[pct-l] PCT Hiker Missing in S. Washington

[CHUCK CHELIN]

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/03/search_resumes_for_missing_hik.html
Search resumes for missing Pacific Crest Trail hiker By Noelle Crombie, The
Oregonian <http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/ncrombie/index.html> March 09,
2010, 1:05PM

Skamania County Sheriff officials are using the dog today in hopes of
finding the missing hiker. The search for a Portland State University
student who went missing last week during a hike on the Pacific Crest Trail
via the Table Mountain Trail continues today.

Detectives with the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office joined the effort to
follow up on tips, including a report from another female hiker who said she
encountered a man who flashed her on the trail last Thursday.

“We weren’t ever able to confirm the story but we don’t believe it is
connected with (Kathrine Huether) being missing but we would be remiss if we
blew it off,” said Undersheriff Dave Cox.   Cox this morning stressed that
authorities do not think Kathrine Huether’s disappearance is suspicious.

“We really feel what happened is she ran out of daylight and for some reason
got off the trail,” Cox said.

He said about 30 searchers headed out about 7:15 a.m., compared with 50
searchers on Monday. Cox said he’s put out a call for search dog teams as
well.  Cox said two helicopters -- one from the U.S. Coast Guard, and one
from the Army National Guard in Washington -- joined the search at around
10:30 a.m. this morning.


He said he remains optimistic about finding Huether. He said temperatures
dipped below freezing and snow levels dropped to 800 feet. But she said if
she has her backpack and supplies, he thinks she can hold on.

“We are hoping she does (have her backpack) and she is able to stay warm and
able to survive,” Cox said.

 -- Noelle Crombie