A hiker has now been missing for almost a week in Desolation Wilderness, near Lake Tahoe, California, prompting a massive search in the area. 60-year-old Jason Coughran likely started hiking from Fallen Leaf Lake on Monday, May 25, before venturing into Desolation Wilderness, where he hasn’t been seen or heard from since sometime around Monday afternoon. As of Saturday night, May 30, 192 personnel are assigned to this search and rescue effort from over 25 local agencies and community partners, according to El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.
On Saturday, an Air National Guard CH-47 Chinook Helicopter transported 80 search and rescue volunteers into Desolation Wilderness. In addition, 60 more volunteers entered the extended search area by vehicle. Of those 100+ people, 50 stayed in the wilderness overnight, continuing to search for any clues to Jason Coughran’s whereabouts. Jason may have been in khaki shorts, and is described as an athletic 150-pound, 6-foot-2 white male with hazel eyes and brown hair.
Desolation Wilderness is an expansive area outside of South-West Lake Tahoe that covers more than 60,000 acres of land in the Eldorado National Forest. The terrain is quite rugged, and the weather at higher elevations is very unpredictable and can change quickly, especially during this time of the year. On Wednesday-Friday, May 27-29, the region saw freezing temperatures and a few inches of snow, making conditions that much more severe and challenging.
As the search for Jason Coughran continues, authorities are asking for help from the public. If you were around the areas of Fallen Leaf Lake, Desolation Wilderness, and/or Angora Peak on or since Monday, and possibly saw Coughran, please contact El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 621-6600 or (530) 573-3051, with case number 26-3613. Sharing this information can help rescuers reach further into the outdoor communities for any possible leads.
