Daming Xu, 63, a University of Oregon mathematics professor, disappeared after a solo hike on November 4, 2007. He was last seen near the summit of Olallie Mountain in the Three Sisters Wilderness around 1:30 p.m., reportedly in a hurry and leaving the peak shortly before beginning his descent. His wife reported him missing the next day when he failed to return.

Searchers found Xu’s white 2003 Chevrolet Impala on November 6 at the Olallie trailhead on Bear Flats, near Terwilliger Hot Springs. Inside the car were a heavier jacket, his cell phone, and part of a hiking guide book, 100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades. The other half of that book turned up on November 15 in the French Pete Creek drainage, miles from where he was last seen. Weather deteriorated after his hike, with rain, fog, and freezing temperatures, and authorities believe he may have become disoriented or injured; no further trace has been found despite extensive searches, including a Blackhawk helicopter with infrared and volunteer efforts in subsequent years.

If anyone hiked in the Olallie Mountain or French Pete Creek areas around November 4 to 15, 2007, or has information about Daming’s route that day, please come forward.