Friends, family members, and search and rescue crews are working around the clock to locate Alex Keen, a hiker who went missing after setting out on a solo hiking trip Saturday morning, May 9.
Keen, connected to the Seattle-Tacoma area, failed to return home and did not show up for his scheduled skydiving shift at Snohomish Airport the following day, raising immediate alarm among those who know him.
The search began with limited information. Early reports suggested Keen may have been headed toward Mount Poe in Chelan County, prompting initial outreach to Chelan County Search and Rescue.
However, the situation shifted quickly when Keen’s vehicle was discovered at the Mount Pugh Trailhead in Snohomish County, redirecting the entire operation to that area and its surrounding wilderness.
Statewide Team Deployed as Search Expands
Snohomish County Search and Rescue has since taken the lead on the operation, activating a statewide team to assist with the effort. Helicopters have been conducting aerial sweeps while ground crews push through what locals describe as steep, rugged, and unforgiving terrain.
The search has continued through both day and night, with crews committed to staying in the field until Keen is located.
Ryan Miller, a close friend who has been coordinating much of the public outreach, shared updates on social media urging anyone who hiked in the Mount Pugh area around the same time to come forward.
Keen’s aunt, Karin Vierling Clemetson, has also been vocal on social media, pleading with the public to keep sharing information and to pray for her nephew’s safe return.
Those who know Keen describe him as an experienced outdoorsman with a genuine love for hiking and the outdoors, which has made his extended silence even more troubling to the people closest to him. As of the latest update, there has been no contact with him for well over 48 hours.
Community Rallies Behind Family
The response from the community has been immediate and widespread. Hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, and local residents have been sharing information across Facebook groups, including the Washington Hikers and Climbers page and the PNW Outdoor Women Group, in an effort to reach anyone who might have crossed paths with Keen on the trail.
Multiple people with backgrounds in search coordination and outdoor rescue have also stepped forward, offering assistance.
Authorities and family members are asking anyone who was in or around the Mount Pugh area between May 9 and May 11 to contact local law enforcement or Snohomish County Search and Rescue directly.
Any detail, no matter how small, could help crews pinpoint where Keen may have gone after leaving his vehicle at the trailhead.
As rescue teams continue their search, those who love Alex Keen are holding tightly to hope, waiting for the news they are praying for.
