The sister of a Kentucky man missing in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest joined the search efforts this weekend.
Pamela Dixon came up from Florida with her husband to search for her 39-year-old brother Glenn “Austin” Oldfield, who was last seen by two hunters on Sept. 19 near Lone Butte, about 31 miles north of Carson.
Oldfield told the hunters he was from Kentucky and was lost, but when they offered to show Oldfield the road, he turned and ran the other way, according to the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office.
Saturday was the fourth day of the search launched after his car and campsite were discovered last week.
“We’re just grateful to everyone who’s been doing this amazing work,” Dixon said. “They have an incredible challenge ahead of them.”
About 59 searchers, along with search dogs, combed the heavily forested area on Saturday, Dixon said. Some rappelled down into cracks and crevices. They focused on the area where his car and campsite were located.
Dixon said Oldfield came to Southwest Washington to camp for a couple of weeks and was considering moving here with his fianc?e. He had planned the trip about a year in advance. His fianc?e last heard from him via text message on Sept. 17, according to the sheriff’s office.
“He was looking at new beginnings,” Dixon said. She said her brother has camped before but was not experienced in more technical camping or being in the rugged wilderness.
