Body of hiker missing for two weeks found on Mount Appleton in Olympic National Park

Search and rescue teams traced the body of Neil Gehring from Olympic National Park after a two-week search.

The body was discovered on the northwest slop of Mount Appleton on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

Gehring went missing after he left the Madison Falls Trailhead in ONP on August 31, 2026.

However, the 26-year-old was reported missing on September 2 after he didn’t return as expected, prompting search and rescue efforts.

Gehring had planned to spend one night on a backpacking trip during his cross-country traverse from Boulder Lake to Appleton Pass.

According to the Olympic National Park, the search and rescue teams located Gehring's body with the help of cellular phone location data on the evening of September 13.

“Searchers located Gehring after receiving and analysing additional cellphone location data,” the statement said.

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team responded to the State Emergency Operations Centre after receiving a request for assistance in locating missing Gehring.

The four-day intensive search and rescue mission involved the use of helicopters, drones and K9s.

His remains were taken to the Clallam County Coroner’s Office, where an autopsy report is pending.