Search launched as third climber goes missing on Mount Rainier
by KOMO News Staff
Storm clouds roll by Mount Rainier. (Photo courtesy of Scott Eliot)
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, Wash. - A search is underway for a climber missing since Saturday on Mount Rainier's Liberty Ridge, park officials say.
Matthew Bunker of Seattle is the third person to go missing over the past week while hiking or climbing in Mount Rainier National Park.
He was reported missing by the other member of his climbing party at 3 p.m. Friday. Bunker had been skiing ahead of his partner near Thumb Rock, at about 10,400 feet in elevation, as they were descending from the upper mountain on skis, and was believed to have fallen in the steep terrain, park officials said.
A helicopter responded to search the area, but severe downslope winds around Liberty Ridge prevented the chopper from getting close to the terrain, and the crew was unable to locate the missing climber before returning to base.
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A second reconnaissance flight went out later in the evening with three climbing rangers aboard, but the helicopter crew again encountered severe downslope winds and increasing clouds, which limited their ability to approach the ridge. The second flight also ended without the missing climber being located.
Poor flying conditions at the location have prevented any additional flights, but more helicopter searches are planned when the weather improves.
The terrain below where Bunker went missing is near the location of the Liberty Ridge tragedy that claimed the lives of six climbers in 2014. It is very steep, terminates in cliffs, and is known for frequent avalanches and active rockfall, which make it too dangerous for ground teams to search.
Djie was last seen last Friday afternoon hiking the Van Trump Trail toward Mildred Point, according to Patti Wold with Mt. Rainier National Park. His car was found earlier this week at Longmire. Searchers have been looking for him since then, with no luck.
Meanwhile, dozens of other searchers continued a separate search operation for Sabbagh, who was last seen hiking in the Paradise area a week ago. He was reported missing on Monday and his car was found in the Paradise parking lot.
Park officials stress that their crews are not seeking help from independent search teams due to treacherous conditions.
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