Overdue hiker, 76, found dead in Washington national park

LONGMIRE, Wash. -- Park officials say a 76-year-old hiker has been found dead in Mount Rainier National Park. Park spokeswoman Patti Wold said in a news release Friday that the man set out for a day hike on Mazama Ridge in the Paradise area Wednesday. He was reported overdue the next day.

Search teams found his body Thursday afternoon in the Paradise River drainage. His body was released to the Pierce County Medical Examiner's office.

Park officials said the man, who was not identified, was an experienced hiker in the area. Mazama Ridge is a popular six-mile hike in the park's Paradise area, CBS Seattle affiliate KIRO-TV reports.