Gary Fisk Missing Person Case

Oct 17, 2021

Dec 26, 2023

Gary

Fisk

78

74

72 inches

180 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the vast and challenging wilderness of Alaska, a 74-year-old experienced outdoorsman named Gary Fisk embarked on a solo hike on September 21, 2021. He was last seen in Girdwood, Alaska, at the trailhead of the Crow Pass Trail, a rugged and demanding path stretching over 26 miles through the Chugach State Park. Fisk, a resident of Eagle River, was well-prepared for his journey, carrying a small backpack and a sleeping bag. His plan was to traverse the trail and arrive at the Eagle River Nature Center two days later. He was reportedly wearing a red synthetic shirt, greenish-beige hiking pants, a blue jacket, and ankle-high hiking boots. The Crow Pass Trail is known for its breathtaking scenery, including glaciers, waterfalls, and stunning alpine vistas. However, it is also an undeveloped and strenuous route, with an elevation gain of over 3,000 feet, requiring hikers to scramble over rocks, use ladders and ropes, and cross a swift, cold river. On the day Fisk began his hike, the weather conditions were already deteriorating, with snow falling at the trailhead. Shortly after his departure, a significant storm moved into the area, bringing heavy snowfall and creating treacherous conditions on the trail. The mountain range he was hiking in received more than a foot of snow, which likely obscured the path and increased the difficulty of his journey. When Gary Fisk did not arrive at the Eagle River Nature Center as planned, authorities were alerted, and a search was initiated. State park rangers and volunteer groups, including the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group, conducted extensive search and rescue operations. Despite their efforts, which involved ground crews, ATVs, and helicopters, the initial searches were hampered by low cloud cover and poor weather. Rescue crews managed to cover the entire 26-mile trail on foot twice but found no sign of the missing hiker. The official search was eventually suspended as authorities sought to develop a new strategy. The case remains a poignant reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Alaskan wilderness. Even for an experienced outdoorsman like Fisk, the combination of a challenging trail and severe, unexpected weather proved to be an overwhelming obstacle, leaving his whereabouts unknown and his case unresolved.

Sep 21, 2021

Girdwood

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

No

108244

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

AK21111777

2021-09-23

Alaska State Troopers

na

Gray or Partially Gray

Blue

Blue

07/10/2026