Summit County Citizens Voice

Cutbank Valley in Glacier National Park. Photo courtesy National Park Service.

Wintry weather hampers rescue crews

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Winter-like weather in the northern Rockies has hampered the search for two missing hikers in Glacier National Park. The two men, 32-year-old Neal Peckens from Virginia and 32-year-old Jason Hiser from Maryland, were reported missing Oct. 12 when they missed their flight home.

National Park Service rangers believe the men  departed from the North Shore Trailhead at Two Medicine on Tuesday, October 9. According to their backcountry permit, the men planned to camp at the Oldman Backcountry Campground on Tuesday night and return to Two Medicine on Wednesday, October 10.

Park rangers located the men’s vehicle late Friday, and initiated a search early Saturday morning. An aerial search was conducted and six teams of search personnel hiked the area trails and conducted interviews with park visitors in the area. Weather was challenging for search personnel with windy conditions, low visibility, and rain and snow throughout the day. Additional search personnel from other organizations will be assisting on Sunday.

Peckens is six feet tall and approximately 180 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. Hiser is six feet tall and approximately 200 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. It is unknown what clothing the men are wearing and what equipment they have with them.

Anyone that may have any information or may have been in the area and seen individuals that may meet the descriptions are encouraged to contact the park at 888-7805.

Filed under: climate and weather, national parks, public lands, Travel Tagged: | Glacier National Park, Jason Hiser, missing hikers, Montana, National Park Service, Neal Peckens, search and rescue