Darrington, WA – A multi-day search for a missing hiker on Mount Pugh ended Tuesday, May 12, after authorities located the man deceased in steep terrain outside Darrington.
According to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, the 34-year-old man from Bothell was reported missing on Sunday, May 10, after failing to report to work. Deputies determined he had likely been hiking alone near Mount Pugh, prompting an extensive search effort.
Search and Rescue teams quickly located the man’s vehicle at the Mount Pugh trailhead, launching a coordinated operation involving multiple agencies, including Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue, Everett Mountain Rescue, Skagit Mountain Rescue, Tacoma Mountain Rescue, Olympic Mountain Rescue, and Seattle Mountain Rescue.
Authorities said early clues from hikers helped narrow the search area. During the operation, teams located personal hiking equipment near the top of a steep couloir. On the third day, rescue crews were inserted by helicopter and worked down the terrain, ultimately locating the man approximately 800 vertical feet below where his gear was found.
The man was recovered by helicopter and transported to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office. His identity has not yet been publicly released, pending official confirmation.
Officials say the cause and manner of death remain under investigation.
Authorities remind hikers to plan ahead, avoid traveling alone in remote terrain, and ensure someone is aware of their route and expected return time.
