39-year-old Robert Schock was discovered alive on August 30, 2024, nearly a month after he went missing in North Cascades National Park, Washington. A Pacific Northwest Trail Association (PNTA) crew found Schock, who was last seen on July 31 near the Chilliwack River, in dire condition.
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Jeff Kish, Executive Director of the PNTA, posted a statement on Facebook detailing the rescue. According to Kish, the PNTA crew had just completed a 10-hour workday when they heard an unusual sound near the Chilliwack River. Upon investigation, they discovered Schock, who was half a mile off the trail, immobile and exposed to the elements.
The trained Wilderness First Responder crew from the PNTA provided critical aid to Schock for several hours before they could arrange a helicopter evacuation. Kish emphasized that Schock’s condition was severe, stating that rescuers believed he may have only survived another day if not found.
I feel compelled to make this statement in regard to the rescue of the missing hiker, Robert Schock, in North Cascades…
Posted by Jeff Kish on Wednesday 4 September 2024
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Schock reportedly told his rescuers that he had been immobile in the same spot for approximately two weeks. The hiker’s mother, Jan Thompson, confirmed that while her son was weak from malnourishment, he was fortunately uninjured.
Following Schock’s disappearance, search teams conducted multiple professional searches, including ground and air operations. Despite these efforts, Schock remained undiscovered until the PNTA crew’s chance encounter.
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The Chilliwack River Trail, where Schock went missing, is rated as ‘hard’ by the Washington Trails Association. It includes a challenging river crossing with a hand-pulled cable car, and part of the trail was closed due to wildfire damage.
Schock is currently recovering in the hospital. His parents are giving him time to readjust before visiting.
