Account
Nov 05, 2016
May 25, 2023
Kris
Fowler
42
34
74 inches
77 inches
150 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
In the autumn of 2016, a 34-year-old man named Kris Fowler, known to fellow hikers as "Sherpa," was nearing the end of a monumental journey. He had spent the previous five months hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, a trek that spans from the Mexico border to Canada. Having already conquered over 2,000 miles, he found himself in Washington, with the finish line almost in sight. On October 12, 2016, Kris was at White Pass, a stop for hikers to rest and resupply. It was here that the trail of his whereabouts grows cold. After being seen at a convenience store near the trailhead, he seemingly vanished. He had made a commitment to his family to check in every two weeks, a promise he had kept throughout his entire journey until that point. When weeks passed without a word, his family's concern grew into a heartbreaking certainty that something was wrong. The days leading up to Kris's disappearance were marked by an impending sense of urgency and concern over the weather. A significant storm, described by some as being like a typhoon, was bearing down on the region, bringing with it harsh conditions of wind, rain, and cold. Other hikers reported that Kris was aware of the incoming storm and had expressed his concerns. Despite this, it is believed he headed back out onto the trail from White Pass on October 12th. His last known cell phone activity was a ping in that same area around 5 p.m. He had also attempted to call his father but was unable to get through. In the days and weeks that followed, unconfirmed sightings were reported, one as far as 62 miles north of White Pass, but none could be substantiated. Extensive search efforts were launched by authorities and volunteers, covering vast and rugged terrain between White Pass and the Canadian border, but no trace of Kris or his belongings has ever been found. The official search was eventually suspended due to the dangerous weather conditions. The disappearance of Kris Fowler has left a void in the hearts of his family and friends, who continue to search for answers. Sadly, his father passed away in 2017, never knowing what became of his son. The case remains an active missing person investigation, a painful mystery of a man who embarked on a journey of a lifetime only to disappear just shy of his destination. The circumstances surrounding his vanishing act as a stark reminder of the unforgiving power of nature and the fragility of life on the trail.
Oct 12, 2016
White Pass
Washington
Yakima County
No
25354
Yakima County Sheriff's Office
Yakima
Washington
Yakima County
98903
Randy Briscoe
Sgt.
1822 South 1st Street, Washington
5095742500
County
Law Enforcement
16C-18926
Yakima County Sheriff's Office
Blond/Strawberry
Blue
Blue
06/11/2026
