OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Seven days of searching for 35-year-old Laura Macke has led to no sign of her having been found, but efforts will continue.
“We have nothing new to report at this time,” said Meagan Huff, acting public affairs specialist for Olympic National Park on Tuesday afternoon.
“Unfortunately, we have not located her, but there’s no plans to suspend the search.”
Park officials want to talk with the person who left an anonymous tip on Nov. 3, she said.
Macke, who was visiting from Vermont, was reported missing Nov. 2 after she didn’t return by Nov. 1 as she had told her family. Her park permit was good until Oct. 31.
Macke’s family has set up a Facebook page, Laura Macke Search & Rescue (SAR), to keep people updated on the search.
Laura’s sister Jennifer posted that her phone is being sent a military grade SOS ping every day that doesn’t require cell service but does require that the phone has battery power and is turned on. No hits have been received.
The SOS signal is working because it was sent to a family member who was able to touch the screen and send the information back. The ping is designed so that she only has to interact with the screen that pops up. Then GPS coordinates can be gathered within a 35-foot accuracy.
More than a dozen agencies — including Jefferson and Clallam County search and rescue teams — are searching for Macke in the Enchanted Valley area of the park, near Lake Quinault.
The search effort has included numerous searchers on the ground, including some who stayed in the park overnight, several dog teams (K-9), drones with infrared capability, helicopters and even a boat. The search area includes the trail to Enchanted Valley as well as beyond and off-trail areas.
The area has experienced rain and snow during the past several days, which has hampered search efforts, especially for drones and helicopters. Temperatures are near freezing at Lake Quinault and below freezing in the search area.
Officials are asking the public for any information. Anyone in the area of Lake Quinault, Graves Creek or Enchanted Valley between Oct. 30 and Nov. 1 is asked to call or text the tip line at 1-888-653-0009, submit a tip online at go.nps.gov/Submit ATip, or email nps_isb@nps.gov.
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Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at Brian.Gawley@ sound publishing.com
