Search Ends For Missing Snowboarders

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, Wash. (AP) Authorities in Washington state say they're assuming three snowboarders missing in remote back country far from a ski area have not survived. <br/><br/>Pierce County sheriff's

Sunday, December 9th 2007, 2:13 pm

By: News On 6

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, Wash. (AP) Authorities in Washington state say they're assuming three snowboarders missing in remote back country far from a ski area have not survived.

Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer says all possibilities have been exhausted and the search for the three has been called off.

Officials say 26-year-old Kevin Carter, 29-year-old Devlin Williams and 41-year-old Phillip Hollins started their trip nine days ago with plans to return home last Sunday.

Searchers found a makeshift camp Thursday but no sign of the three Seattle men. The sheriff's spokesman says there were snow slides in the area, and although at least one of the men was believed to be carrying a locator beacon, no signal was detected.