Authorities were searching for a woman visiting Alaska’s capital city who did not return to her cruise ship from a hike she said she was taking, officials said Wednesday.
The Juneau Police Department said it received a report Tuesday afternoon that the 62-year-old from Kentucky, who told relatives that morning that she was getting off the Norwegian Bliss to hike, had not returned to the vessel by its departure time.
The woman’s plans involved taking a tram popular with tourists partially up a mountain overlooking downtown Juneau and continuing from there, with plans to trek to Gold Ridge and Gastineau Peak, according to the state Department of Public Safety.
Juneau is a popular cruise ship destination. Many tourists who ride the tram stay close to the developed area that includes the tram.
There are still areas of snow on the local peaks.
The department said ground and aerial searches were conducted Tuesday, with ground searches resuming Wednesday and aircraft on standby due to overcast and rainy weather.
Department of Public Safety spokesperson Austin McDaniel told Alaska News Source how important it is for people to tell somebody where they are going, their journey plans and information about their clothing before travelling in the backcountry.
“If you don’t return on time, they can alert first responders, alert search and rescue teams, the troopers, so we can immediately begin formulating a plan and activating resources to help get you out of the field,” he said.
People should also consider bringing an additional communication device with them in case they lose mobile signal, he said.
“You might have good cell phone service, you might not. If you’re not going to have good cell phone service, make sure that you’re bringing some type of satellite communication device with you, whether it’s an inReach or some kind of a spot device.
“Or you’re using one of the more modern phones that has satellite communication services built into it.“
