OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Searchers had found no sign Saturday afternoon of a lone hiker who was two days overdue from a six-day, 39-mile hike in the northeast corner of Olympic National Park.
Kelly Hall, 64, of Bainbridge Island is described as 6-feet-5-inches tall, weighing 220 pounds, with hazel eyes and mostly grey hair.
He had a blue backpack with a fishing pole and orange flip flops strapped to the outside of it and was wearing a blue jacket and a blue “Mountain Hardware” stocking cap.
He was believed to be using a blue-gray tent.
Hall began his hike on Saturday, Aug. 30, setting out from the Obstruction Point Trailhead near Hurricane Ridge, said Barb Maynes, park spokeswoman.
Family members expected to pick him up at the National Forest Service Slab Camp Trailhead near Sequim on Thursday afternoon, Maynes said.
His sister reported him overdue Thursday evening.
His planned itinerary was to hike through Grand Valley to Grand Pass, then continue over Cameron Pass, through Dose Meadows to Gray Wolf Pass and follow the Gray Wolf Trail into the Olympic National Forest Buckhorn Wilderness, Maynes said.
Seven National Park Service employees are walking trails and searching areas along Hall’s intended route, she said Saturday, while Clallam County Search and Rescue teams traced his route in Olympic National Forest.
Three volunteer members of Olympic Mountain Rescue also joined the search Saturday afternoon.
Hall, who is single with no children, was an experienced hiker, although he had not had recent experience, Maynes said.
Anyone who has seen Hall is asked to phone the park at 360-565-3120.
“Information from other hikers is often extremely valuable during searches,” said park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum.
