A search was ongoing in Kings Canyon National Park for a hiker overdue from a hike into the Dusy Basin area of the park/NPS file photo of trail to Dusy Basin

A search was continuing Thursday for an experienced, 74-year-old backpacker who failed to return on schedule from a trek through Kings Canyon National Park in California.

Park officials said Robert “Bob” Woodie, from Manhattan Beach, California, was supposed to return from a backpacking trip on Sunday. On Tuesday the man was reported as being overdue.

Mr. Woodie’s intended route of travel may have been from South Lake, outside Bishop, California, into the park via Bishop Pass starting last Thursday, a park release said. He was possibly at Barrett Lakes, southeast of Dusy Basin, on Saturday evening based on an electronic check-in message received from his satellite message device, it added. The area experienced some inclement weather during this timeframe, with some areas above about 10,500 feet receiving snow. Overnight temperatures continue to be below freezing.

Mr. Woodie was considered to be familiar with the area. He is described as a Caucasian with brown hair and brown eyes standing 5-foot-5 and weighing around 150 pounds. He was possibly wearing a blue shell type jacket, baseball cap or floppy hat, and boots. He is reported to have an internal frame backpack, possibly blue in color, and no hiking poles. 

Two helicopters and 20 field personnel participated in park search operations Wednesday, with the search to resume Thursday. The search area is a high sierra alpine environment, between approximately 8,000 and 12,000 feet elevation. The rugged terrain includes areas of forest, alpine lakes, and areas above tree line with talus slopes and rocky mountain passes.

This search and rescue incident is being coordinated with the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department, which is simultaneously performing search operations adjacent to the park boundary within Inyo National Forest. 

Anyone who may have come across Mr. Woodie or have any other information is encouraged to contact Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks at 559-565-3117 with their name, contact information. You are asked to contact the park if you were in this area since Thursday, October 13, 2016, even if you do not believe you saw Mr. Woodie.