A mother is looking for her son after he went missing in the North Cascades at the end of July.
Robert Schock, 39, was last seen at the 5-mile mark of the Chilliwack River Trail with his dog, Freddy, on July 31, according to his mom, Jan Thompson.
Five days later on Aug. 4, Thompson said she was contacted by the Whatcom County Humane Society because the dog had been found the day before on the trail by a forest ranger. The dog was found around the 8-mile mark.
Thompson reported her son missing on Aug. 5 and was contacted by a deputy from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
She said three searches of the 17-mile trail were conducted, including a helicopter search, but her son hasn’t been found.
Deb Slater, the public information officer for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, said the searches took place on Aug. 7, Aug. 15 and Aug. 16. Deputies and North Cascades National Park Rangers searched the area, including a mile radius foot search along Easy Creek and a detailed ground search up to Hannegan Pass.
On Friday, Aug. 16, US Border Patrol conducted an air search of Chilliwack Basin and a ground search near where the dog was found, according to Slater.
No clues were found in any of the searches, according to Slater.
Hikers who saw Schock told law enforcement that he didn’t have any overnight equipment, according to Slater.
“Rob wouldn’t leave his dog,” Thompson said, adding she’s contacted the Forest Service about posting missing notices.
Thompson, who lives in North Carolina, said the last time she spoke with her son was the day before he went on the trail.
Schock’s car was found at the trailhead, Thompson said. His wallet was on the dashboard.
Schock has lived in Mount Vernon in the past and frequently visits the area to camp.
The Chilliwack River Trail has a difficulty rating of hard, according to the Washington Trails Association. It starts at the Hannegan Pass Trailhead and after 5 miles, the trail forks to the right, becoming the Chilliwack River Trail.
Five miles after the fork is a river crossing. There is no bridge and hikers are encouraged to use the hand-pulled cable car. However, the trail to the east of the cable car is closed due to the Chilliwack wildfire.
Schock is described as being 5’10” with a muscular build. He has dark brown hair, a beard and usually wears a baseball cap. He has blue eyes and olive skin. If you’ve seen Schock or have information about where he was on July 31, you’re encouraged to call the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department and reference case No. 24A26368.
All WCSO deputies, NCNP rangers and Search and Rescue personnel have been notified about Schock’s disappearance in the remote areas of the North Cascades National Park and US Forest Service and National Forest Service lands, according to Slater.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
