Matthew HansonRescue teams resumed separate searches Sunday for two hikers missing in California's Sierra Nevada.More >> A search was launched Friday morning for an overdue backpacker in the Sierra.More >>
FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
The Fresno County Sheriff's Office says a backpacker who was missing in the Sierra has been found alive.
Authorities say 52-year-old Matthew Hanson, of Visalia, started his backpacking trip in the Sierra on Tuesday, October 16 and was due back on Thursday, October 25. His itinerary included the upper Kings River, Black Cap Basin and Martha Lake.
The sheriff's office sent out search teams after it received a missing persons report last Friday.
Officials say shortly before 3:30 p.m. Monday, a California Highway Patrol helicopter discovered shoe tracks in the area of Cathedral Lake. The helicopter landed nearby and Hanson walked to it.
Authorities say Hanson -- an experienced backpacker -- appeared to be in relatively good condition.
The crew on board the helicopter medically assessed Hanson, and he was flown back to a command post at Courtright Reservoir.
Cathedral Lake is at an elevation of approximately 10,800 feet, and is within the original 130-square-mile search area.
Stay with KMPH News and KMPH.com as we continue to follow this story.
