March 10, 2010

Skamania hiker’s father still hopeful

     STEVENSON, Wash. (AP) — About 40 ground searchers plus Coast Guard and Washington National Guard aircraft have completed another day of looking for a 24-year-old Portland woman missing on a hike near Bonneville Dam in Washington’s Skamania County. The search will resume Wednesday.
Katherine Huether’s father Robert arrived late Tuesday and was able to view the search area with Skamania County deputies. His daughter was last heard from on Thursday when she texted a friend that she was at a trailhead. Her father tells KPTV that his daughter is an experienced hiker and he’s “still hopeful.”
Undersheriff Dave Cox says sheriff’s divers also searched Gillette Lake. He says no additional clues were found.
Cox also says detectives are investigating a report of a flasher in the area last Thursday.
The young woman’s car was found at a trailhead. The only clue to her disappearance is a credit card receipt with her name found Sunday about four miles north of Bonneville Dam.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.