A search for a missing person in the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve was scaled back Thursday because of snow and strong winds.
The search, which started Sunday, covers 14 square miles of rugged terrain in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area around Mount Herard, a 13,345-foot peak in the preserve, according to a National Park Service news release.
Snow and high winds have impacted the safety of search teams, the ability of search dogs and the operation of search flights, the park service said.
Search efforts began after park staffers noticed a vehicle parked and unattended for several days in the Sand Pit picnic area lot. The lot is used by some visitors as overnight parking to access backcountry areas.
A New York man was after spending five nights lost in the preserve.
The current missing person, who was not identified, entered the preserve May 8 but did not receive a backcountry permit and overnight parking pass, which would have established a travel route and planned return date.
Weather permitting, the search is scheduled to resume Monday.
