ELLENSBURG, Wash. (AP) — Kittitas County search officials are hoping for better weather after teams looking for a missing hiker were called back Monday evening when waist-deep snow and high winds created whiteout conditions.
Sheriff’s deputies say additional winter rescue teams will be brought in to help in the search for 50-year-old Natalya Manko of Tacoma. She was reported lost after going on a day hike Saturday in the Ingalls Lake area.
After finding Manko’s vehicle at a trailhead parking lot, search teams set up an operating base south of Mount Stuart near the Kittitas and Chelan county line.
She is reported to be an experienced hiker in excellent physical condition. But the sheriff’s office says she didn’t bring overnight camping equipment. Saturday afternoon’s weather in the area brought dropping temperatures, rain and snow — conditions that have continued.
