The state Department of Environmental Conservation sent out a statement this afternoon about the search for Alex Stevens, who has been missing since going on a camping trip in the High Peaks Wilderness on September 2. The press release contains very little new information, other than noting that searchers found another personal item from Stevens atop Wallface, where searchers believe they found a campsite of his earlier this week. DEC Spokesman Dave Winchell was unable to provide additional details in a follow-up call to the statement. He refer questions to the state police, the lead agency in the case. State police spokesperson Jennifer Fleishman was unavailable to take questions. Here’s the press release:
The ongoing search for Alex Stevens ended on Thursday without locating the subject. However, searchers found a personal item belonging to Stevens near the summit of Wallface Mountain. By the end of the day Thursday, an estimated 1,152 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Ranger hours and 242 volunteer hours had been expended over four days of search efforts. During that period, searchers covered 271 total miles while searching an estimated 401 acres of rugged mountain terrain. K9 units searched more than 11 miles in this period.
DEC is asking anyone who may have seen Stevens or has information about his whereabouts to contact the New York State Police at 518-897-2000.
The search continues today, Friday, Sept. 15, with 26 DEC Forest Rangers searching previously unsearched areas on the north side of Wallface Mountain and in the Indian Pass Brook drainage north of the mountain. Six Forest Rangers from outside DEC Region 5 joined the search effort. Two State Police K9 units are also participating. A State Police helicopter continues to transport searchers to and from the search area.
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Forest Rangers have established a base camp at Scott Pond. A team of Forest Rangers will work out of this base camp through the weekend if Mr. Stevens is not located today, eliminating the time expended to transport searchers to and from the search site and allowing Forest Rangers to conduct longer search operations over the next two days.
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Adirondack Amateur Radio Association, Newcomb Fire Department, the town of Newcomb, and Newcomb Central School are providing logistical support.
State Police Investigators and Hopewell Township (NJ) Police Department continue their investigation.
Alex Stevens is a 28-year-old, 5 foot 11 inch, 220-pound, white male with blue eyes and brown hair. He was last seen on September 2nd near the base of Wallface Mountain wearing sandals, shorts, and a dark blue t-shirt. He may be carrying a green-colored, light backpack. Stevens wears glasses and has longer hair that he typically wears in a bun.
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