Account
Dec 21, 2013
May 30, 2023
Chet
Hanson
54
27
70 inches
170 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
In the autumn of 1997, a talented 27-year-old nature photographer named Chet Hanson embarked on what should have been a routine day trip into the scenic expanse of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. On the morning of November 11, Chet left his home in Wilkeson, telling his mother he would be back for dinner. An avid and experienced hiker who knew the area well, he set out with about 35 pounds of camera equipment, intending to capture the beauty of the park's waterfalls and lakes. He was dressed lightly for a day hike, wearing shorts, a fleece, and hiking boots. When he failed to return that evening, his family initially thought he might have stayed with friends. The concern grew when his employer, Alaska Airlines, reported him absent from his shift the following day, officially setting in motion the search for the missing photographer. The search began with friends and family, who soon located Chet's vehicle at the Deer Creek Falls Trailhead. Inside the car, investigators found some photo negatives, a key ring, a glasses case, and miscellaneous papers, but no sign of Chet or his extensive camera gear. The negatives suggested he had been in the Tipsoo Lake area and along Highway 410. A significant lead emerged when two hikers reported seeing a man matching Chet's description at Shriner Peak around noon on the day he disappeared. This information, combined with Chet's recent focus on photographing waterfalls and lakes, helped guide the search efforts. Despite being a strong hiker who often ventured off-trail, the lack of any trace was perplexing. An intensive search operation was launched, involving park rangers, volunteers, search and rescue teams, dogs, and aircraft. Over 100 searchers, including those with sniffer and cadaver dogs, scoured the rugged terrain. However, the vast and challenging landscape of Mount Rainier National Park yielded no clues. Neither Chet nor any piece of his valuable camera equipment has ever been found. The official search was suspended after several days due to harsh weather conditions, including below-freezing overnight temperatures and fresh snowfall, which made continued efforts perilous and unlikely to succeed. The case grew cold, leaving behind a profound sense of loss and a lingering mystery. The complete absence of any evidence—no dropped equipment, no clothing, no sign of a struggle—is a particularly haunting aspect of his disappearance in the vast wilderness of Mount Rainier.
Nov 11, 1997
Mount Ranier
Washington
Pierce County
No
22924
National Park Service - Mount Rainier
Ashford
Washington
Pierce County
98304
Lorant Veress
Ranger
55210 238th Avenue East, Washington
3605696612
Federal
Law Enforcement
97-2028
1997-11-11
National Park Service - Mount Rainier
Blond/Strawberry
Unknown
Unknown
No
06/26/2026
