A 16-year-old who went missing on a hike near Mount St. Helens was found alive Monday evening, Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office reported.
He walked out with Cowlitz County Search and Rescue around 9:30 p.m. Monday, more than 24 hours after his family reported him missing.
Rescuers said they found his shoes about 150 yards off the trail where he was last seen and kept searching in that general direction.
The teenage hiker went missing near Mount St. Helen’s Spirit Lake. News outlets report the boy had been hiking with his family early Sunday and vanished after leaving the trail to use a restroom.
The family had been hiking on the main trail from the Hummocks Trailhead off State Route 504, according to the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff's office was contacted about 3 p.m. Sunday, and crews searched for the teen through early Monday morning. Crews resumed the search later Monday about 8 a.m.
Authorities say he had no phone or supplies with him at the time. He was wearing a navy blue shirt, black shorts and black shoes.
Anyone who thinks they have seen the boy is asked to call 911. Authorities ask the public to not join the search parties.
Several agencies were involved in search efforts, including Washington State Patrol troopers, Department of Fish and Wildlife officers and crews from Cowlitz and Clark County Search and Rescues. About 50 personnel are involved, according to the sheriff's office.
