A New Hampshire hiker reported missing last week was found dead Monday near the summit of Pikes Peak, sheriff’s officials said.
Russell Hardy, 55, arrived in Colorado Springs on Tuesday, June 10, with plans to hike and explore Pikes Peak, .
Hardy was supposed to return home by Thursday, sheriff’s officials said. When he didn’t and couldn’t be reached, his family reported him missing.
The sheriff’s office used Flock license plate cameras and social media posts from Hardy to track the man to the Crags Trailhead, that hikers can use to summit Pikes Peak.
Deputies found his rental car at the trailhead, and other hikers reported seeing Hardy in the area at about 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, sheriff’s officials said.
The sheriff’s office and multiple search and rescue teams combed the area, using both drones and dogs to help search, but couldn’t find the New Hampshire man, according to the news release.
Then, at about noon Monday, another hiker found Hardy’s body near the summit of Pikes Peak, sheriff’s officials said.
“There is no indication of foul play,” sheriff’s officials said. “This appears to be a tragic outcome of a man confronting the challenges of nature.”
The search included more than 100 volunteers from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Teller County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service and Colorado Search and Rescue Association, sheriff’s officials said.
The El Paso County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause of death.
