Thursday, August 2, 2012

Update on Missing Hiker

Crews continue to search for missing hiker Jakson Kreiser in Glacier National Park. An additional boot track matching the sole of Kreiser's boots was found yesterday near Mary Baker Lake in the Floral Park area.

The search for Kreiser, a seasonal employee with Glacier Park, Inc. at Lake McDonald Lodge, began Sunday, July 29th. Kreiser was reported missing when he failed to return following a hike on Saturday, July 28th.

The search area is focused in the area between Hidden Lake and Avalanche Lake, specifically in the Floral Park area. This area includes some treacherous country filled with rock cliffs, waterfalls, wet and slippery rocks and boulders, and dense vegetation.

This afternoon the park published a map of the area that rescuers are searching:

The map provides an idea of the rugged terrain where search operations are being conducted. Officials believe his intended route was from Logan Pass to Avalanche Lake. The boot tracks believed to be Kreiser’s, found near Mary Baker Lake, is located towards the lower right hand corner of the map (the red lines on the map indicate designated trails).

To get an idea of the ruggedness of the terrain from a ground viewpoint, here is a photo of Avalanche Lake looking towards Monument Falls and the Floral Park area (towards the upper left in this photo):

A park incident management team has been organized and is managing the incident. North Valley Search and Rescue, Flathead Search and Rescue, Flathead County Sheriff's Office and the US Border Patrol are assisting the National Park Service with search operations.

Anyone that may have been in the Logan Pass, Hidden Lake, Floral Park or Avalanche Lake areas over the weekend and may have seen Kreiser, is encouraged to contact park dispatch at 406-888-7800.


Jeff
Glacier National Park Trails

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