PORT ANGELES — Searchers found no sign on Thursday of a 78-year-old man who has been missing in Olympic National Park since Oct. 20.
It had been six days since Duane Miles of Beaver was reported overdue to the park. A quick search was done near his car, which was parked at the Graves Creek Campground, right after the report at 8:15 p.m. Saturday. Since then the search has grown to include more people, dogs and U.S., Coast Guard aircraft.
More than 30 people combed the Lake Quinault area of the park for Duane Miles of Beaver on Thursday without finding any clues, said Lee Taylor, park spokes person.
“We’re going to go hard at it tomorrow and on Saturday if necessary,” Taylor said Thursday afternoon. “The weather is supposed to be better tomorrow.”
The search area has dense vegetation, she said. Searchers are returning to areas already covered to see if there are signs they missed, and also are expanding the area they are scrutinizing, Taylor said.
No dogs were out on Thursday because of chilly, wet conditions which would impede their ability to track but they are expected to be in use today.
Thursday’s search included National Park Service staff as well as searchers from Olympic Mountain Rescue, Washington Explorer Search and Rescue Kitsap Unit, Snohomish County Trackers and Olympic Corrections Center trackers.
The Washington State Search and Rescue Planning Unit has been providing assistance developing search strategy, Taylor said.
The Soup Ladies, a volunteer group that feeds first responders, is providing food for searchers, she added, while Verizon is supporting communication systems.
Miles is a fit and skilled hiker who often travels alone off-trail looking for shed elk antlers, Taylor said.
He was last seen on Oct. 19 at the Graves Creek trailhead wearing black rain pants and a camouflage jacket. He was known to carry a dark-colored backpack.
Miles is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighs 185 pounds and has blue eyes.
Anyone who has visited the Graves Creek area since Oct. 19 or who has any information regarding Miles’ whereabouts is asked to call 888-653-0009.
