Update: Guadalupe Mountains National Park officials say the missing hiker, Richard Berry, has been found safe. Here are additional details:
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“At approximately 1 pm on November 6th, Richard Berry, a day hiker reported missing on Saturday, November 4th, was found alive in a remote off trail location in the northern portion of the park.
The family of Mr. Berry and Guadalupe Mountains National Park would like to extend thanks to all of the cooperating agencies and individual volunteers who’s efforts led to a successful conclusion to this incident. The following agencies contributed invaluable assistance during this incident: Carlsbad Bureau of Land Management, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad Police Department, Eddy County Fire & Rescue, Texas Rescue Patrol (TRP), Texas SAR (TEXSAR), Texas Department of Public Safety – Aircraft Operations Division, United States Border Patrol Air & Marine, United States Border Patrol BORSTAR, as well as National Park Service partners, volunteers, and neighbors.”
Park Rangers in Guadalupe National Park are continuing their search Monday for a missing 71-year-old man.
According to a social media post, Richard Berry was last seen around noon on November 2. His last known location was at the Marcus and Blue Ridge Trail Junction. Berry told his family he planned to hike from Dog Canyon to Blue Ridge. However, he did not return to their hotel that night. Park Rangers found his car at the trailhead.
The highest peak in Texas is located in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The area is known for its rugged trails. The park borders the state of New Mexico and is a very rural area. In fact, it is one of the least visited parks in the National Park Service.
A Closer Look at National Park Disappearances
An investigation by the New York Post found 1,180 missing people reports in national parks between 2018 and the first two months of 2023.
Fortunately, most people are found safe by search and rescue teams. We saw a case like this over the summer in Sequoia National Park. The hiker, Bill Roberts, was missing for six days after getting lost off the trail. Eventually, he found his way and asked another hiker for help.
However, other cases from this year remain open. Crews in Rocky Mountain National Park searched for Chad Pallansch, a trail runner who vanished off a trail in late September. Park Rangers launched a massive search that lasted several days. Officials eventually called off the search almost two weeks later without an answer.
Search crews in Guadalupe Mountains National Park are asking anyone with information about the whereabouts of Richard Berry to contact the National Park Service’s tip line at 888-653-0009.
Here’s a look at gear and advice for anyone hiking solo.
