[UPDATE 4:31 p.m.] Multiple Agencies Searching for Missing Canadian Hiker on Lost Coast Trail

Search and rescue feature and iconAs last night’s stormy weather threw high waves at the Lost Coast, multiple agencies searched for a missing Canadian hiker. Shelter Cove Fire Department spokesperson Nick Pape said his crew had “been working it since 7:50 last night.”

Shelter Cove Fire, Southern Humboldt Technical Rescue, Cal Fire, the Coast Guard and the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department have been searching for a “guy hiking the Lost Coast from out of the area,” according to Pape.

The man was traveling the famous remote trail north of Shelter Cove. According the Cheryl Antony, spokesperson for Shelter Cove Fire, “[The hiker’s] car is in the parking lot…He texted someone three days ago saying he hurt his back and was at Miller’s Flat.”

“He was supposed to show up two days ago,” Pape told us. But last night was when searchers learned he hadn’t shown up.

Last night it was a bad storm, high waves on the beach,” Pape said but the searchers still went out.

Antony explained that the searchers had traveled over seven miles up the beach before having to return as high waves might have blocked the return trail.

“They found an empty back pack…and not too far away some MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) but they don’t know if they are related,” Antony told us.

The searchers will be gathering this morning and putting together a search plan. “We’ll know more about 8 or 9,” Pape explained.

As soon as we get more information, we’ll update.

NOTE: The Sheriff’s Office tweeted that Bureau of Land Management employees are also involved in the search.

UPDATE 10:05 a.m.: Shelter Cove Fire provided this photo of the vehicle believed to belong to the missing hiker. Cheryl Antony said the man is believed to have taken the shuttle up to the mouth of the Mattole and then began hiking back down to the Cove.

Black car missing hiker

[Photo provided by Shelter Cove Fire]

UPDATE 4:31 p.m.: Searchers Scour Lost Coast Hunting for Missing Canadian Hiker

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53 Comments
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Helllbilly
Guest
Helllbilly
5 years ago

Not smart. Do some research before heading out. You would have some deep Creek crossings that would be almost impassable. Good luck search and rescue

tax payer
Guest
tax payer
5 years ago

was this man hiking alone?

Anon
Guest
Anon
5 years ago

Oh man what a horrible absolute deluge storm to be out there , and injured. Hopefully he hunkered down .

Kim
Guest
Kim
5 years ago
Reply to  Anon

How bad was the storm? it’s a close relative of mine that’s lost and injured, any information would be so much appreciated. Do you know much about the trail?

Farce
Guest
Farce
5 years ago
Reply to  Kim

We have very experienced and extremely devoted search and rescue people here. It’s a challenging trail and we just had some weather but do not despair. There is not much cell phone reception out there is nothing to say until he is found. Please don’t read too much into comments on this page. We are all praying and pulling and thinking about your relative. And he has a great search and rescue team on his side.

Kim
Guest
Kim
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Thank you so much I am very grateful. I have sent you an email with a photo.

Sharon
Guest
Sharon
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

HI I am Rick’s Aunt. Are you still looking for some photos of him?

Sharon

Sharon Grose
Guest
Sharon Grose
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Good. Glad it was received.

Dale Eastep
Guest
Dale Eastep
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Hi
I am Rick’s brother. He has had some great experience hiking. He has previously hiked “The West Coast Trail” in BC and he has hiked the “Slims River West Trail” in the Yukon. This may not make him a pro by any means but he has had soom experience. And yes he was alone on this adventure. I hope he is found. God be with all who are out there.

Phil Lazzar
Guest
Phil Lazzar
5 years ago
Reply to  Dale Eastep

Rick, do you have a picture of his backpack or know it’s color?

Hoping found safe soon
Guest
Hoping found safe soon
5 years ago
Reply to  Kim

The trail is ok for the most part, you gotta watch the tides tho.
This has been a pretty major storm, tho if he is an experienced camper he can find nooks to be in that are sheltered. The coast has stayed pretty warm this last few days.
Its very very steep in parts which makes searching slow.

There have been multiple successful rescues of injured hikers by our incredible volunteer search&;rescue team. Please know if anyone can find him they will. A few years back they hiked in 6 hours to an injured hiker and carried him out on a stretcher back 6 hours, walking.
Its 26 miles of wilderness with very little cel service. Satellite phones are recommended.
This seems like a good time to use a drone!

Kym can we get their family connected to Diana?

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago

Yes. Cell service can be very sketchy in our area even in more populated parts so not hearing is typical. Hoping that he is in contact with you soon.

localwoman
Guest
localwoman
5 years ago
Reply to  Kim

There was 45-50 mile per. hr. winds and hard down pour, maybe about 40 f. Hope is is found soon, it too cold to be out at night.

Anon
Guest
Anon
5 years ago
Reply to  localwoman

Add to high winds the hard down pour **for 2days and nights solid.**

Dramatic true Humboldt storm. Hopefully his luck, wilderness skills , and gear all held up.

Shotgun sam
Guest
Shotgun sam
5 years ago
Reply to  Kim

I hiked it just about every year of my life and I’m in my 30s.. what do you want to know about the trail? It’s mostly open beach with Creek crossings

Martin
Guest
Martin
5 years ago

I pray that the searchers will find this man alive and can get him to safety. Thank you to all the people searching for him. Be safe.

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago
Reply to  Martin

I’ve never understand how prayer is supposed to work. Hope it makes you feel better though. Maybe that’s why you do it? Maybe it’s just synonymous with “hope” for some people?

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

I always wonder why people feel the need to comment belittling on other’s beliefs when it doesn’t affect them at all. Does that make you feel better?

Farce
Guest
Farce
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

I used to criticize it also. But I’ve come to accept it as “hope” or a prayer as “focused meditation” directed to the cosmos (or God or whatever people believe in). I’ve seen some stuff happen I can’t explain rationally and so I think there’s room to believe there may be energy stuff going on that we don’t understand. And I am very cynical and science-based! Prayers or wishings of Good Luck are sometimes all we can offer and it is a decent gesture. Yes- being on the search and rescue team actively seeking him would be more effective- no doubt!- but no reason to discount any small offering of solace! His family is here reading the comments and they are concerned.

SourTangant
Guest
SourTangant
5 years ago
Reply to  Farce

Well said Farce! Thank u!

I like stars
Guest
I like stars
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

Whether or not you believe, a prayer never hurt a cause. Positive energy can have some incredible power.

Dang...
Guest
Dang...
5 years ago

That trail is very hard in the summer and in winter alot of parts are impassable because of the water. Hiking alone is not very smart….especially on unknown trails. I hiked thattrail some years ago and I seen eagles flying and there were big cat and bear scat and foot prints all thru there. Good luck buddy. Iam praying for you bro.

DawnI
Guest
DawnI
5 years ago
Reply to  Dang...

Dang – you said it – north of Shelter Cove is a Big Hike and can be dangerous. This time of year, slippery and wet, Sooo easy to lose one’s footing, fall and hurt your back. Or leg, or head.
Makes me wonder how experienced this hiker is.

Luke
Guest
Luke
5 years ago

Sad to say this area eats Canadians.

G
Guest
G
5 years ago

There are cabins along the way. Hopefully he found one.

Joe Dirt
Guest
Joe Dirt
5 years ago

Used to be vehicle access through the Kings range don’t know if there’s any vehicle access anymore? Should be some kind of access to that beach for emergency
Vehicles think there used to be one in Shelter Cove also and I’ve never been to the Petrolia side

Hmmmm
Guest
Hmmmm
5 years ago

This is a censorship site Kim

I like stars
Guest
I like stars
5 years ago
Reply to  Hmmmm

Start your own site and say whatever you want.

SourTangant
Guest
SourTangant
5 years ago
Reply to  Hmmmm

Just be respectful & u wont have anything to worry about. If Kym censured u, u must have said something very inappropriate… His family is worried & they dont need to read disrespectful comments from people who dont know the whole story.

Pilot Caleb
Guest
Pilot Caleb
5 years ago

Going to take a look on the flight home from Santa Rosa

Hmmmm
Guest
Hmmmm
5 years ago

like I said. Censorship

Ben
Guest
Ben
5 years ago

The creek at Big Flat can be a big problem I have helped rope folks across after a storm..

Blessings be
Guest
Blessings be
5 years ago

Blessings be good i have been walking in that area it’s hard at times … Hope all will be good 🙏

SourTangant
Guest
SourTangant
5 years ago

Sending hope that he is found quickly & safely. To his family & friends, our rescue teams are experienced, dedicated, unwavering & they wont give up until he is found.

Hope for best
Guest
Hope for best
5 years ago

Obviously not ideal conditions but with good gear this storm would be do-able, ive ridden out a few in a tent.
Very intense but this hiker sounds experienced, Im so hoping he found some good natural shelter&is found safe soon!

Just Asking
Guest
Just Asking
5 years ago

I was wondering whether he took a private shuttle to the north end or not. If conditions are so terrible, wouldn’t the driver know if they took someone out to the trail head at the Mattole? Not too many folks out hiking now. And you need a permit to do this, so that record exists telling which end he started at. Thank god for the local search and rescue folks. Their persistence and skills have saved many a hurt hiker.

Anon
Guest
Anon
5 years ago
Reply to  Just Asking

Article states that …*the man is believed to have taken the shuttle up (north) to the mouth of the Mattole and then began hiking back down (south) to the Cove…*

Joe Dirt
Guest
Joe Dirt
5 years ago
Reply to  Anon

There’s probably only a few companies shuttling people Blues Lost Coast Adventure Tours he probably knows everybody that shuttling people unless they got a ride from a privateer

bro T
Guest
bro T
5 years ago

Hoping he’s sheltered somewhere and is discovered soon.

Worried but grateful
Guest
5 years ago

I am also a family member, and want to thank all of you who have shared information, ideas, encouragement, support, care, and reassurance. I am so grateful to the search and rescue crews who are doing their best to find and help Rick. This is a difficult time.

Also, Kym, thanks for your integrity and effective facilitation of this online discussion board.

Phil Lazzar
Guest
Phil Lazzar
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Hi Kim. Can you get a picture of his backpack?

JBee
Guest
JBee
5 years ago

Let me offer a few words of encouragement. I live near and hike the Lost Coast regularly, and actually hiked several miles on the north end Sunday afternoon. The seas have been pounding and hitting the banks hard, but if Rick started from the mouth of the Mattole and made it to Miller Flat he had already passed the most dangerous zones. Hopefully he found a place to hunker down. This reminds me of my thought that my dog and I need to join a search and rescue team. I’m praying for you Rick!