Hillsborough, CA Hiker Lost In Emigrant Wilderness

Sonora, CA — The Tuolumne County Search and Rescue Team from the Sheriff´s Office is searching the Emigrant Wilderness for 42 year old Christopher Andrews from Hillsborough, California.

Friday the Sheriff´s Office was contacted by the California Office of Emergency Services regarding a personal locating beacon that was emitting a 911 signal in the area of Iceland Lake in the Emigrant Wilderness. Due to the weather team members were unable to respond to the area.

Saturday the team was unable to make access to the area where the beacon was last signaled. High waters across the creeks forced them to make access from the Haypress area over East Flange into the Relief Valley. The search was continued on foot and in four-wheel drive vehicles.

Sunday a helicopter was launched but to no avail. The emergency beacon stopped emitting a signal possibly due to a dead battery.

Andrews has been described as an avid hiker by his family. He is quite familiar with the Emigrant Wilderness area. Andrews is six feet one inches tall weighing 165 pounds. He has blond hair and blue eyes.

Written by Bill Johnson