UPDATE: Missing Hiker Near Leavenworth

UPDATE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 3pm

Chelan County Emergency Management has announced missing hiker Chad Pietrok has been found safe after an extensive search effort

27-year-old Chad Pietrok of Portland, Oregon, was last seen on August 11th at the Ingalls Creek trailhead near Highway 97.

Pietrok was beginning a planned 4-day hike of nearly 65 miles through the Ingalls Valley. A 2-1/2 day search effort was initiated on Tuesday this week and covered every portion of Pietrok's planned route, including the use of helicopters, drones, and K9’s.

On Thursday, a hiker reached 911 to report he was with Pietrok on the Jack Creek trail near the trailhead. The overdue hiker was in good condition and explained his hike had taken longer than anticipated through some difficult terrain

Chelan County Emergency Management Sgt. Jason Reinfeld said approximately 70 people and 3 dogs were deployed from over a dozen agencies and volunteer groups from five different counties: Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Chelan County Volunteer Search and Rescue, Chelan County Mountain Rescue, Chelan County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit, Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office, Kittitas County Search and Rescue, Seattle Mountain Rescue, Yakima County Search and Rescue, King County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit, and US Forest Service.

ORIGINAL POST August, 20th

Authorities in Chelan County are asking for the public's assistance in locating a missing hiker.

The Chelan County Sheriff's Office says 27-year-old Chad Pietrok was last seen nine days ago on August 11th at the Ingalls Creek Trailhead.

Pietrok was reportedly planning to hike through Ingalls Creek, the Esmeralda Basin, Vann Epps, Jack Creek, and the Eight Mile Trails and could still be in any of these areas.

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Investigators say Pietrok was last known to be wearing a yellow or orange jacket and carrying a blue backpack and a yellow or gray tent.

Anyone with information regarding Pietrok's current whereabouts or who thinks they've seen him since August 11th is being asked to contact law enforcement.