Missing North Carolina Man: Hiker Still Lost In California Mountains After 5-Day Trek

A North Carolina man was reported missing while on a five-day hike in California on Aug. 11. Authorities in Trinity County suspended their search Friday but planned to begin again at sunrise on Saturday.

Daniel Komins, 34, began his hike through the Trinity Alps in Northern California on Aug. 10 and was supposed to have returned home by Wednesday. An experienced hiker, Komins was last reported seen on Sunday by other hikers on the trail, the same day that his car was found on the trailhead. He also spoke to his girlfriend that night and informed her that the trip was “going as planned,” according to ABC News.

“Komins is an experienced hiker and an Emergency Medical Technician,” the Trinity County sheriff's office said. “He has with him a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker, which is not presently operating appropriately. Komins also has with him his cellular telephone, which has seen no activity since Aug. 11.”

Approximately 40 individuals were involved in Friday's ground search. This included officials from the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, Trinity County Search, Butte County Search and Rescue, Marin County Search and Rescue, Contra Costa County Search and Rescue and the California Highway Patrol. Individuals who encountered Komins before his disappearance are also being questioned.

“Based on the information provided by these individuals, additional areas have been plotted to be searched, as it appears that Komins may have deviated from his initial itinerary,” officials said.