Staunton man still missing in Shenandoah National Park after 5 days

In a rugged mountain area of the Shenandoah National Park that is reportedly notorious for rattlesnakes, 50-year-old Earl Funk of Staunton has not been heard from since Monday when he and a friend were hunting ginseng at Cedar Mountain.

Friends, search-and-rescue crews, Albemarle sheriff's personnel, and Park service personnel are still combing the treacherous terrain looking for the man described as knowledgable of the area. Family members reported he had been on that mountain since the age of 12 ... but an undisclosed health issue may have made this trip different.

The latest from the Shenandoah National Park service:

Friday, Oct 3, 2008

The search for Earl Funk, 50, of Staunton, Virginia, enters its fifth day on Friday. So far, no clues have been found regarding his possible whereabouts. Funk is described as a white male with brown hair and green eyes, 5’ 8” tall, who weighs approximately 145 pounds and was last seen wearing dark pants and a light shirt.

Over 70 employees and trained volunteers, including ground searchers and two dogs team, are currently involved in the search. The search is a joint operation between Shenandoah National Park and the Albemarle County Sheriff’s Office.

These agencies are currently being assisted by the Albemarle County Police Department, a Virginia State Police dog team, Dogs East, Blue and Gray Search and Rescue Dogs, Greene County Sheriff’s Office and Appalachian Search and Rescue.

Anyone with any information about Earl Funk is encouraged to call Shenandoah National Park at 1-800-732-0911. For additional information about the search and rescue operation, call 540-999-3300.

-Animal Shelter Link