A ground and aerial search is continuing today for a 22-year-old man missing since Monday when he left for a hike from a hatchery at Port Armstrong, a remote community on the south end of Baranof Island.
When the man, identified by a news release from the state troopers as Ben Le, didn't return by 4:30 p.m., his colleagues at the hatchery did a quick search by land and boat then notified the Alaska State Troopers.
Troopers said a search began Tuesday morning, with the assistance of the Alaska National Guard, Juneau Mountain Rescue, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, a canine team from the Sitka Search and Rescue, SEADOGS, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Extensive ground and aerial searches yielded no results, and at 8:20 p.m. search efforts were halted for the night.
The search resumed this morning, with additional assistance from the National Guard, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, and a thermal drone team.
Interim Chief Brian McLaughlin from the Sitka Fire Department explained Le is facing dangers related to food and water supply, wildlife, and exposure to the elements.
The weather has been good in the area this week, with temperatures today in the 60s, skies sunny, and winds calm, the National Weather Service reports.
