OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — A search is in progress for a solo hiker who is overdue from a planned day hike, the park announced today.
David Snidder, 55, of Union hasn’t been seen since Monday, said Rainey McKenna, Olympic National Park spokeswoman.
About 16 people are searching today between Irely Lake and Reflection Lake, a steep and rugged area of the Quinault portion of the park, after searchers found tracks on Thursday, McKenna said.
Snidder’s vehicle was found Wednesday at the North Fork Campground, where he had apparently stayed Sunday night.
He had planned to hike along the Irely Lake Loop Trail, and was last seen at the North Fork Campground at about 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. Monday, before he set off on his hike, McKenna said.
“He was expected back at work on Wednesday,” she said.
“From the evidence we have, it looks like he was just planning to do a day hike,” she said.
“However, because he wasn’t expected to be back until Wednesday, he may have been planning to stay overnight.”
Today’s search team includes eight technical rescue team members from Olympic Mountain Rescue, along with a German Shepherd search dog with its handler from Pierce County and a helicopter from Northwest Helicopter out of Olympia.
If he is not found today, then a helicopter from Kings County will fly over the densely forested area with a infrared camera to attempt to pick up the heat from the hiker’s body, she said.
Snidder — described as a capable hiker with previous experience in mountainous and snowy terrain — was reported overdue on Wednesday morning to the Olympic National Forest, which alerted park dispatchers.
Park personnel made contact with the family at 10:50 a.m., that day, McKenna said.
An initial “hasty” search by staff members on hand when the call came in was done Wednesday afternoon, but searchers found no sign of him.
On Thursday, eight ground searchers from Olympic National Park continued looking, aided by a helicopter.
Snidder is believed to be traveling with a daypack and basic essentials.
