by Michael Marley
Finally, search and rescue teams looking for missing mountain climber John B. Arum, son of legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum, may have some reason for a happy conclusion.
Kerry Olson, spokeswoman for North Cascades National Park in Washington State, reported to me that authorities found the environmental and tribal lawyer's backpack somewhere near the summit of Storm King.
Further, Olson said, the backpack has conclusively been identified as the one the promoter's son took on his trip from which he was supposed to return on Sunday. Family members reported him missin on Monday and his father rushed from Los Angeles to Seattle to get involved in the desperate hunt.
"His backpack was found and then identified as his about 900 feet below the 7400 foot summit of Storm King Mountain," Olson told me about 9:40 am, PDT, on Thursday.
"The aerial (two helicopters) and ground search teams looked until sundown last night and are back at it today. They think that he intentionally placed the backpack along the trail to the summit."
Olson said the search area has now been narrowed to the summit area and other high points nearby or what she described as "1500 acre area now."
Olson said the backpack was found at approximately 5 pm, PDT.
"It was then conslusively identified as belonging to Mr. Arum."
Bob Arum and current wife, Lovee, are believed to be at the base of the mountain with some workers involved in the continuing search.
The promoter turned over emceeing duties for a Margarito-Pacquiao press conference Wednesday in New York and Friday at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Tx., to his stepson and Top Rank president Todd duBoef.
John Arum is 49 years old while his father is age 78.
