Search to resume for missing hikers on Mount Pilchuck

06:31 AM PDT on Tuesday, May 10, 2005

From KING Staff and Wire Reports

EVERETT, Wash. - The search for two missing hikers in Snohomish County, Wash., was set to resume Tuesday for two women ending their second night in the wilderness.

About 45 volunteers and Snohomish County deputies continued to search for two women lost on Mount Pilchuck Monday night.

KING

Volunteers and deputies are searching for two women lost on Mount Pilchuck.

Deputy Dave Hayes said earlier Monday the two women were believed to be okay, but their cell phone died after they called about 7 a.m. Monday morning to say they were okay.

They said they are cold and tired, and don't know how to get down the mountain. Now they are faced with spending a second night in the wilderness.

Hayes said the Seattle-area women - one 23 and the other 32 - went for a day hike Sunday on the Mount Pilchuck trail off the Mountain Loop Highway east of Granite Falls. He said they were on the way down when they called before 8 p.m. Sunday night from the cell phone to say they lost the trail.

The women are not experienced hikers and are wearing only jeans and light jackets.

Authorities say hikers who get lost should stay put until rescuers find them.