WEST GLACIER, MT. - No substantial clues or evidence was discovered Wednesday to help locate missing alpine hiker Jacob "Jake" Rigby. Search crews continued with aerial and ground efforts as cooler weather, moisture and increased winds developed in the area by mid-afternoon.
Seventeen search crew members are staying overnight in the primary search area, and are prepared to spend another night in the backcountry. Other crew members returned to park headquarters and will be ready for Thursday morning assignments for additional search efforts.
A team of search crew members reached the trail register atop an unnamed mountain, locally known as "8888," located between the Ole Creek and Park Creek Drainages and between Brave Dog Mountain and Mount Despair. The mountain's elevation is 8,888 feet, thus the local name for the rugged and steep mountain. The tattered, faded and weather-beaten register revealed no signatures. Search managers believe that the lack of a signature is not considered clear evidence for Rigby's presence or absence from the area.
The search effort will continue Thursday. Flathead Valley Search and Rescue and Flathead National Forest are assisting with the effort.
Posters with Rigby's photo and key information have been posted in the park and other locations.
The park will continue to provide updated media releases as new information is available.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
