News Release

Body of missing backpacker located along Bailey Range Traverse

Date: July 22, 2023
Contact: Public Affairs Office, 360-565-3005

Port Angeles, WA- A search for Lisa Markli of Port Angeles, WA, concluded on July 22nd after her body was located below Stephen Peak. Lisa was travelling solo on the Bailey Range Traverse, a remote, off-trail route. Olympic National Park dispatched aerial and ground resources on July 20th after she was reported overdue. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and Mount Rainier’s A-STAR helicopter extensively searched the area.  

On July 21, multiple ground search teams were dispatched along Mrs. Markli’s intended route. Search teams were comprised of Olympic Mountain Rescue, Seattle Mountain Rescue, Jefferson County Search and Rescue, Everett Mountain Rescue, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and National Park Service personnel. In addition, aerial resources continued to search the area.  

On July 22, ground search teams continued along their intended routes while aerial searches of the area resumed. At 12:55 PM, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter located a body below Stephen Peak. Soon after, a ground search team was able to confirm it was Lisa Markli. Mount Rainier’s A-STAR helicopter plans to use a short-haul technique to extract the body and transport to Fairchild International Airport in Port Angeles.  

Olympic National Park extends their gratitude to the multiple agencies involved: Olympic Mountain Rescue, Seattle Mountain Rescue, Jefferson County Search and Rescue, Everett Mountain Rescue, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, U.S. Coast Guard, and Mount Rainier National Park. Several members of the local community also contributed extensive knowledge of the route that helped make search efforts much more effective.