NIPAWIN, Sask. -- A search is underway for a 78-year-old mushroom picker in an isolated area of northern Saskatchewan.

RCMP say Tony Olekas left Nipawin on July 18 and was last heard from on Friday.

The search for Olekas includes Mounties from the La Ronge and Nipawin detachments, the search-and-rescue unit and the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association.

Police are stressing that the region is very remote with limited cellphone coverage and people unfamiliar with the area should not help search for safety reasons.

They are asking anyone with a cabin in the area to report any suspicious activity.

Olekas is described as being five-foot-11 tall with a medium build and short grey hair.

He was last seen wearing dark-coloured work clothes.