Search Continues for Missing Visitor in Yosemite National Park

Date: June 11, 2008

Yosemite National Park staff continues to search today for Esmin Garmendia-Barrios. Garmendia is described as 22 years old, a native Honduran, who is 5’8" tall. Mr. Garmendia speaks Spanish and some English. Reports describing Mr. Garmendia’s clothing have varied, but may include jeans or khaki pants, varying tee shirt colors, and black shoes. Reports indicate that he was last seen at Washburn Point in Yosemite National Park on June 8, 2008, and is believed to be carrying a Bible.

Approximately 125 searchers from Yosemite National Park, the California Conservation Corps (CCC), and Mono, Marin, Santa Clara, Ventura, Fresno, Contra Costa, Santa Barbara and Sierra Madre Counties, as well as the Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit and China Lake Search and Rescue, including dog teams and aerial spotters, are participating in the search.

Anyone in the area ONLY of Sentinel Dome, Washburn Point, or Glacier Point or on the Pohono, Panorama, Illilouette, or Four Mile Trails after 2pm on 6/8/08 is asked to please call Yosemite National Park at 209/372-0311 whether they saw Mr. Garmendia or not. Any information, even from those who did not see him, will help park staff focus the search area.

Media calls should be directed to Public Information Officer Adrienne Freeman at 209/372-0480.