Search expanded for missing snowshoer on Mount Rainier
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, Wash. - Crews are expanding a search for a missing snowshoer who failed to return from a day outing in in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park on Saturday amid severe weather conditions.
Yong Chun Kim, 66, was leading a snowshoe walk for a hiking group from Tacoma when he slipped down a steep slope, said Lee Taylor of Mount Rainier National Park.
Kim was unable to climb back to the group and told them he would go around and meet them.
"He is carrying a radio and last spoke to his companions yesterday at 2:30, saying he was OK and on his way out," Taylor said.
His hiking companions returned to Paradise, but when Kim had not returned by 3 p.m., park rangers initiated a hasty search, which continued until 9 p.m.
The effort was resumed Sunday morning with about 25 searchers, then expanded to about 50 searchers by Sunday afternoon. Three teams with German shepherd search dogs also joined the effort.
Kim has been snowshoeing for 10 years, is a good hiker, and was well equipped for a day of snowshoeing, Taylor said. But he was not carrying overnight gear, and the weather conditions at Paradise were harsh overnight, with blizzard conditions, temperatures in the teens, and strong winds gusting 30 to 50 mph.
If the search continues into a third day, the road from Longmire to Paradise will remain closed on Monday. The search area includes much of the trail system above Paradise and the presence of park visitors in this area could interfere with the search effort, Taylor said.
In addition, opening the park for snow play and other activities would diminish the number of staff available to assist with the search, which is the park’s highest priority at this time.
"Time is of the essence in a search like this, and we want to focus everything we’ve got on finding Yong Chun Kim," said Park Superintendent Randy King.
Yong Chun Kim, 66, was leading a snowshoe walk for a hiking group from Tacoma when he slipped down a steep slope, said Lee Taylor of Mount Rainier National Park.
Kim was unable to climb back to the group and told them he would go around and meet them.
"He is carrying a radio and last spoke to his companions yesterday at 2:30, saying he was OK and on his way out," Taylor said.
His hiking companions returned to Paradise, but when Kim had not returned by 3 p.m., park rangers initiated a hasty search, which continued until 9 p.m.
The effort was resumed Sunday morning with about 25 searchers, then expanded to about 50 searchers by Sunday afternoon. Three teams with German shepherd search dogs also joined the effort.
Kim has been snowshoeing for 10 years, is a good hiker, and was well equipped for a day of snowshoeing, Taylor said. But he was not carrying overnight gear, and the weather conditions at Paradise were harsh overnight, with blizzard conditions, temperatures in the teens, and strong winds gusting 30 to 50 mph.
If the search continues into a third day, the road from Longmire to Paradise will remain closed on Monday. The search area includes much of the trail system above Paradise and the presence of park visitors in this area could interfere with the search effort, Taylor said.
In addition, opening the park for snow play and other activities would diminish the number of staff available to assist with the search, which is the park’s highest priority at this time.
"Time is of the essence in a search like this, and we want to focus everything we’ve got on finding Yong Chun Kim," said Park Superintendent Randy King.
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