conditions and rugged terrain for two East Coast hikers reported missing by family members.

Park officials say 50 searchers are looking for 32-year-old Neal Peckens of Virginia and 32-year-old Jason Hiser of Maryland.

Park spokeswoman Denise Germann says weather is the biggest challenge facing searchers, who have found 18 inches of snow on the trail at higher elevations and five-foot drifts in some areas.

The two were reported missing Friday after failing to catch a flight home from Montana. Their vehicle was found late Friday, and the search started Saturday.

Germann says it's not clear if they were prepared for cold weather, or if they have much experience in the backcountry. Searchers believe the two were hiking and not mountain climbing.


Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
powered by Disqus

WTVY.com Features

Get the ingredients you need to cook with Rach all week long.
Full length exclusive concerts from hot artists.
Take a break!
Classic Pacman, Frogger, Asteroids and more.
FREE Listings
Sell almost anything locally.