P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
www.nps.gov/yose/news

209 372-0529 phone
209 372-0371 fax

August 20, 2004
For Immediate Release

Searchers Seek Information About Overdue Hiker In Yosemite National Park

An interagency search effort is underway in Yosemite National Park. Rangers and search and rescue teams are searching for a hiker who began a backpacking trip in Yosemite National Park.

Michael B. Virga, or Michael Treut-Virga, a 57 year-old woman from Bakersfield, CA started a hike of the John Muir Trail (JMT) in Yosemite Valley on August 12 heading for Mt. Whitney. She is 5’3”, weighs 130 lbs, and has hazel eyes, brown hair, a graying fair complexion, and wears glasses.

She was scheduled to pick up food caches at Tuolumne Meadows and Reds Meadow (on the Inyo National Forest) on August 15th and August 18th, respectively. As of August 20, she has not picked up either cache.

Rangers were notified that Virga was overdue on August 19 and began an initial search of the JMT and neighboring trails. They also posted trail blocks at all critical trailheads. Searchers from Mono and Fresno counties are searching portions of the JMT in their jurisdictions to rule out the possibility that she is ahead of her schedule.

Searchers are looking for any information that could direct the search. This is an interagency search that includes Mariposa, Madera, Marin, Fresno, and Mono counties. A concentrated and aggressive search is being planned for the weekend with the belief that searchers can find Virga alive and well.

Virga was wearing REI khaki hiking pants with zip-off legs, a tan REI billed cap with a neck drape, Merrel low-top hiking boots with lug soles. She carried a light and dark blue Kelty internal frame pack, a pale green Sierra Designs single person tent and a brown footprint ground cloth. She hiked with poles which had brown knobs above the handles.

If you have seen Virga on or after August 12, please call Yosemite National Park Search and Rescue office at (209) 372-0216 or the park’s 24-hour Dispatch at (209) 379-1992 (between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.)

-NPS-