UPDATE: The local police recovered Carol’s body on Wed, 6 Nov 2013. The news was announced by Carol's grandson, Simon, via Facebook: "I am very sad to announce that French authorities recovered Carol’s body this morning, near to where her car was found a few days ago. There are no further details from the police at the moment".
A British hiker has been missing since Sun, 27 Oct 2013, in the Mieussy area, not far from Bonneville in the Haute-Savoie.
Carol Sheridan (73), 1.67m, usually sporting glasses and short hair, was last seen driving away from her home in the village of Habère-Poche.
It is understood she was venturing out for a hike in the surrounding countryside. This is a frequent part of Carol's life. She hikes alone regularly, usually driving her car to a chosen base them taking a circuitous or 'out and return' route on foot.
Confusing reports have been released in the media. Some claim that Carol's car has been found, on 4 Nov, citing different locations; but the family disputes these claims.
It is understood that Carol was driving a black Fiat Panda 4x4 with the license plate AZ52 2AP.
The Chamonix PGHM are constantly reminding high mountain adventurers to tell someone where they are planning to go. People may think this is wise in the high mountains, but its equally prudent in the medium mountains, particularly in more remote areas. The local Gendarmerie and rescue services have been facing a difficult task, because no-one seems to know in which vicinity to despatch the search teams.
By the evening of 5 Nov the status of the search is unknown. It is possible that the search has been down-graded or called off altogether.
Carol Sheridan, originally from Salford, is a retired teacher who has been living in Habère-Poche, of the Haute Savoie, France since 2011. Usually, she is in regular contact with her family and friends.
Since Sun 27 Oct 2013, around 1pm, no one has heard from her or been able to contact her.
Carol's daughter, Fiona Conyers, who lives in New Zealand, has coordinated a poster campaign, informed French radio stations and local people from the village. Now she is reaching out to the online mountain community, with whom she is very familiar.
As Carol is a British national, the Foreign Office in London is purported to be providing consular assistance to the family.
Access the facebook page or call +44 800 098 8485 if you have any valuable information about Carol.
