ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, Colo.—Rocky Mountain National Park rangers found a body believed to be a New Jersey man who has been missing for seven months on the park’s highest mountain, park officials said on May 30.
The body is believed to be 30-year-old Ryan Albert of Marlton, New Jersey, park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson said. Marlton was last seen Oct. 4 on the trail on Longs Peak, which reaches 14,259 feet above sea level.
Body on Colorado peak believed to be missing New Jersey man https://t.co/RSCflwByE7 pic.twitter.com/mLAHSOyAMu
— FOX 29 (@FOX29philly) May 31, 2019
Rangers found the body Thursday in deep snow in a steep, rocky ravine called the Trough. It was about 1,000 feet below a section of trail called the Ledges and about 2,000 feet below the summit.
“While patrolling down the section known as The Trough, rangers found a glove that matched the brand that Ryan Albert was believed to have been wearing,” according to a statement on the National Park Service (NPS) website.
A helicopter recovered the body Friday and it was taken to the Boulder County coroner for an autopsy and identification.
‘Search Efforts’
Rescue teams searched for Albert on foot and in the air.
The first days after the missing report, rescue teams worked through severe weather conditions and difficult terrains. The teams were able to reach the high sections of the mountains.
As the snow accumulation and ice continued to build at higher elevations, teams worked lower in the search area throughout the first week, authorities reported.
“A helicopter was also sent out in addition to ground teams, aerial footage was taken of areas suspected to find Ryan’s missing body, the footage was later reviewed by the Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members in the hopes of more information,” according to the statement.
Missing People in the Park
Two other people remain missing in the park.
Micah Tice, 20, of Las Vegas was last seen Nov. 24, on the Longs Peak trail. He was a student at the Air Force Academy preparatory school in Colorado Springs.
Park rangers would like to hear from anyone who has been in the Longs Peak area since Saturday morning, November 24, or who may have had contact with Micah Tice regarding his planned route on Longs Peak. Please call Rocky Mountain National Park at (970) 586-1204. pic.twitter.com/Mgm501c9g5
— U.S. Air Force Academy (@AF_Academy) November 28, 2018
James Pruitt, 70, of Etowah, Tennessee, was last heard from in late February.
Pruitt’s car was found at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, a popular starting point for hikes to a waterfall and scenic lakes.
RMNP sent out this picture of James Pruitt, 70, who has been missing since Thursday. Anybody who saw him or was in the Glacier Gorge and Bear Lake areas since Thursday is asked to call 970-586-1204. https://t.co/05Ewaj8Ivm pic.twitter.com/3FWuwyCDpn
— Denver7 News (@DenverChannel) March 5, 2019
Tips for Staying Safe
“Colorado fourteeners are gorgeous, but they can also be deadly. Since caution is key when attempting to summit these magnificent peaks, we reached out to Lloyd Athearn, executive director of the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, who offers the following ten tips for challenging Colorado fourteeners safely,” Westword reported.
NTD News staff contributed to this article.
