A Shelton-area man reported missing on Sunday was located alive on Tuesday afternoon after a search by law enforcement and search and rescue personnel.

Jeffrey Hinz, 57, was separated from friends while mushroom picking according to the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office near Mox Chehalis Road. Search and rescue personnel deployed that afternoon, said Undersheriff Kevin Schrader, searching for two days before locating Hinz, who was evaluated for exposure and possible hypothermia.

“Luckily for this one we had a pretty good location for where he was last seen,“ Schrader said. “That allowed us to refine the search area.”

Search dog teams from King, Kitsap and Pierce counties took part in the search, which involved dozens of personnel, Schrader said. Olympic Mountain Rescue, Pierce County 4 x 4, Washington State Department of Natural Resources and a Coast Guard helicopter and aircrew also took part.

Personnel were helping Hinz to clear the scene on Tuesday afternoon at press time, Schrader said.

“Let somebody know where you’re going. Dress for the weather and expect the worst. Try to take some sort of cellphone or whistle with you, and a flashlight,” Schrader said. “Let friends and family know where you’re going and when you’re expected home.”

Mushroom pickers can be a frequent origin for search and rescue calls by the nature of the landscape they forage in, Schrader said.

“Often times, mushroom pickers seems to be our biggest missing cases,” Schrader said. “It’s in dark forested areas and it gets dark on them and they can’t find their way out.”

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.