Minn. professor still missing in Utah desert

National park officials in Utah say hopes are fading for the safe return of a missing St. Cloud State University biology professor in Utah.

65-year-old Jerry Wolff left on May 10th on a solo trek in Canyonlands National Park. When he did not return on the 15th, as planned, park officials began an extensive ground and air search.

Park spokesman, Paul Henderson, says the ongoing searches have turned up nothing. Wolff's recreational permit expired May 15th. Henderson says when Wolff did not return, an extensive ground and air search was conducted.

"There's kind of a diminishing point of returns here with no evidence of where he is. We have scaled back the search. Obviously, we've still got park visitors in the area. We've got information posted at all entry points," Henderson said.

Wolff's family says he is an avid outdoorsman and an experienced hiker. Park officials said what usually gets people in trouble is the warmer temperatures and lack of water.

With the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend ahead, park officials are hoping someone will see something, so they can narrow their search area.

Henderson said the hikers are in a desert environment at about five-thousand feet.

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