Police and Search and Rescue teams are combing multiple parts of central Vancouver Island after an experienced hiker went missing during a planned expedition last week.
64-year-old Laurence Philippsen had set out on his hike on June 29 with a planned expedition in Strathcona Park to the mountain range that included Mt. Laing, Mt Filberg, Mt Cobb and Mt. Haig-Brown.
He was expected to return on July 2, but has not yet been seen or heard from.
Right after his expected return date, Nootka Sound RCMP were notified and initiated a search after finding Philippsen’s vehicle at his planned parking spot.
According to RCMP, Philippsen had been planning for this trip for a long time and had all the necessary equipment as he is an avid and experienced hiker.
Campbell River Search and Rescue and multiple other search groups in partnership with the RCMP Air Services Section, RCMP Police dog services and the Nootka Sound RCMP, have been conducting an ongoing multi-day air and ground search in efforts to locate him.
Philippsen is described as a Caucasian man standing 5’6″ tall, weighing 160 lbs, with short, silver hair, glasses, and a large scar on his back from a previous surgery.
He was last seen waring a blue T-shirt, blue fleece sweater, beige hiking pants, a large beige hiking pack, and was also carrying a red tent for shelter.
Anyone who has had any conversations with Laurence Philippsen about this particular trip is asked to contact Nootka Sound RCMP 250-283-2227.
RCMP say any detail may help narrow the search area of this very vast mountainous area.
