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Missing hiker sought in Olympic National Park
The gist
Search teams recovered hiker Neil Gehring's body on Mount Appleton's northwest slope on Sept. 13.
The two-week search used drones, dogs and cell phone data.
How it unfolded
- Aug 31, 2026Neil Gehring, 26, left the Madison Falls Trailhead in Olympic National Park for an overnight backpacking trip, intending a cross-country traverse from Boulder Lake to Appleton Pass.
- Sep 1, 2026According to his permit, Gehring planned to return to Madison Falls.
- Sep 2, 2026 06:30Gehring was reported overdue at 6:30 a.m. and teams began searching for him soon after.