Missing Backpackers In Glacier National Park Found

Two backpackers missing in the rugged backcountry of Glacier National Park were found Monday afternoon after enduring four days of wintry conditions that included 18 inches of fresh snow.

Searchers located missing hikers Neal Peckens and Jason Hiser at approximately 3:30 p.m. The two 32-year-olds from Virginia were reported in good condition with no injuries, and were flown out of the backcountry and united with family members who had traveled to Glacier when the men failed to return home as scheduled last Friday.

Park officials did not provide any details of how or where the two were found, or offer any insights into how they got lost in the backcountry. A phone call to the park's public information officer was not immediately returned Monday evening, though in a press release she said further details would be provided Tuesday.

The two men were hiking on the east side of the park near Two Medicine. When they failed to catch a scheduled flight back home on Friday, family members contacted the park and a search was launched.

According to an Associated Press article, the two friends had been making backpacking trips to Western national parks for several years.