UPDATE: HCSO says the two have been located:
Rita and Allen were found alive and well by search teams at about 11:45 a.m. May 28.
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Original Post: Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
A search and rescue for two missing hikers is currently underway in the Orick area.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is searching for hikers Rita Perez and Allen Walsh, both of Nevada, who were last seen in the area of the Redwood Creek Trail.
According to the reporting party, the two hikers embarked on an overnight hike of the trail on Tuesday, May 26. The hikers were expected to reunite with the reporting party in the area of the Elam Horse Campground on Wednesday, May 27, however, the two did not return at the agreed upon time.
Humboldt County Sheriff’s Special Services deputies, the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Posse, State Parks and Forest Service rangers are currently searching the area for the hikers.
Rita Perez is described as a Hispanic female, age 27, approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall, 115 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a gray long sleeve shirt, gray-green pants, gray boots and a gray-pink North Face backpack.
Allen Walsh is described as a white male in his 30’s, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, 175 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue beanie, blue fleece shirt/jacket, gray pants, brown boots and a blue backpack.
Anyone with information regarding the hikers’ whereabouts should contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251.