Lost Hiker on Mt Holy Cross

[Chicago Transplant]

Not sure if the peak was his objective or not, but luckily being on a 5-day backpack should at least leave him better prepared with supplies than most of the lost hikers on that peak. Tent, sleeping bag, stove, water filter etc are probably all in his arsenal of supplies so despite the snowfall the last few days, at least he has shelter. Most of the people get lost on day hikes and don't have any of that stuff. My friend is on the local SAR, I bet he is out there right now looking for James, I hope they find him soon!

[zoriloco]

I really hope he makes it out OK.

[Mel McKinney]

Not sure if the peak was his objective or not, but luckily being on a 5-day backpack should at least leave him better prepared with supplies than most of the lost hikers on that peak. Tent, sleeping bag, stove, water filter etc are probably all in his arsenal of supplies so despite the snowfall the last few days, at least he has shelter. Most of the people get lost on day hikes and don't have any of that stuff. My friend is on the local SAR, I bet he is out there right now looking for James, I hope they find him soon!

I have a friend on SAR who's back in town & on the search today. He also thinks it's encouraging that James has a pretty good arsenal of equipment. My friend was supposed to riding in the helicopter today. He was hoping that his "chopper ride history" would hold true and that the missing party would be found before he got the chance to ride. Boy, I hope they find him today and that the clear weather helps.

[PatsSox09]

It's gotta be pretty cold at night this time of year in the mountains, right?

Hope everything turns out well.

[Kapelmuur]

Reading that story sends a shiver down my spine as I was up on Holy Cross on the 3rd. Don't think I saw any solo backpackers. The Bermuda Triangle strikes again.

I was thinking the same thing about Holy Cross. Seems like a LOT of folks have gone missing up there over the years. It's a little bit creepy when you think about it.

Ironically, I ran into a woman up there that day who was training two search dogs and we struck up a conversation about that phenomenon and the unsolved case from 2005. It was an beautiful hike on an awesome day and yet...seems the place just has some bad juju.

[djkest]

Just heard about this on the news. It sounds like from the story that he has some experience backpacking, in the photo he has a pretty big bag. As someone previously mentioned, he should have a lot of gear with him to help him survive. I truely hope he is OK. Half tempted to take tomorrow off from work to help look.

Last time I packed up to help with a search effort, they found the missing hikers right when I was arriving at the trailhead. I was 25+ miles from where they were found. Still, something compels me to go look everytime I hear about something like this.

[mattpayne11]

Not sure if the peak was his objective or not, but luckily being on a 5-day backpack should at least leave him better prepared with supplies than most of the lost hikers on that peak. Tent, sleeping bag, stove, water filter etc are probably all in his arsenal of supplies so despite the snowfall the last few days, at least he has shelter. Most of the people get lost on day hikes and don't have any of that stuff. My friend is on the local SAR, I bet he is out there right now looking for James, I hope they find him soon!

That's what I was thinking too. I think with a GPS and good supplies, he has a good shot at survival. It sounds like he strayed off-route since they already covered his full planned route. I hope he is OK!

[whoopi_cat]

Still, something compels me to go look everytime I hear about something like this.

It's the fact that your soul isn't dead yet...That despite all the nastiness our human interactions engender, there's still goodness in the human heart as well. When the last person alive won't go and look any more, I hope the alien space bats come and fry us.

-el gato

[lindsey_b]

Does anyone have any updates on the search for James? I knew him when I lived in Chicago form his backpacking club and just heard about him missing last night.

I'm now live in Denver and I have called Vail Mountain Rescue early this morning to see if they need volunteers to hike some trails. I haven't gotten word back from them but was hoping to hear something soon so I can schedule to get off work if need be. I'm not familiar with search and rescue procedures but like most in Colorado have done my fare share of hiking and have a hard time sitting around if there is something I can do to help.

Thanks for any kind thoughts and prayers. James if a kind, fun loving kind of guy and always down for a good beer. If he's out there I hope he pulls through.

[slowhead]

The lost hiker is the son of a friend and coworker here in Estes Park. Just got back in town and found out the story, I certainly hope that the fellow's preparations carry him through. Almost certainly strayed off course somewhere, perhaps hiking too late into dusk one day. May this all have a good ending, his father is down there and part of the search effort.

[Mountainspirit]

[MtnHigh]

I got a call from a buddy on Vail Mtn SAR - he's spent the last two days on the search, and was heading back out to search again.

Dang, that mountain claims a lot of missing hikers. Glad he's at least prepared for the recent inclement weather.