OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — The search for a missing hiker has been scaled back to a limited, continuous mode.
The Olympic National Park service announced the change Monday after more than 2,000 hours of search time for Duane Miles, 78, of Beaver.
Crews with a total of more than 30 personnel from at least nine different search and rescue teams have searched for Miles, who was last seen Oct. 19 at the Graves Creek campground.
On Sunday, searchers found a relatively new opened package of sardines they believed belonged to Miles.
Crews searched the area Monday but did not find any further clues to his whereabouts. However, park personnel will continue to search the area and respond to any new information that may come until he’s located.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of Mr. Miles in this difficult time,” said Lee Taylor, deputy superintendent for Olympic National Park, in a press release Monday.
Miles is an experienced hiker whom friends said was familiar with the area. He would often go off-trail to look for shed elk antlers. Friends park staff that Miles intended to hike off-trail to the south of the campground and exit near the Graves Creek Coral.
Miles is described as 5-foot-9, 180 pounds with blue eyes, and he was last seen wearing black rain pants, a camouflage jacket and a dark-colored backpack.
The park is continuing to seek any information on Miles’ whereabouts and encourages people to submit any tips at 888-653-0009 or by email at nps_jsb@pps.gov.
