Urgent search continues for missing hiker in RMNP

Brett Yager
·2 min read
1

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Search and Rescue (SAR) crews continue their search in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) for 23-year-old Lucas Macaj of Colorado Springs who was hiking Longs Peak on Sunday, May 12, and is now missing.

According to RMNP, on Wednesday, May 15, SAR crews skied into Hunter’s Creek to the base of Keplinger’s Coulier to search for the missing man. A dog team also searched the Longs Peak Trail to Battle Mountain Junction, and a third team hiked into the park’s Chasm Shelter near Chasm Lake to survey the area and planned to stay overnight.

PRIOR COVERAGE: Search for Colorado Springs man missing on Longs Peak

Teams were unable to enter the area by helicopter due to strong winds, and whiteout conditions, however, RMNP said a SAR team snowshoed above Black Lake to survey the area and no clues were found.

RMNP is asking anyone with information, if you may have seen Macaj or were in the following areas on May 12 to contact the National Park Service tip line at (888) 653-0009, you can remain anonymous. You can also submit tips online at www.nps.gov/ISB or email nps_isb@nps.gov.

  • Hunter’s Creek

  • Keplinger’s Coulier

  • Longs Peak Trail

  • Battle Mountain Junction

  • Chasm Shelter

  • Chasm Lake

  • the Loft

  • Longs Peak

  • Mount Meeker

  • Clark’s Arrow Route

  • Keyhole Route

  • Black Lake

  • The Ledges

  • The Trough

RMNP said Macaj was last heard from around 1 p.m. Sunday when he texted a friend to report reaching the summit of Longs Peak. Dangerous storms had moved into the higher elevations of the park, and by late that night, it was reported that he had not checked in again.

Early Monday morning, rangers confirmed that his car was still parked at the Longs Peak Trailhead and park officials said he is likely wearing a dark-colored top, tan or brown pants, khaki boots, and a black backpack. He may also be wearing a beanie and dark-colored gloves. Macaj is described as 5’9″ tall, weighing 155 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.

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