UPDATE: 11:35 AM, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26.
HIKER LOCATED!!
Joshua Tree National Park spokesman said, “The missing hiker has been located. A misunderstanding concerning his return date was clarified and no further search is necessary.”
UPDATE: 10:12 am SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26
Belgian Hiker Still missing. Searchers are following up on on tips that he may have been spotted at Jumbo Rocks Campground today. Waiting to hear more from family.
UPDATE: 7:50 PM, NOVEMBER 25
BELGIAN HIKER STILL MISSING!!
Joshua Tree National Park PIO Jennie Albrinck notified Z107.7 News that the young man located earlier WAS NOT missing hiker Ulysee Gerken. Gerken has NOT been located and is still listed as missing. Anyone seeing the man or who may have had contact with him are still being urged to to call Incident Commander Dan Messaros at 760-831-7633.
UPDATE: 7:15 PM, NOVEMBER 25
MISSING HIKER LOCATED
A missing hiker in Joshua Tree National Park was delayed by one day and showed up safely at his meeting spot this evening. Park PIO Jennie Albrinck says Ulysee Gerken was,”Happy and healthy”.
Joshua Tree National Park Rangers and Search and Rescue volunteers have started a preliminary search for a missing foreign visitor. Park Public Information Officer Jennie Albrinck said the 18-year-old Belgian visitor, Ulysse Gerken, was dropped off at the Boy Scout Trail head in the Indian Cove area for a five-day backpacking trek into the park. He made arrangements to be picked up in the Indian Cove area Friday but failed to arrive by Friday evening. Albrinck described Gerken as a having a thin build and dark blonde hair. He was last seen wearing a dark gray T-shirt, tan cargo shirts and an orange back pack. Anyone seeing the man or who may have had contact with him is asked to call Incident Commander Dan Messaros at 760-831-7633.
