Crews have turned up no clues in connection with the disappearance of hiker in Glacier National Park.
Now, the search and rescue operation for Yi Jien Hwa, 27, will be significantly scaled back, until new information comes forward.
Each day during the search, between 30 and 60 searchers were shuttled in and out of remote areas by helicopter.
The searches included use of human-scent dog teams, horse-mounted patrols and aerial heat sensing equipment.
Over the weekend, searchers continued to scour locations adjacent to areas that were identified as most likely to have been hiked by Hwa.
No new clues turned up in those efforts, and during a Tuesday meeting, the search's managers decided to discontinue regular searches.
Meanwhile, fresh posters with Hwa's picture and description seeking information will be put up in campgrounds and visitor centers, at trailheads, and elsewhere in Glacier National Park this week.
Glacier National Park officials will meet on Tuesday to decide whether or not they'll keep looking for a missing Kentucky hiker who disappeared nearly three weeks ago.
Glacier's Pat Suddath says so far they've turned up few clues about the whereabouts of Yi-Jien Hwa.
Searchers did find an old sandal, a baseball hat and a safety clip from a can of bear spray, but no other current signs.
The search for Hwa started on August 19th after he left for a planned 100 mile hike on August 1st.
Suddath says the lack of success is frustrating because crews thought they narrowed the search area based on Hwa's planned trip, interviews with campground managers, and the fact that he didn't stopped at his car to get supplies for the second half of his trip.
Suddath adds that a family emergency prevented Hwa's wife from going on the hike as planned.
(from August 31, 2008)
The search for a missing hiker in Glacier National Park will continue at least until Tuesday.
So far, the search for a Kentucky hiker has unturned an old sandal, a baseball hat and a safety clip from a can of bear spray, but searchers believe none of this belongs to Yi-Jien Hwa.
Pat Suddath says there has been no sign of Hwa, 27, who left for a planned 100 mile hike on Aug. 11th.
Suddath says the lack of success has been frustrating because crews believed they had narrowed the search area based on Hwa's planned trip, interviews with campground managers and the fact that he hadn't stopped at his car to get supplies for the second half of his trip.
Suddath adds a family emergency prevented Hwa's wife from going on the hike as planned.
He says the officials will meet Tuesday to determine if the search will continue.
(from August 28, 2008)
The search for a missing hiker in Glacier National Park will continue for at least a week.
A park ranger says crews scaled back the search on Tuesday after they didn't find any clues surrounding Yi Jien Hwa's disappearance.
Hwa, who's from Kentucky, has been missing since August 18th, the day he was expected to return from his hiking trip.
The search for is expected to continue until a September 2nd planning meeting.
(from August 26, 2008)
The search for a hiker missing in the backcountry of Glacier National Park since last week will be scaled back.
Officials with the National Park Service say that searchers have not turned up any new clues about the fate of Yi-Jien Hwa, 27.
Reports of his disappearance surfaced on August 18th, which was he last day of a planned 100 mile hike.
A team of hikers and mountaineers looked for Hwa in some of the region's most difficult terrain.
Now, search managers say they will reduce the effort in the absence of developments.
A park spokeswoman says the active search for the hiker will be stopped in a couple of days if searchers find no new information.
(from August 24, 2008)
Monday marks day six of the search for a hiker who's missing in Glacier National Park,and 50 searchers are ready to set out just after daybreak to look for Yi-Jien Hwa.
He was last seen on August 11th, and planned to finish his back country hike through Glacier on August 18th. His car was found in the Logan Pass Visitors Center parking lot.
Two helicopters spent Sunday searching for Hwa in the air as hikers and mountaineers headed through valleys, ridges, cliffs, forests and even scale glaciers in the Floral Park area.
Search and rescue officials say that no new information regarding Hwa's whereabouts has emerged,and anyone with information about the disappearance is asked to call Glacier National Park at (406) 888-7801.
(from August 23, 2008)
Sunday marked day five in the search for a hiker who's been missing in Glacier National Park.
Around 50 searchers set out shortly after daybreak this morning too look for Yi-Jien Hwa, who was last seen on August 11th, and planned to finish his back country hike through Glacier on August 18th. His car was found in the Logan Pass Visitors Center parking lot.
Sunday, there were two helicopters in the air, and the search teams included hikers and mountaineers going through valleys, ridges, cliffs, forests and even scale glaciers in the Floral Park area where Hwa planned to start.
Most of the teams are flown out of the backcountry at nightfall, but one crew is remaining overnight to continue searching in more remote areas.
Search and rescue officials say there's no new information regarding Hwa's whereabouts and anyone with information about the disappearance is asked to call Glacier National Park at (406)888-7801.
(from August 23, 2008)
Saturday marked day four in the search for a hiker missing in Glacier National Park.
Searchers are now covering the ground and air looking Yi-Jien Hwa, 27, who was last seen August 11th.
Hwa planned to finish his 100 mile hike at Kintla Lake on August 18th, and his car has been found in the Logan Pass Visitors Center Parking lot.
Saturday's search increased in size and manpower, with 60 searchers and two helicopters taking part in the efforts.
The team includes hikers and mountaineers who will hike valleys, ridges, cliffs, and forests and scale glaciers in the Floral Park area, where Mr. Hwa planned to begin his trek.
The area is south of Logan Pass and west of the Continental Divide and weather conditions prevented a close search of the area earlier this week.
Searchers are scouring difficult terrain and say it's challenging even for the most experienced mountaineers. Crews were also cautioned about freshly fallen snow on Saturday as well as deceptive ice and snow bridges and treacherous footing on wet rocks.
Anyone with information on Yi-Jien Hwa's whereabouts is asked to call Glacier National Park at (406) 888-7801.
(from August 22, 2008)
The search for a backpacker who's gone missing in Glacier National Park is set to intensify in the next days.
The family of Yi-Jien Hwa, 27, says they have not heard from their son in 10 days, and add they're concerned for his safety.
Park officials say the last time anyone saw the man from Kentucky and Malaysia was at the St. Mary Visitor Center on August 11th, the first day of his planned hike that was supposed to end on August 18th at Kintla Lake.
His car later turned up in the Logan Pass Visitor Center parking lot and search teams with the park and US Border Patrol began searching on Thursday morning, but poor weather prevented aerial searches.
Hwa is described as being 6'1" tall and weighing about 170 pounds. It's believed he hiked alone, carrying a blue Kelty backpack and trekking poles, along with other equipment. He also may be wearing dark-colored clothing of blue, black, or green.
Glacier National Park officials are asking anyone with information about Hwa to contact them at (406) 888-7801.
