A search and rescue operation is continuing in Alaska after a cruise ship guest was reported missing while hiking.
Marites Buenafe, 62 from Kentucky, arrived in Juneau, Alaska aboard Norwegian Bliss early on Tuesday. She had told family members she planned to hike the mountains above Juneau.
Kentucky Woman Hiked Alone and Hasn’t Been Sighted Since Leaving the Ship
The last confirmed sighting was around 7:30 a.m. when she left the ship in Juneau.
According to family, she planned to ride the Goldbelt Tramway up to Mount Roberts and then hike the Gold Ridge and Gastineau Peak. The hike is considered “challenging.” The surrounding terrain still has some patches of snow on the ground.
A missing person alert was made when she failed to return to the ship later that afternoon. Multiple agencies have been involved in the ground and aerial search, including Juneau Mountain Rescue, Juneau Police, and Southeast Alaska canine team.
Additionally, helicopter and thermal drone searches were conducted, although they were hampered by poor weather and low visibility.
Alaska State Troopers spokesperson Austin McDaniel said: “We’ve got a lot of resources thrown at this. We’re usually very successful at these types of search and rescues, so we’re hoping that we’ll be able to find Marites.” As of Thursday, she still remains missing.
It is not unheard of for lone hikers to be rescued safely after being missing for several days. Last winter, a 20-year-old hiker was found alive after surviving almost two months in the Northern British Columbia wilderness.
The Norwegian Bliss left Seattle at the weekend on the current Alaska cruise and called at Sitka before docking in Juneau.
After Buenafe was announced missing, the ship continued its itinerary to Icy Strait Point before further port calls to Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia.
