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Contact: Barb Maynes, 360-565-3005 Contact: Rainey McKenna, 360-565-2985
The search for overdue hiker Bryan Lee Johnston, 71 years old, continued for a third day in the Ozette area of Olympic National Park, but failed to reveal any clues. Johnston left his home in Seattle and traveled to the Olympic Peninsula on Thursday, August 22. Before leaving home, he spoke of plans to day hike on the Ozette Loop Trail and mentioned his intention to return home in several days. Further details of his plans are not known.Family members reported Johnston overdue on Wednesday, August 28. Rangers immediately began a hasty search for Johnston and and located his truck in the Ozette Ranger station parking lot early Wednesday, shortly after receiving the report.Ground searchers and a helicopter were involved in the effort on Wedneday, with additional ground searchers, boat searchers and two search dog teams added on Thursday. Today, five teams of ground searchers and three dog teams from Pierce County Search and Rescue continued the intensive search for any clues or indications of Johnston's plans or location. While searchers have concentrated their efforts in the area of the popular nine-mile Ozette – Cape Alava – Sand Point – Ozette triangle hike, they have also searched the park's Pacific Coast from Shi Shi Beach south to Norwegian Memorial.The Lake Ozette shoreline, along with nearby roads and trails, has also been thoroughly searched. Anyone with clues or information regarding Johnston's whereabouts is asked to call Olympic National Park at 360-565-3120. Johnston has white hair in a ponytail and blue eyes and is 5'10" tall. Family members describe him as active and physically fit. He is believed to have been wearing blue jeans and carrying a black day pack. |
Last updated: February 28, 2015