St. John's family of missing hiker in B.C. remains confident he will be found safe

The sister of a man who is missing in British Columbia says it's hard to piece together what's happening on the other side of the country as search and rescue teams, family and friendscontinue to look for him.

Jordan Naterer, 25, originally from St. John's and now living in B.C., went on a hike over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and after he missed a dinner with his friends, they became concerned, his sister says.

"He told me on Friday night that he would be going foran overnight hike in the mountains, and when he didn't show up for Thanksgiving dinner on Monday his friends knew something was wrong," JuliaNaterer told CBC News on Thursday.

"I woke up on Tuesday morning to my mom saying, 'Julia, there's a police officer in British Columbia on the phone. They need to talk to you. Jordan has gone missing."

On Tuesday the Vancouver Police Department told CBC News,"Investigators believe this was a hiking trip that went poorly."

Jordan Naterer's black 2016 Honda Civic with B.C. licence plate LA2 48Wwas found about 200 kilometreseastof Vancouverat the Frosty Mountain trail head.

"Today they're sending out seven different search and rescue teams in different areas of Manning Park. They have four helicopters that they're sending up as well. They have dogs there, and ATVswith more people looking for him," Julia Naterer said.

Naterer's father left St. John's immediately to help in the search, and his mother flew out Thursday morning.

Confidence remains high in scary situation

Julia Naterer says her brother is extremely smart, withsome hiking experience on trails in and around St. John's. She said she's confidenther brother can survive this long in the wilderness, but added she doesn't think he has ever done an overnight trip, and certainly notonealone.

"It is a bit scary, because he isn't the most experienced. At this point he must have had to have used some navigation skills, which I'm not really sure he has," she said.

Julia Naterer said it also snowed in the mountains over the weekend, making it difficult for civilians to join the effort as trail conditions remain tough.

But she said she'scomforted by the constant contact she has with friends of her brother who are on the ground and helping in the search.

She also said the experience of search and rescue teams in British Columbia that consistently respond to similar callshas been a huge boost to her confidence Jordan will be found safe.

"The search and rescue teams in British Columbia are some of the best in the country," she said. "We're confidentthat between Jordan and the search and rescue teams, and the amount of people that are supporting us, that we'll be able to find him."

Jordan Natererwas last seen wearing black pants, white running shoesand carrying a large olive green camping backpack. Julia Naterer saidhe could be alsowearing black hiking bootsand also carrying a blue sleeping bag and red sleeping pad. She saidanother hiker spotted him on a trail around 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

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