GREAT FALLS – The search for a missing hiker in Glacier National Park will continue for at least a week, a park ranger said Tuesday.
Yi-Jien Hwa, 27, of Louisville, Ky., was reported missing Aug. 18 — the last day of a planned 100-mile hike.
Park Ranger Megan Chaisson said the search was scaled back Tuesday after crews didn’t find any clues to Hwa’s whereabouts during searches from Saturday through Monday.
Future searches, which still will include airplanes, are expected to continue until a Sept. 2 planning meeting, Chaisson said.
Hwa’s family told park officials that Hwa didn’t contact them as agreed on the last day of his hike. His wife arrived at the park Saturday and his mother arrived Monday, Chaisson said.
The ranger said officials believe Hwa is in the Sperry Glacier or Floral Park areas, where his hike was to begin. She added that crews also will search other areas along on his planned route.
“All areas within reason will be hit again,” she said.