Search continues in Craters

The search for Dr. Jodean Elliott Blakeslee continued at Craters of the Moon National Monument Saturday. It marked the fifth day of the search, which doesn’t seem to be getting any easier.

Blakeslee and her hiking companion, Amy Linkert, did not return home as scheduled after visiting the monument.

After days of searching and much anticipation, Public Information Officer for the National Parks Service Traci Weaver said the rescue is looking meek.

“It’s broken terrain, lots of holes, lots of caves and lots of crevasses,” said Weaver.

With 750,000 acres of land to cover, park officials say that there are many places that could be shielding searchers from finding Blackeslee. Until Friday, officials thought they were looking for Amy Linkert. Linkert’s body was found Wednesday and misidentified as Blackeslee.

“This is not like searching a football field, its very rugged terrain,” said Weaver.

The women were apparently going hiking and had parked their trailer at a campground in Arco. Their dogs, cell phones and other personal items were found inside their pickup. He believes the women were making a day-trip hike and there was no indication of foul play.

Officials say they will continue to search as long as the weather allows them to do so.