CT Marine Missing In Sierra Nevada

U.S. National Parks and local law enforcement are continuing their search for missing Marine 1st Lt. Matthew Kraft after he went missing during a planned hike through the Sierra High Route in California.

Kraft, 24, of Washington, CT is believed to have hiked out of the Kearsarge Pass Feb. 24 with a plan to end near the Twin Lakes area in Bridgeport, CA, according to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Service. Kraft's Marine training includes the Winter Mountain Leaders Course.

Kraft's father contacted the Mono Sheriff's office March 4 after not hearing form his son. His vehicle was found at the Grays Meadows campground above Independence, CA.

“Snow instability will remain a challenge as search teams attempt to clear portions of the route,” stated Inyo Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Coordinator, Sergeant Nate Derr.

Many members of the public have requested to help in the search, but there are extreme hazards in the search area.

More from the National Parks Service:

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Incident Commander Dave Fox added “We know the public is very interested in helping with the ground search effort, but due to the extreme hazards in the search area, we are not requesting any outside units at this time."

Today the search plan includes air lifting two Inyo County Search and Rescue avalanche experts to the crest of Kearsarge Pass so they can begin to clear the route on the east side and assess avalanche risk for future search operations. On the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks side of the crest work continues to follow-up on possible points of interest and look for any new clues.

Air support is being coordinated with Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Fresno County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol, Air National Guard, and United States Marine Corps. Fresno Sheriff, Mono Sheriff, Inyo Sheriff, and Sequoia Kings Canyon National Parks are currently in Unified Command. Other agencies assisting include United States Marine Corps, Madera County Sheriff, Yosemite National Park, and California Office of Emergency Services. In addition, two Marines from Kraft's unit are assisting authorities with search efforts at the Search and Rescue Coordination Center.