A solo hiker missing at high altitude in Rocky Mountain National Park has been located and is in good condition, park officials said.
Boyd Severson, 56, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, left early Monday morning from the Lawn Lake Trailhead for a climb to the summit of 13,425-foot Mummy Mountain. His plan was to return to the trailhead by 5:30 p.m. Monday, where his wife would be waiting for him.
He never showed, and his wife called park rangers around 8 p.m. Severson, who was hiking alone, is considered an experienced hiker and familiar with the area.
Severson was found hiking along the Lawn Lake trailhead by searchers at 6:30 p.m. this evening, said Park spokesman Larry Frederick. Severson will hike out tonight to be reunited with his wife and family.
The park had severe weather conditions Sunday and Monday, including a white-out and blizzard conditions above 11,000 feet Monday. About 3 inches of snow blanketed the area above the 11,000-foot tree line, he said, and Trail Ridge Road was closed Sunday until it could be plowed open today.
“He was well-prepared for a day hike but not for an overnight,” Frederick said.
Severson had a GPS unit with extra batteries, a map and a BlackBerry with him. He e-mailed a friend three times Monday, updating him about his climb to the summit. The last message was sent at 12:30 p.m., when he reported he was at 12,500 feet, roughly a quarter mile from the summit. He said he didn’t want to turn around because he was so close to the summit.
His cellphone wasn’t working, which is common in that area. Attempts to e-mail him failed.
Today’s weather is clear and sunny, Frederick said. A helicopter is searching the area for Severson, as well as three search-and-rescue teams, including two dogs, on the ground.
Staff writer Mike McPhee can be reached at mmcphee@denverpost.com or by calling 303-954-1409.
