Gene Hall -- from Olympia, Washington -- was last seen in the Vogelsang area on Tuesday. He may have climbed Vogelsang Peak, but was headed toward Merced Lake.
Hall was last seen wearing a tan or olive-colored shirt, tan pants and a dark green or black rain jacket. He has a dark REI Backpack, a purple sleeping bag and a 3/4 length thermarest. He also had black or silver hiking poles.
Stay with Action News and ABC30.com for updates on this developing story.
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PRESS RELEASE
Yosemite National Park Searches for Missing Person Near Vogelsang
Yosemite National Park is searching for 69 year old Gene R. Hall, from Olympia, Washington. Hall was last seen in the Vogelsang area where he was hiking alone. He has been missing since Thursday, September 1, when he failed to show up at his vehicle.
Hall began a backpacking trip at the Dog Lake parking area in Tuolumne Meadows on Monday, August 29th. He was last seen at the Vogelsang High Sierra Camp on August 30th by a group of hikers. When Hall did not return to his vehicle on September 1, he was reported missing.
Yosemite National Park is asking anyone in the area of Vogelsang between August 30th and September 2nd to please call the Yosemite Emergency Communication Center at 209-379-1992. Hall is 69 years old, 5' 10" tall, 180 lbs., and has short gray hair. He was last seen wearing a tan or olive shirt, tan synthetic pants, and a dark green or black rain jacket. He also had a dark REI backpack, a purple sleeping bag, a ¾ length thermarest, and black or silver hiking poles with him.
Helicopters from Yosemite National Park and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have been assisting approximately 65 ground personnel in the search for Hall. Search and Rescue teams include personnel from Yosemite National Park Search and Rescue, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Sierra Madre County Search and Rescue, Fresno County Search and Rescue, and Tuolumne County Search and Rescue.
