The search for a missing hiker in Inyo County continued Friday while Fresno County authorities launched a separate search in the Sierra National Forest for another missing hiker.
The search for Matthew Hanson, 52, of Visalia began after the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office received a missing person’s report shortly before 6 a.m. Friday, after he didn’t return home Thursday from a backpacking trip.
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He had headed out on Tuesday, according to a sheriff’s report.
“We’re still looking for him right now. We still have about 20 people looking right now” on foot, Sheriff’s Lt. Louis Hernandez said shortly after 8 p.m. Friday.
Hansen’s vehicle was found parked east of Courtright Reservoir, east of Shaver Lake. The sheriff’s report described the missing man as a frequent backpacker prepared for up to a 10-day trip. The area was covered with about eight inches of snow and very cold, but Hernandez said an experienced hiker with supplies could survive a few days in those conditions.
While that search was under way, another search continued in neighboring parts of Kings Canyon National Park and the Inyo National Forest for Lawrence “Larry” Cobb, 53, of Pacific Palisades, a hiker last seen on Oct. 19. He was supposed to return home Monday.
A total of 35 people were involved in Friday’s search for Cobb — which began Wednesday — including teams from the National Park Service and National Forest Service. The California Air National Guard conducted the search from the air. The areas being searched have rugged terrain covered in up to 11/2feet of snow.
Search-and-rescue are expected to continue looking for Cobb this weekend, and more ground searchers may be brought in, the Park Service reports.
