FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Authorities in Coconino County are searching for a 20-year-old hiker who's been missing since Friday.
Axel Brugere went out hiking on the A.B. Young Trail in the East Pocket area with a friend and later got separated from his companion, according to the Coconino County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities believe Brugere got lost in the wilderness since he's not familiar with the area.
Officials said Brugere and his hiking partner, John Piekarz, reached the top of the trail around 1 p.m. Friday. Authorities said Piekarz decided to explore the area at the top while Brugere stayed behind. When Piekarz returned 30 minutes later, Brugere was gone.
While becoming disoriented, officials said Piekarz searched for Brugere, eventually making it to the bottom of the trail by 11 p.m. but was not able to find him.
Having no phone or keys to the vehicle, authorities said Piekarz slept at the trailhead overnight then caught a ride to his job in Flagstaff where he called CCSO to report Brugere missing.
Brugere is described as 5 foot 9 inches tall, 140 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. He was wearing red shorts at the time of his disappearance.
According to a LinkedIn page made under Brugere's name, the missing hiker is studying psychology at Northern Arizona University.
Anyone with information about Brugere can contact CCSO at 928-774-4523.
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