Weather challenges search for missing hikers

Winter weather challenged search crews out looking for two overdue hikers in the east side of Glacier National Park on Sunday.

The hikers, 32-year-old Neal Peckens from Virginia and 32-year-old Jason Hiser from Maryland, were reported missing last Friday after they missed a flight back to the East Coast and failed to return home.

A recently used fire ring and tracks were discovered in the search area Sunday and may be related to the missing hikers. Because of winter weather and snow-covered trails, it is probable the two men may have gone off trail, authorities said.

The fire ring and tracks were found in the Nyack Drainage on the west side of the Continental Divide, an area that includes dense, steep and treacherous terrain.

According to their backcountry permit, Peckens and Hiser planned to hike from the North Shore Trailhead at Two Medicine to the Oldman Backcountry Campground last Tuesday and then hike to Pitamakan Pass and along the Continental Divide to Dawson Pass and back to Two Medicine last Wednesday. The entire loop, as planned, is about 17 miles long.

Park rangers located the men’s vehicle late Friday and initiated an aerial and ground search for them Saturday.

Search efforts continued and were expanded Sunday, involving 50 personnel from Glacier National Park and Flathead County Search and Rescue.

Some personnel remained in the backcountry Sunday night.

Weather has been a serious challenge, with personnel encountering up to 18 inches of snow on trails and snow drifts. Aerial operations were limited Sunday because of low-visibility and extremely windy conditions.

“Some of the personnel are staying in and we will go back at it early Monday morning,” park spokeswoman Denise Germann said Sunday evening. “Weather-wise, tomorrow is predicted to be the same as today and probably a little worse.”

Peckens is described as six feet tall and about 180 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. Hiser is six feet tall and about 200 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. It is believed Peckens may have a red hooded rain jacket and Hiser may have a blue North Face beanie hat.

Anyone with helpful information is encouraged to call the park at 406-888-7805.