In a concerning turn of events, 19-year-old McKenna Miner from Provo, Utah, has been reported missing since the evening of January 28, 2024, after she went hiking in American Fork Canyon. Her last known communication occurred on Sunday afternoon, and by Tuesday, January 30, authorities were alerted to her disappearance.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office, upon receiving the report of Miner’s absence, discovered her car parked at Tibble Fork Reservoir in American Fork Canyon. This discovery has led to an extensive search operation in the area. The search, which involves around 40 to 50 people, includes members from the Utah County Sheriff Search and Rescue team, the Mounted Posse, and a pilot in an airplane. The Mounted Posse, comprising 32 members on horseback, specializes in conducting mountain searches for lost or injured hikers.
Sgt. Spencer Cannon from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office highlighted the challenges faced due to the cold weather conditions in the canyon, noting that the temperatures can drop to single digits at night. These conditions have led to the consideration of conducting 24-hour search operations.
Miner’s family last spoke with her at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 28. As of the latest reports, the search efforts continue with no discussion of calling off the search or transitioning it into a recovery mission. The current focus is on a rescue operation, with hope still held for locating Miner safe.
This incident has raised concerns about the safety of hiking alone in such areas, especially during winter when weather conditions can rapidly change and become hazardous. The closure of Tibble Fork Canyon, while not explicitly stated as related to the search, further emphasizes the seriousness of the situation.
The search efforts for McKenna Miner are a stark reminder of the unpredictability and potential dangers of outdoor activities in mountainous and wilderness areas. As the search continues, the community holds onto hope for a positive outcome.
Sources: Herald Extra and KSL.com.
As the search for McKenna Miner continues, another hiker has gone missing in a different area. The authorities are asking for the public’s help to locate the unidentified hiker, who was last seen near Westside Park Atlanta. More information about this case can be found at West Side Park Atl.