missing Grand Teton hiker

Search resumes for missing Grand Teton hiker

National Park Service officials have resumed a search for a missing Grand Teton hiker, 27-year-old Cian McLaughlin, based on new information from a local climbing guide.

McLaughlin has been missing for nine days after embarking on a solo hike. The missing Grand Teton hiker was last seen by a friend around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8, approximately a half mile from the Lupine Meadows Trailhead, hiking to an unknown destination.

The search is now focused on the Garnet Canyon area, after a local guide reported seeing some fitting McLaughlin’s description on the Garnet Canyon Trail, a short distance above the Garnet Canyon/Surprise Lake junction

As a result, today park staff extensively searched the Garnet Canyon area. Operations included over 60 park staff conducting ground search efforts. Teams were flown into the Garnet Canyon area this morning by the Teton Interagency Helicopter. Efforts included five search and rescue dog teams and members of Teton County Search and Rescue. Search operations will continue tomorrow.

McLaughlin is described as a solo hiker with shoulder-length hair and wearing round glasses, a white shirt, shorts, and a hat. The guide also reported the man as having tattoos on his arms and carrying a bottle of water.

Anyone with information regarding McLaughlin’s whereabouts is asked to contact the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch at 888.653.0009, at the NPS Website or via email.

Hikers do go missing almost every summer in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park. One issue with this case is that McLaughlin did not share with anyone his plans.

Image courtesy National Park Service.

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