For the past seven days search teams have been scouring a rugged patch of bush in central western New South Wales.
They have been picking through jaggy scrub and traversing steep terrain looking for any signs of Esther Wallace who seemingly vanished while on a bushwalk on the morning of November 30.
Police have been told the 47-year-old mother had been visiting an area known as Federal Falls at Mount Canobolas near Orange to watch the sunrise with her partner.
They arrived on the mountain about 1am.
Seven hours later, Ms Wallace's partner raised the alarm after the pair had become separated on a walking track.
"As you can appreciate, the longer she's missing the less chance of finding her well," Acting Superintendent Gerard Lawson said.
"There's always that possibility she's been able to find her way off the mountain and she's elsewhere.
"If that's the case and people know where she is, please come forward and tell us, but there's reasons why we're concentrating our search there."
Family and friends of Ms Wallace have used social media to plead for help to find the much-loved local.
"Mum, I hope you're safe. Just contact any of us friends or family. We just want to know you're OK. We all are very worried. Love you always," her son Tyrone Stewart wrote.
Her daughter, Angel, posted, "I'm missing you so much, Mum".
A page called 'Where's Esther Wallace?' has also been set up.
Clothing found
During the search, a piece of clothing and other items have been discovered on the mountain, sparking hope of a breakthrough.
"We have been able to find a piece of clothing, of interest, but we can't confirm at this stage whether it is her clothing. Certainly we are having it tested at the moment," Acting Superintendent Lawson said.
"It is only speculation at the moment as to whether they're relevant.
"Some of those items have probably been there for several days or weeks and may not be connected to our search."
Police say they are focusing search efforts on the mountain, due to the information provided so far.
Acting Superintendent Lawson said Ms Wallace's partner was not being treated as a person of interest in their investigations.
"He's been very helpful with our enquiries," he said.
"He's provided a lot of information which has been able to help us where the search should be."
Police say the search will not continue indefinitely.
