Authorities have issued a tragic update in the case of a national park volunteer who went missing last week.
The National Park Service (NPS) announced in a press release that Great Smoky Mountains Park volunteer Amy Houghton, 73, was found dead on Feb. 2. Houghton disappeared between Jan. 28 and Jan. 29 after departing for a hike in North Carolina’s iconic park; she was reported missing on Feb. 1 after her car was found at the Smokemont Campground.
Local authorities and rescue crews immediately began searching for Houghton on Saturday, first clearing the Smokemont area before moving on to areas around the Bradley Fork, Chasteen Creek, Hughes Ridge, and Enloe Creek trails. Recovery crews located Houghton’s body around 2 p.m. local time on Sunday afternoon about a quarter mile off the Enloe Creek trail.
Related: Hiker Dead After Plunging Over Waterfall in National Park
Houghton spent more than two decades as a volunteer with the NPS, working over 4,000 hours in Great Smoky Mountains Park. Though most of her time was spent working in the visitor services center and assisting with resource stewardship, Houghton also logged time as a Trail Maintainer, Cemetery Assistant, Native Plants Gardener, Demonstrator for Special Events, Parkwide Litter Patrol Volunteer, and Leave No Trace Ambassador during her time with the park.
“Ann was an enduring and beloved member of our Smokies Community,” Charles Sellars, acting superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, said in a statement. “She was a dedicated volunteer and avid hiker who shared her passion for the park with many visitors. Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers condolences to her family and friends.”
The NPS is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Houghton’s death.
from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/2WipuXx
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