Huntington Beach Hiker Reported Missing Is Found

HANCOCK SPRINGS, Utah — A Huntington Beach, Calif., man reported missing on a hiking trip in the southern Utah mountains has been found uninjured, authorities said.

Naftali Kotler, 37, who was born in Israel and who had trained in the Israeli army special forces, was found by Garfield County deputy sheriffs about 10 a.m. Monday.

Deputy Maxwell Jackson said Kotler and a friend, Taylor Rudd, also 37, and of Huntington Beach, were exploring the north face of Mt. Pennell when they became separated.

Kotler told the officers he was finally able to find his way back to where the two men had parked a truck at Hancock Springs.

Jackson said Kotler told searchers he had some matches and was able to build a fire and wait out a Memorial Day storm that dropped about an inch of snow.