Authorities search for doctor missing in Alaska after embarking on hike

Alaskan authorities are searching for a 62-year-old pistillate who disembarked from a cruise vessel for a hike and did not return. 

Marites Buenafe — who is listed connected the University of Kentucky Healthcare system's website arsenic a doc — was traveling aboard the Norwegian Bliss, according to a missing persons bulletin issued by the Alaska State Troopers. The vessel was connected a week-long round-trip circuit of Alaska that departed from Seattle, according to vessel tracking tract CruiseMapper. 

Around 7:30 a.m. section clip connected July 1, Buenafe texted household members that she was heading up Mount Roberts Tramway successful Juneau and would hike from Gold Ridge to Gastineau Peak, the bulletin said. Security footage showed Buenafe astatine the apical of the tramway astir that aforesaid time. Hiking website AllTrails describes the hike arsenic a challenging but fashionable 4.1 mile trek that usually takes astir 3 hours to complete. 

The cruise vessel was scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. departure, according to the information bulletin. At astir 3:15, Buenafe was reported missing. Alaska Wildlife Troopers were alerted to her disappearance soon afterwards, according to a news merchandise from the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Juneau Mountain Rescue conducted a crushed hunt and utilized thermal drones to scan the area, the bureau said. An Alaska Wildlife Troopers chopper and a U.S. Coast Guard chopper besides conducted aerial searches, the section said. 

An undated photograph of Marites Buenafe. Alaska State Troopers

On July 2, the hunt continued. The efforts included implicit a twelve nonrecreational volunteers, Juneau constabulary officers, Alaska authorities troopers and Juneau Mountain Rescue. Searchers utilized drones, crushed teams and K-9 assets, but recovered nary motion of Buenafe. Weather conditions meant lone constricted chopper searches could beryllium conducted aboriginal successful the day.

The hunt resumed again connected July 3. The efforts stay ongoing. 

Buenafe is described arsenic a five-foot pistillate weighing astir 118 pounds, with achromatic hairsbreadth and brownish eyes. She has nary notable scars, marks oregon tattoos, according to the missing persons poster. 

Anyone with accusation astir Buenafe is asked to interaction the Alaska State Troopers successful Juneau astatine 907-465-4000 and notation incidental AK25063914. 

Department of Public Safety spokesperson Austin McDaniel told CBS affiliate KYES that radical traveling successful backcountry oregon going connected agelong hikes should pass idiosyncratic wherever they are going, erstwhile they program to instrumentality and what they are wearing. They should besides see bringing an further connection instrumentality successful lawsuit determination is nary compartment service. 

• Cruise
• Cruise Ship
• Missing Person
• Alaska