THE partner of missing Durham hiker Esther Dingley has been searching woodland in the Pyrenees alone whilst waiting for snow to clear so official searches can resume.

Miss Dingley, 37, had been walking solo in the mountains near the Spanish and French border and was last seen on November 22, 2020.

Her boyfriend Dan Colegate was house-sitting at a French farmhouse and reported her missing on November 25, after she failed to return.

There have been extensive searches in both Spain and France but they had to be suspended in the spring due to bad weather in the mountains.

The Northern Echo: Esther Dingley was reported missing on November 25, after failing to return to her partner

In a statement at the weekend, Mr Colegate said: “The mountain rescue search for Esther in the Pyrenees has not yet officially resumed.

“In the last fortnight I have met with both the Spanish and French search and rescue units and both have confirmed that they intend to repeat their searches with all possible efforts, but only once the snow has completely cleared from the area in order that their activities can be effective and thorough.

“Unfortunately, due to the cold April weather in the region, the higher altitude portions of Esther's route close to Pic de Sauvegarde remain under a thick blanket of snow.

“That said, I have been in the area myself for the past few weeks and have been closely exploring the lower altitude portions of the region, paying particular attention to the woodlands immediately bordering her proposed route, possible alternative trails and also in the valley between her last known location and Benasque village.”

The Northern Echo:

The couple, who have been together for 19 years, met at Oxford University and lived in Durham before they set off travelling around Europe in a camper van six years ago.

Mr Colegate had previously said he thought it unlikely experienced trekker Ms Dingley had suffered and accident, and that he feared someone else was involved in her disappearance, he now sees it is possible.

He added: “Although I still find it very hard to understand why Esther was not found in November if she had suffered an accident, a feeling that deepens the more time I spend in the area, I will continue to search because it is all I can do.

“ I remain in regular contact with the authorities and I am recording all of my activities using a GPS device, passing this information to the police and search teams to assist their own planning when the time comes.

“I remain grateful for the support and the efforts of all of the many professionals involved in the search for Esther.

“It is not my place to comment on the specifics of their activities, but I am in no doubt that they have done and will continue to do all they can.”

The Northern Echo:

He thanked friends, family and the charity LBT Global which supports families of people missing overseas for their support.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the LBT Global hotline on +44 (0) 800 098 8485 or via WhatsApp on +44 (0) 7545 826 497, or through delta.ops@lbt.global.