Another SAR in Alaska, This One for Day Hiker In Denali National Park and Preserve

Denali National Park searchers were looking for a 54-year-old Georgia man who failed to return from a day hike Sunday. NPS handout.

A search-and-rescue mission was under way in Denali National Park and Preserve on Tuesday for a 54-year-old Georgia man who failed to return from his day hike on Sunday as planned.

Park officials say the search for John MacGregor, of Jasper, Georgia, was launched after he failed to make it back to his Fairbanks hotel on Sunday as planned, nor for a meeting on Monday that he was to attend.

On Sunday he was seen at the Eielson Visitor Center, which is located at Mile 66 on the Denali Park Road, and then heading up the Alpine Trail towards Thorofare Ridge, according to park officials.

On Tuesday an aerial search of routes and trails in the vicinity of the Eielson Visitor Center was launched for the day hiker. His car was found in the park's Wilderness Access Center parking lot after Alaska state police contacted park officials.

With the air search under way, plans also were being made to send out ground teams to search the trails along the route Mr. MacGregor was last seen on.

Park officials say the man was reported to be in good health and is considered to be an experienced hiker. He weights 150 pounds, has brown hair, and brown eyes. Anyone who might have seen him in the park is asked to call the National Park Service emergency dispatch center at (907) 683-9555.