Hiker experienced medical issue before going missing in Hatcher Pass, troopers say

Alaska State Troopers say an overdue hiker who was rescued Tuesday experienced a medical issue while hiking near Bomber Glacier in Hatcher Pass over the weekend.

Roberto Zapata, 60, left the Reed Lakes trailhead on Saturday morning with plans to return by Sunday evening, troopers said. He was reported overdue early Monday when his vehicle was found at the trailhead, they said.

The popular trailhead leads to the Upper and Lower Reed Lakes in a 9-mile round trip and also connects to a more strenuous trail that leads to Bomber Glacier.

On Monday and Tuesday, searchers and dogs from a number of agencies and organizations searched the area.

Around 4 p.m. Tuesday, Zapata was located between Bomber Glacier and Upper Reed Lake, said Austin McDaniel, a spokesman for the troopers. He was conscious and stable when he was airlifted from the area by the Alaska National Guard and brought to a hospital for injuries, McDaniel said.

Zapata is believed to have experienced a medical emergency during the hike that prevented him from making it back to the trailhead, McDaniel said. There was no update on his condition Wednesday.