Monterey County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Team Continues Search Efforts for Missing Hiker Caroline Meister

 

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team, along with over 60 additional search and rescue personnel

from other agencies are continuing their search efforts for missing hiker Caroline Meister. Although rain is expected in the

area on Friday, March 23 and Saturday, Macrh 24 search and rescue team members are trained to be able to continue searching under

these conditions.

Caroline Meister went missing n Monday, March 18, 2024 after leaving the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center at 10:00 AM that morning for

what was believed to be a day hike but did not return. 30-year-old Caroline Meister is described as a white female adult, 5-

06, 150 pounds. She has long brown wavy hair that is likely pulled up. She was last seen wearing teal-colored boots and

carrying a blue bag. She was reported to have only taken snacks for a day hike and did not take clothing or equipment for

an overnight hike.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team along with Search and Rescue teams from Solano County,

Santa Clara County, California Search and Rescue, Bay Area Mountain Rescue, Marina County, Contra Costa County and

Napa County have been searching for several days. Additional resources have been provided by the Monterey County

Sheriff’s Office Drone Team, California Highway Patrol, CARDA (K9 unit), FIRIS (Heat Sensing Aircraft) and the California

Office of Emergency Services.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has been receiving calls and messages from all across California and across the

country from people wishing to help in the search efforts. All members of our Search and Rescue teams are tracked and

their locations are known. If a person who is not part of our search team enters the area, heat sensing technology that is

being used would not be able to confirm who that person is. This would require search teams to divert and confirm if this is

our missing hiker which would hinder our search efforts. We are grateful for the offers to assist but respectfully request

that the public remain clear of the search area. If this changes, we will inform the public via the media and social media.

The American Red Cross has been providing food and beverages for our search teams. Anyone wishing to donate to these

efforts is asked to contact the American Red Cross.

Any persons who may have been hiking in the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center Area on March 18, 2024 who may

have seen Caroline Meister to please contact our office at 831-755-5111 with information that could help us in locating her.