UPDATE | Active searching for missing hiker on hold

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The search for a missing hiker in Olympic National Park was scaled back late last week.

Laura Macke, 35, was reported missing Wednesday, Nov. 2.

Macke had a backcountry permit for Oct. 30 to Oct. 31, according to Olympic National Park, and was traveling solo with an intended route to the Enchanted Valley, with a stop to camp at Pyrites Creek.

Olympic National Park officials said Nov. 10 the search had “moved into a limited and continuous operation.”

Active searching was called off, but officials added that searching would continue as weather, environmental conditions, and other factors allow.

A hasty search was launched after Macke went missing two weeks ago.

In addition to searchers on the ground, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter was called in for a preliminary search, but officials soon said the search was impeded by changing weather.

As the search expanded, crews used the help of multiple dog teams, drones, boats, and helicopters.

Officials said precipitation and snowfall made it challenging to incorporate aviation into the search effort. There was 12 inches of accumulated snow in the Enchanted Valley area overnight between Nov. 6 and Nov. 7, with temperatures near freezing at Lake Quinault and below freezing in the search area.

Officials noted the search for Macke involved 19 agencies, including personnel from Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic Mountain Rescue, Jefferson County Search and Rescue, Clallam County Search and Rescue, Tacoma Mountain Rescue, Pierce County Search and Rescue, Mason County Search and Rescue, Pierce County German Shepherd Search Dogs, Snohomish County German Shepherd Search Dogs, Kitsap County Search and Rescue K9, Mason County Search and Rescue K9, Pierce County Explorers Search and Rescue, Kitsap County Explorers Search and Rescue, Quinault Indian Nation’s Wildlife Enforcement Program, and the Washington State Search and Rescue Planning Unit.