Body of Missing Hiker Found in Northwest Yellowstone

Searchers this morning discovered the body of a young man who went on a solo hike to a mountain peak in the northwestern part of Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday, and failed to return.

The last contact with 23-year old Joseph Austin Parker was a cell phone call he made to friends about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Parker told his friends he was below the summit of Electric Peak, and because of nearby lightning, he was starting to descend the mountain.

Parker was reported missing by a friend about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and a search was initiated by the National Park Service.

An aerial search by both airplane and helicopter and ground search by teams in 4-wheel drive vehicles, on horseback, and on foot did not turn up any clues to Parker’s whereabouts Wednesday.

Parker’s body was discovered below the summit of Electric Peak shortly after the search resumed Thursday morning. The cause of death is under investigation.

Originally from Valdosta, Georgia, Parker was working at a local Gardiner, Montana business.

Electric Peak is a nearly 11,000 foot mountain in the Gallatin Range, located west of Gardiner, Montana in the northwest portion of Yellowstone National Park.

The National Park Service worked closely with a variety of agencies and landowners including the Park County, Montana Sheriff’s Office in conducting the search.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com

Additional Tracks Found in Missing Hiker Search

Additional clues were found Friday evening in the continued search for missing hiker, Jakson Kreiser. Partial boot tracks similar to the boots believed to be worn by Kreiser were found in the Floral Park area by trained human trackers assisting with the search. These tracks are believed to be different from those found on July 31.

Incident Commander Scott Emmerich said, "We're adjusting our resources based on the location of clues found." He said search efforts will continue today with ground and aerial operations focused on the Floral Park and Avalanche Basin areas. Several members of the search team spent last night in the backcountry and are prepared to do so again.

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

The search area has been 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, water falls, wet and slippery rocks and boulders, and dense vegetation.

Kreiser is from Michigan. This is his first year working in the area. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall with black, short and curly hair, and a black beard. It is believed he is wearing a yellow/gold sweatshirt and grey colored khaki pants, and carrying a grey and yellow backpack.

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

On Thursday 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 in the Floral Park area, is located towards the lower right hand corner of the map (the red lines on the map indicate designated trails).

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

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

Limited Clues Identified in Missing Hiker Search

Limited clues were identified yesterday in the continuing search for missing hiker Jakson Kreiser. Partial boot tracks were found that are very similar to the boots believed to be worn by Kreiser and information was received by a hiker who was in the area over the weekend.

One of the twelve search teams that included certified trackers with the North Valley Search and Rescue Team and a Glacier National Park employee identified partial tracks that match the sole pattern of boots believed to be worn by Kreiser. The tracks were located near Mary Baker Lake in the Floral Park area. This area was previously identified and has been part of the search area. Search efforts will continue in this area.

The park received a call from a hiker who was on the Hidden Lake Trail on Saturday, July 28. The hiker provided credible information, combined with other information gathered, that helps establish timing and location of Kreiser on Saturday morning.

Incident Commander Scott Emmerich said, "The clues identified yesterday are valuable in helping narrow our focus for the search efforts, and they help to identify the areas of highest probability of finding Mr. Kreiser." Emmerich said that the park and the many partners in the search incident are committed to do all they can to find Kreiser.

Several volunteers of North Valley Search and Rescue assisting with the search operation are trained and certified trackers. They assist in looking for tracks and evidence that may help in an investigation or search incident. The US Border Patrol also has trained trackers, as well as specialized canine search teams, assisting with the incident. Other members of local search and rescue teams of the Flathead County Sheriff's Office are supporting the incident as well.

Search efforts will continue in Glacier National Park for the missing 19-year old hiker. Ground and aerial searches have been conducted since Sunday, July 29, with several crews staying overnight in the backcountry.

The park is using forward looking infrared technology (FLIR). This technology, available through the Flathead County Sheriff's Office, uses thermal imaging cameras that detect heat sources. It is being used in early morning operations before the rocks and vegetation warm.

The search area is focused in the area between Hidden Lake and Avalanche Lake. Kreiser's vehicle was located in the Logan Pass Visitor Center Parking Lot and it is believed that Kreiser was attempting a day hike from Logan Pass to Avalanche Lake. His intended route is in some treacherous country filled with rock cliffs, water falls, wet and slippery rocks and boulders, and dense vegetation. The descent is more than 4,000 feet in steep conditions.

Kreiser was reported missing when he failed to return following a day hike on Saturday, July 28. He is a seasonal employee with Glacier Park, Inc. at Lake McDonald Lodge. A park incident management team has been organized and is managing the incident. Approximately 50 people are dedicated to the incident.

Kreiser is from Michigan. This is his first year working in the area. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall with black, short and curly hair, and a black beard. It is believed he is wearing a yellow sweatshirt and grey colored khaki pants, and carrying a grey and yellow backpack.

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
Hikes in Glacier National Park

Search Continues for Missing Hiker

A search operation continues in Glacier National Park for missing hiker, 19-year old Jakson Kreiser. Ground and aerial searches were conducted yesterday, with several crews staying overnight in the backcountry. Crews returned to the search area early today, and aerial observations continue.

The park is using forward looking infrared technology (FLIR). This technology, available through the Flathead County Sheriff's Office, uses thermal imaging cameras that detect heat sources. It is being used in early morning operations before the rocks and vegetation warm. Canine search teams from the US Border Patrol are also being utilized, as well as human tracker expertise from North Valley Search and Rescue Team.

The search area is focused in the area between Hidden Lake and Avalanche Lake. Kreiser's vehicle was located in the Logan Pass Visitor Center Parking Lot and it is believed that Kreiser was attempting a day hike from Logan Pass to Avalanche Lake. His intended route is in some treacherous country filled with rock cliffs, water falls, wet and slippery rocks and boulders, and dense vegetation. The descent is more than 4,000 feet in steep conditions.

Kreiser was reported missing when he failed to return following a day hike on Saturday, July 28. He is a seasonal employee with Glacier Park, Inc. at Lake McDonald Lodge. Ground and aerial searches were initiated on Sunday, July 29. A park incident management team has been organized and is managing the incident. Approximately 50 people are dedicated to the incident.

Kreiser is from Michigan. This is his first year working in the area. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall with black, short and curly hair, and a black beard. It is believed he is wearing a yellow sweatshirt and grey colored khaki pants, and carrying a grey and yellow backpack.

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
Hikes in Glacier National Park

Photo Published of Missing Hiker in Glacier

Glacier Park officials published this photo of the missing hiker on their Facebook page this afternoon:

Here are a few more details of seasonal employee, Jakson Kreiser:

Ground and aerial search efforts continue for missing hiker. Jakson Jeffrey-Cole Kreiser is 19 years old, 6’2” tall with medium build believed to be wearing a plain yellow/gold Columbia cotton sweatshirt, long khaki pants, and Rocky brand hiking boots size 12. He may be carrying camouflage winter gloves, grey/yellow daypack, large knife in a sheath, and possibly a hiking pole. He was last seen at 6AM on Saturday, July 28 leaving Lake McDonald Lodge for a day hike from Logan Pass through the Floral Park and Avalanche Basin areas, ending at Avalanche Lake. If you are or were hiking in these areas and have information, please call 406-888-7800 option 6.


Jeff
Glacier National Park Hiking

Search Underway for Missing Hiker in Glacier

A search operation is underway in Glacier National Park for a 19-year male hiker that failed to return following a day hike on Saturday, July 28.

Late Saturday night dispatch received a call informing them that Jakson Kreiser, a seasonal employee with Glacier Park, Inc. at Lake McDonald Lodge, was overdue from a personal day hike in the park.

Park rangers investigated the situation and found Kreiser's vehicle at the Logan Pass Visitor Center Parking Lot. It is believed that Kreiser was planning a day hike from Logan Pass to the Avalanche Lake area. Ground and aerial search efforts were conducted Sunday and continue today. The Flathead County Sheriff's Department Mountain Rescue Team and the US Border Patrol are assisting in the efforts.

A park incident management team has been organized and is managing the incident. Approximately 50 people are dedicated to the incident.

Kreiser is from Michigan. This is his first year working in the area. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall with black, short and curly hair, and a black beard. It is believed he is wearing a yellow sweatshirt and khaki pants, and carrying a grey and yellow backpack.

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 Hiking

Analysis Confirms 2008 Missing Hiker’s Remains

Bone fragments found in Glacier National Park last summer have been analyzed by the National Missing Person's Program at the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification and have been identified as those of Yi-Jien Hwa, a hiker missing in the park since the summer of 2008.

The analysis positively matched the bone fragments to Hwa, and several pieces of evidence were found that closely match the items identified in Hwa's equipment list. The park has contacted Hwa's family and closed the investigation.

The search effort began August 21, 2008 after receiving word from Hwa's family that he was three days overdue from a lengthy and arduous planned hike in the park's backcountry. After more than 2,500 hours of searching in difficult terrain and challenging conditions, the intensive effort was scaled back in early September of 2008. Since then, park rangers have continued to respond to new leads and analyze new information related to the investigation, including a report of suspected evidence found last summer.

In July of 2011, a hiker found a portion of two items of clothing matching the description of Hwa's clothing in an area below the steep cliffs above Avalanche Lake. This area was determined to be in the area of Hwa's intended travel route. Rangers returned to the site for further investigation and found additional evidence, including bone fragments.

Glacier National Park Rangers have extended sympathy to the family, and appreciation to the Flathead County Sheriff's Department and Search and Rescue Team, and the many individuals and organizations that assisted with the investigation.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com