Search for hiker suspended

MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, Wash. -- Rescuers on Mount Rainier have suspended their search for a well-known, 70-year-old outdoors writer who hasn't been seen since she separated from her hiking partner Wednesday.

The National Park Service didn't give an explanation and said it would release more information as it could. Karen Sykes reportedly was working on a story when she and her partner encountered snow about 5,000 feet. Her partner stayed as she went on, with the idea they'd reconvene, but she never turned up.

Six ground crews combed an expanded search area near the Owyhigh Lakes Trail on Rainier's east side Saturday.