Searchers seek Palmer man missing on Hatcher Pass hike

An image of Palmer man Roberto Zapata, 60, successful a missing-person bulletin posted by Alaska State Troopers. (From Alaska DPS)

A Palmer man is missing aft going connected a hike successful nan Hatcher Pass area past weekend, arsenic searchers continued to look for him Tuesday by aerial and connected nan ground, according to Alaska State Troopers.

According to an online dispatch, 60-year-old Roberto Zapata near Saturday greeting and was expected to return Sunday evening earlier he was reported overdue early Monday. A missing persons bulletin for Zapata said he was headed for Bomber Glacier and was past seen wearing greenish pants and a hoodie pinch a image of Bigfoot connected it.

Troopers spokesperson Austin McDaniel said Tuesday that Zapata had been unsocial connected nan hike. So far, searchers person only recovered Zapata’s conveyance parked astatine nan Upper Reed Lakes trailhead. The Alaska Mountain Rescue Group and Alaska State Parks rangers searched nan area Monday, pinch support from a trooper helicopter.

McDaniel said Tuesday greeting that nan rescue group searchers were returning to nan area but helicopters were grounded by rainy conditions.

“If upwind allows, further aerial searching will hap up location successful nan area for Roberto,” McDaniel said.

Troopers inquire anyone pinch accusation connected Zapata’s whereabouts to telephone their Palmer station astatine 907-745-2131.