A search is underway for an 81-year-old hiker who was last seen at the Rowe Lakes trailhead in Waterton Lakes National Park. The park initially posted a notice on social media that Bob Toothill, 81, was hiking the Great Divide Trail from Waterton to the Crowsnest Pass. Toothill was expected to arrive in Coleman on July 22. Waterton Lakes National Park posted an update Sunday afternoon, saying that Parks Canada team members are concentrating search efforts in the western part of the park. They said that Southwest Alberta Regional Search and Rescue is conducting searches in other areas outside the park. Aerial resources are also being used to support the search. No trail closures are in place at this time. The park also asked the public to not physically search for Toothill. “The most helpful thing the public can do at this time is share official social media posts and information about the search,” they posted. “We discourage volunteer searchers. The terrain being searched is remote, rugged, and mountainous, and unauthorized search efforts could place people at risk and divert critical resources away from the ongoing operation.” Anyone who has seen Toothill since last Sunday, July 19, is asked to contact 1-855-727-6825, Ext. 2.
