‘It is brutal terrain’: Norwegian hiker still missing in northern Manitoba

The grassroots search for a missing hiker in Manitoba’s north has come to an end – without answers.

Community members from Ontario have been searching for Norwegian explorer Steffen Skjottelvik.

Skjottelvik was hiking from Fort Severn, Ont., to York Factory, Man., — a stretch of more than 300 kilometres — as part of his expedition to reach Alaska from James Bay.

According to Facebook posts, Skjottelvik made contact with friends from Fort Severn on Aug. 14. The posts say he thought he’d arrive at York Factory in six hours. But he never did.

One of his two dogs did reach the destination. Another dog that locals believe to be his second dog appeared back in Fort Severn this week.

Community searcher Angus Miles provides updates on his Facebook page but did not yet want to speak to reporters. He says costs were adding up too fast to continue the search.

“We tried. We tried everything we could,” Miles said in a video. “At this point, I don’t really want to talk about anything else. We’re tired. We’re exhausted. Both mentally and physically.”

In a video posted Monday, Miles recounted finding tracks near a bog but said helicopter searches yielded nothing.

“It is brutal terrain. Lots of muskeg, creeks. It’s not easy.”

Miles questioned the RCMP, who he said hadn’t joined the effort.

“It’s just us, nobody’s here helping us. No RCMP, no Conservation, no nothing,” Miles said.

RCMP say an officer arrived Monday and conducted drone searches late into the evening that continued Tuesday.

Skjottelvik’s mother, Gry Skjottelvik, didn’t respond to requests for an interview but posted about her son on Facebook Tuesday.

“Thinking about how grateful I am for all the thoughtfulness and support,” Gry wrote in Norwegian. “It’s what keeps us going. But also the thought of all the challenges that Steffen has already overcome on this trip. In addition, all the amazing nature experiences he has told us about along the way. He is on the journey of his life, something he has dreamed of for many years. He has had the will and courage to go towards his dream. A role model for many.

“I know and have faith that he can fix anything he wants! I know that no matter where he is, he wants us to have faith in him. Good thoughts are helping him now.”