Search For Missing Hiker Scaled Back

On Tuesday, May 26th, the park was notified that 69-year-old Robert Williams of Surprise, Arizona, had not returned from a Memorial Day weekend trip and that his holiday plans had included hiking in Grand Canyon. On Wednesday, Williams’ car was found in the park, indicating that he might still be in the Grand Canyon backcountry.  With no backcountry permit or known itinerary to work from, rangers began searching a broad area from Hermit Basin, located west of Grand Canyon Village, to the South Kaibab area east of the village. The trails throughout this area could easily be accessed on foot or via shuttle from the point where Williams’ car was found. On Friday, rangers were able to narrow their search to the Hermit Basin area based on information received after issuing a public request for assistance from anyone who had hiked in the park’s backcountry during the Memorial Day weekend. An extensive search by helicopter observers, ground searchers, and a dog team has so far yielded no additional clues as to Williams’ whereabouts. A decision was therefore made on Saturday to begin scaling back search operations. This decision was based on the totality of circumstances, including the rugged and steep terrain, the length of time that Williams has been missing (he was last seen on Saturday, May 23rd), and the number of hikers and searchers who have passed through the area without finding any indications as to Williams’ whereabouts. Rangers will continue to use dogs and search on foot on a limited basis to examine cliff areas where a fall might have occurred. The park appreciates the assistance provided by local and national media in reaching out to the public for information about Williams’ activities in the park.  Lisa Clarke, Williams’ daughter and the family’s spokesperson, had this to say: “My family and I want to thank those people who saw the initial news release about the search for my father and took the time to call in and share some very helpful information.”