'We're all really worried': Search for missing mushroom picker underway near Yellowknife

Since this story was firstpublished, the woman was found safe. For details,follow this link

A search is underway for a missing mushroom picker outside of Yellowknife.

Fellow mushroom pickers, who are now volunteering in the search and rescue effort near Reid Lake, told the CBC that the missing woman is an inexperienced picker.

The RCMP say the woman is from Czech Republic. Her fellow pickers sayshe just arrivedlast week and it was only her third day hunting for morels out in the bush.

The group ofmushroom pickers saidthey met in the territory, and travelled here to pick mushrooms as a part of their vacation.

RCMP received a report about the missing woman Tuesday morning. She was last seen at about 4 p.m. on Monday, according to a news release.

A group of pickers who have been camping in the area saidthe woman was out with another mushroom picker, a little over a kilometre away from their campground, near the Camp Connections site.

The individual who last saw her who did not want to be identified said the two got separated when the woman went to look for her backpack.

"She didn't come back," said Celia, another mushroom picker who declined to provide her last name.

"She was caught in the big storm that happened Monday night. So it was a lot of rain," said Celia.

The group went out to search for her after midnight Monday.

"The next day, [a mushroom picker] found her backpack, but not the girl," said Celia.

The group described the woman as in her early 30s and in relatively good shape. She was wearing a long sleeve shirt and pants.

"I just hope she'll be fine because it's a tough environment here," said Celia.

"We're all really worried."

'Challenging search'

About 20 people are involved in the search, including personnel withRCMP,the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association and Yellowknife Search and Rescue, as well as an aircraftsweeping the area.

RCMPsay there's also a chartered helicopter taking part in the search, as well as a drone and theRCMP'sdog unit.

"This is a challenging search and rescue operation due to the huge geographic area to cover and the environmental challenges," a news release issued Wednesday afternoon said.

RCMP are also asking people who are not involved in the search to stay out of the area.

The name of the missing woman has not been released.