Search Continues for Missing Backpacker in Yosemite National Park

The search continues today for a missing backpacker in the wilderness area east of Merced Lake in Yosemite National Park. Ottorrina Bonaventura, 80, was reported missing on July 30, 2007 when she separated from her group and failed to return to the Vogelsang High Sierra Camp where she was staying.

Over 100 searchers from Marin, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Ventura, Santa Clara, and Fresno counties, as well as from the Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit, the National Park Service, and DNC Parks and Resorts in Yosemite, Inc. are participating in the search effort. Dog teams and helicopters are being used as well.

Ms. Bonaventura is described as being 5' tall with dyed blond hair and brown eyes. She is an experienced hiker, but does have a history of memory loss.

Search managers are asking that anyone who has been in Yosemite's backcountry east of Merced Lake and south of Tuolumne Meadows please contact them EVEN IF THEY DID NOT SEE ANYONE MATCHING HER DESCRIPTION.

The Incident Investigations Unit can be reached at 209/372-0778

wow! (not good).... that is sad to hear.

there sure seems to be a lot of incidents this year (people dying, missing etc).