WASHINGTON -
The two men are not quitters. That is why friends are so certain that Neal Peckens and Jason Hiser, both 32 years old, will be back with their families soon.
"It's hard to wait, but we're staying very positive," says Katie Newbold, a colleague of Peckens. "His family is staying very positive and we believe they'll be coming home soon."
Peckens grew up in western Maryland and now lives in Herndon, Va. He works as a veterinary cardiologist at Chesapeake Veterinary Cardiology Associates in Vienna.
"He's very compassionate," says Newbold. "He's very well liked by everybody that works with him and all of our clients. We've had a huge outpouring of support because of the person that he is."
Peckens and Hiser went to veterinary school together at Virginia Tech. The friends had gone hiking together out west in Glacier National Park. They were expected to fly home from Montana on Friday, but never boarded the plane.
After the two men were reported missing, their car was found in the park. There is already snow at high altitudes. Weather conditions have hampered the search.
You can see the thick fog in a photo snapped on Monday by a webcam at a spot in the park called Two Medicine. That is near where the men were scheduled to begin their hike on Tuesday. They haven't been seen since.
Searchers did find some tracks and also a fire ring in the area. They believe those may have been left behind by the missing hikers.
Both men are married. Peckens has a young child.
Back home, friends are putting together a webpage to raise money for the search. So far, $15,000 has been pledged.
Online:
Raise Money For Neal Peckens & Jason Hiser Search and Rescue Efforts
Jason Hiser and Neal Peckens (right)
