Update Oct. 12, 2023: Rocky Mountain National Park officials announced broad-scale search efforts for Chad Pallansch have been suspended and the
A portion of Rocky Mountain National Park will close Thursday night as federal, state and local search and rescue crews continue looking for Chad Pallansch, 49, of Fort Collins, who was reported missing in the park Sept. 28.
Pallansch was last heard from around noon on Sept. 27 when he was near the summit of Mount Alice, according to park officials. Park rangers found his car still parked at the North Inlet Trailhead near Grand Lake, where he started his planned 28-mile trek.
Snow, ice and wind at high elevations have hindered ground search efforts, but teams continued to investigate and review aerial photographs, according to park officials. Crews were also conducting helicopter flights on Thursday to find landing sites for ground searchers and dog teams.
A portion of the park from Mount Alice to McHenry’s Peak will be closed starting at 6 p.m. Thursday to minimize scent distractions for dog teams that are expected to be flown in on Friday, according to park officials.
The closure includes Black Lake, Lion Lake 1, Lion Lake 2 and Snowbank Lake.
Pallansch is described as being white; 5 feet, 7 inches tall; 155 pounds; with brown hair and blue eyes. He is likely wearing a black ultralight jacket, black running shorts or leggings and a grey fanny pack. Anyone who may have seen or knows Pallansch should call the investigation tip line at 888-653-0009 or email nps_isb@nps.gov.
Authorities also ask that anyone who was in the areas of North Inlet and East Inlet Trails, Mount Alice, Black Lake, Upper Glacier Gorge area, Thunder Lake, Lion Lakes, Sandbeach Lake, Boulder-Grand Pass, Lowell Peak, McHenry’s Peak, Arrowhead, Thatchtop, Stone Man Pass, Chiefs Head Peak, west ridge of Pagoda, Andrews Glacier, Upper Chaos Canyon, and Tyndall Glacier areas on Sept. 27 to contact the investigative team.
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