No Sign of Into the Wild Fan After Air Search

A rancher searched an Oregon mountain yesterday via helicopter in hopes of tracking down Dustin Self, an Oklahoma teen and Into the Wild enthusiast who vanished a month ago. But Patty Jenkins couldn't find any sign of the 19-year-old or his green tent, the AP reports. With heavy winds due to let up, another search is planned for tomorrow. "We're worried sick," says his father. "I just hope he's alive."

His truck, which was discovered earlier this week, still contained his keys, computer, food, and GPS—but not his camping equipment. Self was a religious youth who was searching for meaning, according to his mother. In addition to testing his survival skills, he'd been seeking Oregon churches involved in a South American religion, his parents say. A gas station owner saw him last month; at the time, he wanted directions to Lakeview, Oregon, saying his GPS had misdirected him. But his truck was discovered on a different route. (More Into the Wild stories.)