Rocky Mountain National Park – More than 100 people resumed a search today for a park ranger missing since last week after leaving to patrol some of the rugged backcountry in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Park officials expected about 85 people to help search for Jeff Christensen, but the numbers swelled to 125 as volunteers and National Park Service employees from other areas showed up.
“We’re pretty amazed at the outpouring of support that we’ve received on this,” park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson said.
The search started Saturday after Christensen didn’t report for work. He was last seen Friday morning at the Chapin Pass Trailhead as he prepared for a routine patrol in the Mummy Range, a remote area that has few trails.
The area ranges in elevation from 10,600 feet to more than 13,000 feet.
Christensen, 31, who lives in Fraser, had a radio, but hadn’t contacted park staff. He didn’t plan to spend Friday night in the park, but had backpack equipped with various gear, park officials said.
About 50 people, some with rescue dogs, and two helicopters scoured the area Sunday. Patterson said helicopters would fly over the area again today as searchers concentrate on steep terrain along the east side of Christensen’s intended route.
A five-member team of Park Service specialists was expected to arrive later today or Tuesday to help coordinate the search.
Christensen has been a park ranger for four seasons. He also is a ski patrol member at the nearby Winter Park ski area.
