A search for an experienced hiker between Gold River and Campbell River has been suspended again after it resumed over the weekend.
Sixty-four-year-old Laurence Philippsen set out on June 29 on a 40-kilometre hike to climb several mountains in Strathcona Provincial Park.
He was due to return to his Black Creek home on July 2 but never arrived.
The search for Philippsen was originally called off on July 6 after four days.
The search for Laurence was suspended last evening following four days of investigation and exhaustive search efforts by…
Posted by Comox Valley Ground Search & Rescue on Tuesday, July 7, 2020
The search for Laurence Philippsen was reactivated this past weekend to “follow up on further information received regarding his possible route of travel between his start point and his intended camp on night one of his planned three-day hike,” Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue (CVGSAR) wrote in a Facebook update.
According to CVGSAR, 45 friends and hikers from the Vancouver Island mountain community searched a predetermined ridge and drainage area on Saturday.
Then on Sunday, 42 searchers from Campbell River Search and Rescue, Comox Valley Search and Rescue and Nanaimo Search and Rescue including five K9 teams, both RCMP and SAR, did grid searches through wooded and technical terrain beginning early Sunday morning.
“Despite the new information and the combined thousands of person-hours of search effort over five long operational periods, no clues were produced to lead us to Laurence’s whereabouts amidst this rugged and remote area of Vancouver Island,” CVGSAR wrote.
“Searchers were deeply touched by Laurence’s family who were on scene to provide food and express their gratitude as searchers exited the search area. The active search for Laurence has been suspended but remains an open missing person’s investigation with the RCMP.”
CVGSAR said hikers in Strathcona Park are encouraged to continue to vigilant for any sign of Philippsen. He is described as 5’6,” 160 pounds with short silver hair. He wears glasses and has a large scar on his back from a previous surgery.
He was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt, a blue fleece sweater, a beige hiking pants and a large beige hiking pack. He also has a red tent for shelter.
Anyone with information about Philipsen’s whereabouts can contact Nootka Sound RCMP 250-283-2227.
The extensive search for Laurence Philippsen was reactivated this past weekend to follow up on further information…
Posted by Comox Valley Ground Search & Rescue on Monday, July 13, 2020
Alexa Huffman
