Snow and frigid temperatures is hampering the search for a University of Washington professor missing now for two weeks at Mt Ranier National Park.
KING5 reports the family of Sam Dubal remains hopeful the experienced backpacker is still alive.
“He has gear with him. He has a tent, he has a rain jacket, he has a sleeping bag, he was ready,” Dena Dubal, Sam’s sister told King5.
She’s fearful park rangers are pulling back on their search, noting that she is no longer receiving regular updates.
“We cannot bare the thought of an abandoned search during a survival period,” she said to Q13.
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Dubal expressed her appreciation for what search crews have done so far and she said she respected decisions that also keep the safety of those crews in mind. She’s hopeful that a break in the weather this weekend will mean a resumption of search efforts.
“Unfortunately, we are reaching a point where, with cold, snowy, stormy weather at high elevations, conditions are getting riskier for our searchers. At the same time, as time passes, the likelihood of a positive outcome begins to decline,” said Patricia Wold, spokesperson for Mount Rainier National Park.
Dubal is an assistant professor at UW and a scholar-anthropologist-trauma surgeon.
So far 30,000 people have signed a petition urging rescue crews to continue their search for at least another 72 hours.
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