THREE LAKES - The search for a missing outdoor survival expert from Three Lakes was called off by the Alaska State Troopers.

But his friends and family aren't ready to give up. Thomas Siebold taught survival skills at the Teaching Drum Outdoor School in Three Lakes.

For the last few months, he hiked in Alaska, but hasn't been seen since October. Then he missed his flight back home.

After nearly two weeks of searching, the troopers haven't found a single clue about Siebold’s whereabouts.

His colleagues at the Teaching Drum school will continue the search on their own. They've hired private pilots to search by air, and they're continuing to search on the ground. They’re hopeful that Seibold’s extensive survival skills have kept him alive, but they’re worried he may be injured.

Very cold conditions and just four hours of daylight in Alaska make the search even more difficult. The Teaching Drum school just opened a search fund at the 1st National Bank of Eagle River. The fund is called the Teaching Drum Outdoor School Recovery Effort for Thomas Siebold.

Searching by air cost thousands of dollars, but they say they simply cannot put a price on Thomas’s life.

To contribute to the search contact the 1st National Bank of Eagle River, they’ll be able to assist you.

Story By: Kailey Burton