Missing hiker found safe in Denali National Park

A hiker missing in Denali National Park over the weekend was found Sunday evening.

According to the National Park Service, 42-year-old Mukunda Egen of California was located by a helicopter at the headwaters of the Sanctuary River around 7:45 pm on Sunday.

Before being located on Sunday, Egen had last been seen Friday night about six miles away in the area of the Teklanika campground. Egen and a hiking partner became separated when Egen took a different route back to the campground. The pair lost sight of each other in foggy conditions, and Egen’s companion attempted to retrace their route before returning to the campground early Saturday morning and notifying Denali National Park rangers. Search efforts began Saturday morning, with approximately fifty people contributing to the search by air and ground.

Though he did not have additional food or water with him, and was not equipped for staying overnight in the wilderness, park officials say that Egen was in good condition when found by rescue personnel.