A hole over Pebble Creek is seen in this photo from Mount Rainier National Park.
Mount Rainier National Park rangers are continuing to search for a 30-year-old man who went missing Monday after falling in through a snowbridge over Pebble Creek during a descent from Camp Muir to Paradise.
The missing man’s skiing partner observed the fall and attempted to find him for two hours before reporting the incident at Paradise.
Rangers searched until dark Monday night. A helicopter crew continued the search Tuesday and Thursday, finding no new clues as to the location of the missing skier.
On Friday, independent search parties arrived in the park. They have been warned about dangerous conditions in the area caused by rapidly melting snow.
The missing man’s name has not been released.
“We offer our condolences to the family and friends of the missing skier,” said Park Superintendent Randy King in a statement. “From the outpouring of concern, he was obviously much loved. What would compound this tragedy would be the loss of another life. For this reason we advise against private efforts to continue the search.”
