Michelle Park
The Desert Sun
September 8, 2006
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Searchers have located a lost hiker who was missing for five days in the Mount San Jacinto Wilderness.
Riverside County Sheriff's public information officers confirmed that Wesley Heilhecker, 46, of Moreno Valley, a longtime Walgreens employee who is nearly completely deaf, was located midday today.
Heilhecker seemed in good condition, good spirits and was talking to people, the public information officer said at the base of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
More than 40 search and rescue team members from three counties were looking for Heilhecker, an experienced hiker who became separated from his friend Keith Coward while the two were hiking down a peak in the San Jacintos Monday.
Blackhawk helicopters were brought in to help find Heilhecker, who went up the mountain Monday with a quart of water, some apples, snacks and an extra jacket. Employees at Walgreens have been supplying rescue crews with food and drinks as they searched for him.
Heilhecker was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, officials said. For more updates watch thedesertsun.com and Saturday's Desert Sun.
