Body of Missing Hiker Found in Olympic National Park After Cellphone Data Aids Search
Neil Gehring, 26, was recovered on the northwest slope of Mount Appleton nearly two weeks after he began a backcountry trek.
The body of a missing hiker in Washington state's Olympic National Park was recovered on Sept. 13, nearly two weeks after he embarked on a backcountry trek, officials said.
Searchers located Neil Gehring, 26, on the northwest slope of Mount Appleton after analyzing crucial cellphone location data, according to the National Park Service. Gehring’s body was taken to the Clallam County Coroner’s Office.
Gehring departed Olympic National Park's Madison Falls Trailhead on Aug. 31 for what was planned as an overnight trip. His permit indicated a cross-country route from Boulder Lake to Appleton Pass, with an expected return to the trailhead on Sept. 1.
He was reported overdue at 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 2, prompting an immediate search. For the following 10 days, search teams scoured his intended route from the air and ground, employing drones and dogs. By Sept. 11, the park announced a shift in tactics, focusing on finding new clues after initial searches failed to locate Gehring. Investigators also appealed to the public for any information regarding his whereabouts.
Two days later, the additional cellphone data led searchers to Gehring. Officials have not released details regarding the cellphone data or the circumstances surrounding Gehring's death. The National Park Service expressed gratitude to the volunteer search-and-rescue teams who assisted in the effort.