Search intensifies for Seattle hiker missing since August 1

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. -- Nearly 7,000 people have joined a Facebook group with the goal of finding Sam Sayers. The 27-year-old went on a day hike at Vesper Peak in the North Cascades last Wednesday and did not return home.

On Monday, King County Search and Rescue said they conducted an air search of the mountain using thermal imaging cameras. Over the weekend, SNOHAWK1 searched for 33 hours. Several trained SAR K9 teams and volunteers from across the state also helped with search operation Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

"She needs to know we're coming," Sam's mother Lisa Sayers told Q13 News.

Lisa described her daughter as a research junkie who loves being in the mountains.

Sam left on a solo hike at 8 a.m. on August 1. When she didn't return home her boyfriend called 911.

Lisa said her daughter hiked Vesper Peak three or four times before. She said her daughter was very familiar with nature and had hiked several trails in the Grand Canyon.



One group of hikers reported seeing Sam on her way up Vesper Peak around mid-morning on Wednesday. Another hiker reported seeing Sayers during her hike on Wednesday and said they ate lunch together. Sam was also spotted walking south from the summit.

On Friday, Sam's phone pinged a cell tower on the mountain. Her car was also found at the Vesper Peak trailhead.

"Do we have our moments of sadness? Yes! This is the most painful thing I've ever been through. And I've been through cancer," Lisa said. "I would do cancer again over this. She is my daughter and I won't stop looking for her until she is home. "

Vesper Peak is about 75 miles Northeast of Seattle.