A search continues for an overdue hiker in the hills surrounding Chena Hot Springs Resort. Alaska State Trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters says resort employee 19-year-old Anatoliy Balko left on what was he anticipated to be a 2 day hike Friday morning.
“It was told last that he left the resort at approximately 9:30 Friday morning, and he was going to hike Far Mountain and back via the Charlie Dome area,” Peters said. “It’s about a 30-mile hike. He was supposed to be back at work on Sunday at 9 and did not show up.”
Peters said Troopers are part of a multi-agency search effort.
“We’re involved with Wilderness Search and Rescue, and we got our helicopter up and we’re working with the University of Fairbanks,” Peters said. “They have a drone that’s gonna help us hopefully search the area.”
Peters said Balko is thought to have a pink backpack and be using a blue tarp for shelter and asks anyone in the area to be on the lookout for him.
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
