The Mason County Sheriff’s Office has suspended its search for a 20-year-old hiker missing in Olympic National Park for the past week. Zach Krull had been hiking alone near Lake Cushman when he was reported overdue April 10.
The Kitsap Sun reports that search teams were hindered by bad weather and severe avalanche danger. Sheriff’s Lt. Jason Dracobly says a helicopter crew on Friday did see a set of footprints that vanished near a slide, but they couldn’t confirm it was Krull’s. Searchers also found Krull’s tent and some of his belongings in the Staircase campground.
Krull was a new transfer to The Evergreen State College in Olympia. His family told the sheriff’s office he was well-equipped but did not have an avalanche beacon.