Forest rangers and volunteers in the High Peaks Wilderness have not found any more clues to the whereabouts of Hopewell resident Alex Stevens over the last few days. Stevens, 28, was last seen on Sept. 2 near the base of Wallface Mountain in the Adirondacks. Wallface Mountain is located in Essex County in New York, about 10 miles south of Lake Placid
By the end of the day Wednesday, an estimated 300 Forest Ranger hours and 60 volunteer hours were expended over three days of search efforts, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Spokesman Dave Winchell said. Searchers covered 209 miles while searching trails and other areas of rugged terrain. K9 units conducted searches over 11 miles.
The search continued on Thursday, with 26 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers searching the area north and northeast of Wallface Mountain.
Early in the week, searchers found a campsite, some equipment, and tracks and other signs leading from Stevens’ camp. The discovery helped searchers focus their efforts as the search.
Stevens was last seen by other hikers on the evening of Sept. 2 near the base of the mountain and was possibly not equipped for the rainy, cold weather on the mountain. Hikers said he was wearing sandals, shorts, and a dark blue t-shirt, and was possibly carrying a green backpack.
Stevens planned to be in the High Peaks for three days. Friends in New York City reported him missing when he failed to meet up with them.The search for him started on Sunday.