All four Denver skiers who went missing during a backcountry ski trip near Aspen were found by rescue crews this morning.
At 11:46 this morning the men were found in the Dorchester Guard Station, located just outside of the Pitkin County in Gunnison County, according to Alex Burchetta, spokesman for the Pitkin County Sheriff Department.
“Everyone was found safe, sound and uninjured,” Burchetta said.
The station is located about 8 miles south of the Goodwin-Greene Hut where the four friends, identified as Robert Burns, Andrew Burns, Dan Sheeks and Matt Smith, were supposed to stay during a three night trip.
Burchetta said the men, all in their thirties, likely took shelter at the station after they got lost during a storm that brought 30 to 40 inches of snow and high avalanche danger to the area.
Crews did not know how long the men had been in the shelter.
Mountain Rescue Aspen and the Pitkin County Sheriff Department launched a search for the men yesterday afternoon after they did not return from their trip.
Police were notified by a concerned family member on Monday that the men may be overdue from their trip.
The hut is located about 11 miles south of Aspen, and can be reached via Richmond Ridge off the top of Aspen Mountain.
The men reserved the hut for the nights of March 26 -28, but told friends they would leave the backcountry on Monday.
Because of poor weather conditions, it was thought the men would likely stay at the hut Monday night and leave on Tuesday.
Following procedure, a note asking them to call the Sheriff’s Office was left on the party’s vehicle Monday night.
Crews used snowmobiles to search for the group, but air support was grounded throughout the search due to snowfall in the area.
Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794 or jsteffen@denverpost.com
