Search for Missing Manhattan Beach Hiker Still Suspended Because of Weather

KING CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, CA -- The search for a Manhattan Beach hiker missing since October is still suspended because of weather, the National Parks Service said.

Robert "Bob" Woodie was reported missing Oct. 15 after not returning from a four-day backpacking trip into the wilderness of Kings Canyon National Park.

Rescue crews have suspended their search for Woodie since Oct. 29 after rain and snow moved into the area and the weather has not allowed the search to resume since, NPS spokesman Mike Theune said. When the weather permits, the search will resume, he said.

More than 60 people were searching for Woodie, who was described as an experienced hiker, before the search was stopped.

Woodie's intended route of travel may have been from South Lake, outside Bishop into the park via Bishop Pass starting on Thursday, Oct. 13, park officials said. He was possibly at Barrett Lakes, southeast of Dusy Basin, on the evening of Saturday, based on an electronic check-in message received from his satellite message device, the NPS said.

The area experienced some inclement weather during this timeframe, with some areas above about 10,500 feet receiving snow. Overnight temperatures continue to be below freezing.

On Monday, the body of another missing hiker, Vince Scalise, was found Panther Creek and the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River in nearby Sequoia National Park.

-- Photo courtesy of the NPS