UPDATE: The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office says that search and rescue crews located the body of Peter Kalapaca on Friday, Sept. 18. He was found in steep terrain by a helicopter and was recovered in the evening. Sauk Mountain Road and the Sauk Mountain Trail have since reopened.
SKAGIT COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A Skagit County trail has temporarily closed as efforts are underway to locate an overdue hiker.
The sheriff’s office says that 78-year-old Peter Kalapaca was reported missing Thursday, Sept. 17 after setting out for a hike on the Sauk Mountain Trail.
He was last seen near the top of the trail wearing a yellow shirt and hat. Kalapaca is described as a white male, 5’9″ tall with gray hair.
The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office says that he had limited food and water and was not prepared for overnight conditions.
The U.S. Forest Service gave the sheriff’s office permission to shut down the trail earlier Friday.
U.S. Border Patrol and the National Parks Service are assisting in the search and rescue operation.
