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SUMMIT COUNTY — The search for Arizona man Melvin Heaps resumed Saturday at 7 a.m., but organizers announced volunteers would not be searching on Sunday.
Heaps, 74, was reported missing on July 31 after he did not return from a day hike near the Crystal Lake trailhead. Search and rescue crews began searching for him early Tuesday morning.
More than 150 volunteers had shown up since 12:15 p.m. Saturday to help with the search, officials said
The Garrett Bardsley Foundation, a group that assists search efforts for people missing in wilderness areas, helped with Saturday’s search.
Toby Hawkins, who searched with the foundation Saturday, knows what the Heaps family is going through. In 2005, Hawkins' son went missing in the Uintas and was later found alive.
"They know that there are many people behind the scenes who are doing everything they can to find (Heaps)," he said of the family.
The search for Melvin Heaps resumed this morning at 7am. Volunteers check in with The Garrett Bardsley Foundation at trailhead#HopeForHeaps
— Sheriff Justin (@SummitCountySO) August 5, 2017
Heaps' wife, Margo, is grateful for the volunteers and their efforts during the search.
"When we drove in and I saw all of the cars, I absolutely teared up because of all the people who are coming out to help me and my family with this hard time," she said.
Heaps is a Caucasian male with brown hair and blue eyes. He is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 175 pounds. Heaps is believed to be wearing a red long sleeve shirt and blue jeans with suspenders, according to police. He typically hikes with a straw hat.
Anyone with information as to his whereabouts can call the Summit County Sheriff's Office at 435-615-3600 or 435-615-3520.
Contributing: Alex Cabrero
